Tired.

[jiffy]

I was diagnosed with COPD 6 months ago and am finding it very hard to come to terms with it I have been pushing my self to the limit trying to pretend it isn't there. But work has become really hard I have had to cut my hours down by half because of being so tired, I also have no energy people say exercise helps but I get so out of breath just doing simple things where it used to take me an hour to do things now takes me all day. So how can I exercise. please somebody help me to come to terms with this My lungs are working at 42% I'm so tired all the time x

[elian]

I'm another who who, as soon as I've got out of bed in the morning, is longing to go back but let me re-assure you on the exercise front jiffy, it really does work !

On Tuesday of last week I attended the first of a twelve session Pulmonary Rehab course. This is the second PRehab course I've been on and I asked to be referred again as I had benefitted so much from the first one two years ago.

Besides discussing (and listening to experts) diet, medication, psychological effect, and general wellbeing, we do 'circuit training'.

The first station is marching on the spot on a trampette and even jogging on it for those who can manage it.

Station 2 is Leg Extension - just sitting on a chair and lifting each leg alternately. Leg weights can be applied if wished.

Station 3 : A small pedal cycle machine. Still sitting we can pedal without resistance or with, whichever we choose.

Station 4 : Upright rowing. Standing bringing the arms up at the front, bending at the elbow, to touch the chin, as though rowing an upright boat

and so on and so forth for 12 stations. Each station is timed anywhere between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, depending on how we feel. None of it is what I would consider as 'strenuous'.

Usually when people mention exercise, they think of jogging, or treadmill, or weights. None of that is necessary and as Mr. Tesco says "Every little helps". Start slowly and work your way up - I'm sure you will soon start to feel the benefit.

If you haven't been on Pulmonary Rehab and would like more information, don't hesitate to send me a private message on here and I'll see if there's anything I can do to help you

Keep on keeping on ....

[Hidden]

Hi Jiffy, see if you can get referred to a respiratory clinic and get on a rehab course.

It is a hard thing to come to terms with but it must be done as all of us here have discovered.

Demand less of yourself - there was a time I ran upstairs out of habit now I cannot climb them and have not been out side since before Xmas. Exercise until you are a little short of breath and then stop and rest. Pursed breathing is excellent for controlling both your mind and your breathlessness.

Be aware that the sooner you can live/work with your/our condition the better you will feel.

Relax, don't forget what it is to smile, the more often the better - it is actually clinically good for you. I wish you luck. When your feeling better come back and tell us how you're doing.

All the best Jiffy,

Chris

[sitstand]

Getting a referral from your doctor for pulmonary rehabilitation will teach the exercises and breathing techniques which will improve the physical condition.

Learning with a group that understand your feelings is a great source of motivation many find friends that share experience and advice as we do here, use the search box at the top right for information on a subject.

Welcome into our group of friends

[KingoftheCocktails]

Try joining your local Breathe Easy group..this will give you an insight to various exercise

happenings in your area.However Pulmonary Rehab is the best place to get started for for controled monitored exercise.

Richard

[Gordon57]

I'm still waiting to start a PR course. Was supposed to be end of Jan, so I phoned, they said they would contact me when the next was starting at the end of Feb... Hmmm The hospital always call with number withheld and I tend to ignore any of those. I've told them, I even gave my mobile number instead, but they've not called that.

Everyone says how good these courses are and I'm anxious to make a start. I had some good help from the respiratory nurse to change my breathing pattern and that seems to stop me panting as much as I used to try and get all my words out before I took a breath, which was causing problems for me.

The tiredness and lack of exercise are well known to me. When I was working I could do so much then had to stop. I had to make sure I got in to the studio in plenty of time to get a drink and be sat down, ready to start talking after the news, at the start of my daily radio show. If I had to jump up to bring a parcel in I had to play a couple of songs to give myself time to get my breath back again.

I found that I was not very willing to get on with some of the DIY type jobs as I would soon feel shattered. Same at home, I'd get in and flop in a chair. I used to take the dog for a walk, I can't remember the last time I took her, it wears me out too easily.

It's accepting that you have to slow down, do less, rest more. It's not easy when your mind is telling you to get on with it but you know you can't. Having to plan things out to give yourself time to get somewhere, or to have something to eat. I was pleased as anything to have made myself some pancakes the other week, despite some flak about it at the time. What I hadn't put into the original blog was the time and effort it took, making sure I got everything together before I even started and then doing it in stages.

It will be the same when I go to the hospital for the PR, I need to sort out the bus times so I get there in plenty of time to have a rest and get my breath back. A bit silly turning up for exercise and being too puffed to do it ! Ours is 14 weeks, twice a week. That will be like going back to a full-time job for me!

One of the days is my wife's day off most weeks, so she says I can use the car. I know where to park, it's just getting a space in the disabled area at the hospital and making my way to the gym from there. On other days I'm warned that asking for 'hospital transport' isn't impossible, but to be prepared for a request to 'be ready' to be picked up anything after 7.30am, for a 2pm session...

[brooksju in reply to Gordon57]

Hi Gordon, I have been waiting to start PR coarse, they are so fully booked where I live, I was contacted in January but can't get 1st appointment until April 10th so I hope you don't have to wait so long, just shows how many people have lung problems, I can't wait to start after hearing so many good reports about how helpful the coarse is, I am able to take my dog for a walk daily and do feel better for it but as we say its a visious circle out in the cold but need the exercise,oh well carry on regardless, I hope you are well and don't wait too long for PR app, take care xx

Ju

[martin1945]

As I have written before - Exercise is the key towards coping with this disease as it gives you more stamina and as a consequence to exercise more. I don't look on exercise as a chore but rather a means towards slowing the progress of the Big E and also feeling better. (I always feel better after exercising). PR is one of the ways we can absorb the information we require to make things better both in terms of the type of exercise and also dietary needs and information on our medications. Relating to other PRers is a bonus as it proves that we are not alone!

[Dasis]

NHS Choices Pulmonary Rehabilitation

youtube.com/watch?v=JGzlcU9...(Not working as expected?)

[kimmy59]

Hello Jiffy

I finished my rehab end of January, I have got myself weights a mini cycle and leg weights my nurse told me 1/2 a day 5 five days I've kept to it so far. But like the others have said you need a rehab course first. I only have 30% and last year had double Pnuemonia, never thought I could do anything again.

So don't give up we all know how you feel.

Kim

[hamletvv]

Pulmonary Rehab course (supervised) essential -you'll be amazed after as little as 4 weeks and feeling fit as a flea at the end. Don't be put off by the equipment - it gets to be quite good fun. All the best.