Do you do any exercise to improve you... - Lung Conditions C...
Do you do any exercise to improve your lung health? (tick all that apply)
479 VotersPlease select all that apply:
I have yoga dvds and I also try and walk each day. Swimming is good too, but quite tiring.I do deep breathing now and again also. It's easier in the Summer, but in the winter its more difficult.
I was at my local easy exercise class last week. Our affable physio. had set out the chairs in circles of six. The idea being that each ex. would be done by each group then passed onto the next. He did not take into account the unaffable unfriendliness of some of the members.
I and another sat with four empty chairs around us. Instead of them filling up as each member came in. they were dragged away without a by your leave or excuse me' to their own clique.
Till we were left in the middle of the floor two lonely people surrounded by happy chatting groups.
That's southerners for You !!! LOL.
I attend a cardiac rehab phase 4 course organised by the heart rehabilitation organisation for Berkshire (THROB). I find that this helps me more than the Pulmonary Rehab course I did which was organised by Wycombe general hospital.
I also try to walk 2 miles most days and I am a keen Ballroom Dancer
I go on a treadmill when I can even if it is only for a few minutes. I have a stepper at home and I also use an elastic strap to exercise sitting down. I walk outdoors when I am able to even if it is only a few yards, I do this every day.
I have a DVD produced by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. I exercise for 20 minutes, 4 times a week. The exercises on the DVD are similar to those that I did at Pulmonary Rehab.
I would like to try the airnergy machine,..as I think it would improve my lung condition and dry mac. degeneration,..which I have,..but I cannot afford the £2,900.00 for the machine,..will it ever be available on the NHS?,..anyone else have one of these machines ?...Joan
I have never heard of it what does it do please.
My pulmonary rehab group was a real turning point and I felt motivated to exercise to the best of my ability. I have tremendous support from my family which is a very big plus. I attend a chair-based t'ai chi class and try and walk. It doesn't matter how far or how fast as far as I'm concerned - it all helps, I'm sure.
In the winter I walk around a garden or shopping centre (nice and warm) or do some of the exercises from the rehab group.
the only things i exercise are my legs and feet i am not able to do anything else but i do my exercises on legs and feet on a daily basis but i still struggle with pain in my legs so i feel i am doing wrong however i still keep doing it my gps have said i have to sit with my feet up at all times however you just have to get on with it dont you so no good complaining ey lol
Weather permitting I walk my dog every day, and I do have an exercise bike for wet/cold days, though I don't enjoy using it, so really have to push myself to make the effort.
I am also lucky enough to start Pulmonary Rehab next week, so hope that will show me more enjoyable exercises to do at home.
That's good news. I'm in my second week, 3 sessions done so far and it's BRILLIANT they push you to get out of breath whatever your level and I found myself feeling great after sessions.
A little talk at the end. Yesterday there was a pulmonary nurse talking about every type of inhaler plus the latest thinking on them as well as all of the drugs we all use.
Most of us were using them wrongly! She was a mine of information.
I'm looking forward to this kick starting my metabolism and get me in to good habits to continue.
All the best with yours xxx
Great to feel like your doing something to help yourself isn't peeg. Keep it up and the improvements will keep coming.
On a good day, I try to do movements ["exercises" is too strong a term when one's oxygen saturation drops quickly] which were shown to me by an excellent osteopath, at my GP surgery. Because of chest pains and poor breathing I have over the years adopted a bad posture by raising shoulders and misusing thoracic accessory muscles, hence adding muscular pain to chronic lung problems. To me a winning combination is that of Pulmonary Rehap and Osteopathy. Osteopathic manipulations also help a great deal.
i have a treadmill and i swim when the pool is warm enough cant walk very far so i have to rest quite often when i am on the treadmill swimming is best though as the water supports the whole body
I attend pulmonary rehab. I have personal trainer for muscle strenthening, toning exercises. I play golf
I walk my dog daily & was doing so before being diagnosed. So I don't exercise to help with my condition as I was already doing it but still good for me nonetheless.
in my case COPD is secondary to another very disabling condition which is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome a genetic connective tissue disorder and so this and autonomic dysfunction has severely restricted the amount of exercise I am able to do and the forms that takes but I do do what I can when I can and if nothing else the rehab program had helped me learn how to breathe better and how to recover when breathing becomes problematic.
I have a friend who has that so i know quite a bit about it - its a horrible condition. So sorry you have it too.
I walk outside for 2.5 miles/day and do 50-100 squats/day. I also work in the garden. The walking course has some gentle hills. Going up uphill, I do enter hypoxia = down to 85% oxygen saturation. It pops back up to 90+ pretty quickly once the road levels out. I have been reading that intervals of hypoxia can help. I am Level 2 COPD/asthma due to smoking. I quit 3.5 years ago.
i go for walks everyday of the year even xmas day i did it for 24 years as we had our 2 dogs we lost our last one 12 months ago and i still walk the same places as i always did even on cold days i have to get out to get some fresh air i have had lung operations and i find a walk out round the parks and lakes are the best medication you can have and i meet lots of people as well somedays its hard going but i still enjoy it but i keep away from hills from marguarita
I go swimming 2or3 times a week. Although I can't do many lengths.
I do yoga,rowing machine,steps and weights every three days.
Just now been for a one mile walk, wind is dreadful so it was hard. When outdoors is difficult due to the weather I walk up and down stairs, can manage 4 up and downs without stopping but Im done in and PLB-ing like a steam train at the end. Also i try to do weights at home twice a week but often only manage once. I have asthma and stage 3 copd (37% fev1). Sometimes I do a round of PR type exercises but not doing this at present - should start again!
I have attended PR in the past & I am fortunate to be on my 3rd course. I also have exercise equipment at home which I try to use regularly I have a treadmill so I can walk when weather is bad. I have severe COPD and am on LTOT. I suffer oxygen desaturation when exercising so have to 'do a bit rest a bit then do a bit more'
Pete tries to do what he can by walking around, pottering in the garden and generally keeping moving. He cannot do too much but does his best.
I have just returned from a great session at my local indoor rock climbing wall,I select climbs on the less steep walls ,I only climb on a top rope ,held by a very reliable friend so I am able to stop and rest ie get my breath back at any time ,lots of rest times between climbs .
I have been a climber for nearly 50 years ,and can no longer climb out on real rock ,and am well enough to use the wall for a few weeks every year ,but I do enjoy it so much and feel the exercise does me the world of good both physically and mentally.
I try to exercise every day I have osteoarthritis in my rt knee ihad total knee replacement (Lt) knee last year I do all the exercises the physio taught me I walk our dog at last twice a week and am going to get back on my rowing machine knee permitting on and can manage moderate hills well on.its shopping and walking round town tha holiday we try to walk every day its shopping and walking round town that my lungs and knees do not like
I walk my dogs for between 30 and 90 mins a day depending on weather. I try to walk briskly enough to feel a bit out of breath, however I have osteoarthritis of hips (not too badly) so sometimes I walk quite slowly if they are playing up.
I use my Wii Fit Plus at home, I have a full sized allotment which I work but mainly I go to the local gym. I try to do 45 minutes of cardio vascular exercise 3 times a week. This is made up of 30 minutes treadmill, 10 minutes bike and 5 minutes rowing.
I attended a 10 week copd self-management course which helped with breathing exercises. I recently joined my local breathe easy group and am doing a sponsored walk. Weather permitting I walk and sometimes cycle a mile or two on a local cycle path - away from car fumes, a couple of times a week.
I attend an arthritis exercise class once a week run by a physiotherapist, I walk to get my papers every morning, do my own gardening and housework. I take my garden rubbish to the tip and make sure I walk for at least half an hour a day.
I have just finished PR classes and found it very beneficial, the girls in the Physio team were great and very encouraging, I do the exercises at home too and got some small ladies weights to use, I am lucky to have follow up maintanance once a week with the same team, all the proceeds go to breathe easy groups, I walk alot as I have a dog, makes me get up and go come rain or shine, life feels good at the moment, long may it last.
I was quite fit and used to go to keepfit classes 3 times a week until I was put on steroids for Polymyalgia.just over 2 ago. The pain went within weeks but after 3 month my muscles had weakened so much I couldnt continue the classes.
I've been off steroids for 6 wks now but because of a mobility problem I can't resume regular exercise yet.
I have stated a new job, 5 weeks ago, so, I have to cycle to/from work, I use the cycle path, to stay away from the traffic fumes, minimum 6 miles a day. I 'am feeling a lot fitter already, but, it could be a different story come the cold/winter weather!
we have exercises in our group meetings and i do them at home has well but i don't overdo it however my lung capacity has worsened and for some reason my weight is going up i think this is do to the steroids in my inhalers and when i get my chest infections. so had i not done any exercises haven knows what my weight would be
I avoid as much as I can now as I feel like i'm walking against the wind. I've always been a walker and an exerciser and this has come on gradually and its hard to come to terms with.
I'm struggling mentally and physically at the moment while I adjust. I'm sure that exercise will improve my outlook as well as my lungs.i'm open to all suggestions because I really want to go back to work. I'd like the support to from those of you who understand how i'm feeling at the moment.
I really feel for you. I've been feeling very down for some time trying to come to terms with the fact that life as I knew it is over and have worked out best ways of ending it.
Today I could weep for joy and relief. I don't know if it's the sun and heat or the fact that the PR course has shifted the serotonin in my brain. My joi de vie has returned, hallelujah!
I hope that you can find a way to get a mental lift from doing as much as you can. I thought I would never work again but find myself contemplating it now. Also, I must move from the place I love next year (have to pay back a hefty mortgage). It's really been getting me down, however I'm thinking more positively now.
I wish you all the very best Peeg
I went for a bronchoscopy two weeks ago as the breathing was just too much of a struggle. I was admitted following it and received 9 days of ivabx along with chest physio etc but at least I know what i'm dealing with now and why i've been so unwell , tired, sob, etc. Getting the mental lift will still be a challenge but I was hoping that by joining one of the breathe easy groups would be beneficial. I so want to return to work as well , for the money as well as social side of it and its a job that I love and living on benefits is going to be a huge challenge as well.There is a lot to think about though for all of us.. fighting off infections, long term medications and so on. Thank you for your reply. Hollyhockhattie
I have an exercise bicycle which I use 6 days a week hail or shine!
I also lift weights and try to walk, weather permitting, a mile or mile and a half each day.
My hobby is Photography, and I do a challenge on a Photographic forum called a 365, which means I take at least one photograph each day of the year and post it the same day.
I'm forced to keep active searching for a variety of subjects. I'm on my 3rd year now, and intend keeping it going as long as I can. It's a struggle at times but it certainly keeps me fitter than if I sat at home all day, it also keeps my brain very active
ive only just started do some of the exercises at home that i did the last time i went to pr ive got some of them up to 1 min now but there are some that i can only do about 30 secounds but i do quite a bit with dumbells and 10 min most days on a mini exercise bike
I go to the gym one hour twice a week, 30 min treadmill on incline of 5% an 4.5 speed I spend 10 min on bike 5 min on cross trainer I go on rowing machine with weights
I try to go for a walk every day. This is getting more difficult though.
I live near dunes and the beach/sea.The dunes are mostly grass and I manage to walk my dog wether permitting,however,it is becoming more difficult and my thoughts are leading to getting an electric powered scooter.I thought that maybe quitting smoking and the exercise with the salt air may have given me more time,I was wrong.
I did PR and took he advice home and I do 40-45 minutes of respiratory/ cardio exercises 4 days a week. I walk out every other day with varying degrees of success in terms o breathlessness. When the sun shines I do a bit of gardening and generally do "my share" of the housework, hoovering stairs, cleaning bathroom sweeping front garden etc. And today went shopping to Stratford Westfield to buy a new dinner jacket. The moths attacked my other one !
Adrian
I try to walk three times a week, and also go to the gym three times a week.
I have ways been a sports person so I don't really find it a problem.
I work for 4 hours in the evening and my job requires a fair bit of walking in that time. It's good exercise.
I do postural drainage exercises as recommended by hospital physio. About to start a PR course and try to do general exercises at home for a few minutes each day. Frequent infections and fatigue make this a very big effort.
I try to walk each day but only in fine weather, rain and cold just make me worse. Housework and light gardening. I also bowl regularly, (lawn bowls) which is good in the open air and walking and bending. I've never liked exercising just on its own but I do do the PR ones when I cannot get out.
Emmo
I have been on a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course which was a great help ,although they are very few courses available and its a long wait to get on one. I have a Treadmill at home as well as a sci-fit total exercise machine, i use a stepper and have weights as well, take my dog out every day for a walk, the wife does the gardening
I am only new at this (3 months since diagnosis) I still work so don't have much time for exercise(or energy) but I do walk at weekends and when it is nice weather, in the evenings. Local beech is great as are our Parks and Gardens. Need to find an exercise I can do at home in the evenings when it is raining.
I walk the dog three times a day, sometimes more.I'm waiting to start a PR course. I do a little bit of gardening and housework.I do breathing exercises every day and find they help a lot.
I ride a stationary bike for 30mins every morning have breakfast, then wait for about an hour before I do weights, Bench press 90kgs 3sets of 20 reps, curls 40kgs 3sets of 20 reps, triceps 50kgs 3sets of 20 reps and then on the tread mill for 30min at 10min intervals.
And by doing this it slows the progress of my COPD.
I have a mobile exercise bike in my box room which I can use when ever as they say,I would love to go swimming but need some one with me due to other disability.So I have to make do with regular walking to spite joint pains, small bouts of gardening and housework of course.
Because I have walking difficulties and I cannot do the usual exercises, I go to Aqua Aerobics. In the water I feel like everyone else and I am able to do all the exercises. It makes me feel very well and it obviously helps my heart health.
I struggle to walk to end of street but I do cycle on our many local cycle tracks, would like to do more but when ever I am not busy its raining or too windy.
I don't do much exercise. - yep, just about sums it up here.
Been waiting for PR since last October and despite several reminders and a re-visit to the hospital, still no sign of that getting going. I'll not bother chasing it up again. Can't afford a specialist instructor and our Breathe Easy group don't have anything organised.
Then again, I do exercise in my home, I get up, go to the loo, make a cuppa now and again, perhaps a sandwich - all exercise isn't it ? I go for walks/do other activities very wide-ranging option, I walk from my computer chair to my armchair, I walk to the kitchen, I climb the stairs now and again...
I don't do much exercise. - yep, just about sums it up here.
I attend a pr group and although it s an effort most times to get there it is worth it, I have severe emphysema and have oxygen for any walking or exercise I do. I have a small exercise bike that I use indoors and I borrow my daughters weights and also have the exercise bands. it is hard but I always feel better after making the effort.
I walk, a lot. I use a rollator with a seat & sit when i need to(often nowadays). However before i got ill & during stage 1 to 3 i used to hill walk for fun so i think my body is just accustomed to it not sure if i gain anything from it. I need upper body exercises. I went to the first of the rehabs and found all they did at this particular one was gentle walking in the park so didn't take up the option of the place. But i cant make the bed without o2! Im stage 4 29% emphysema & broncalitis o2 when needed. Really wish the cut backs in the nhs weren't taking away rehab. All we have is the tiny travelling one i just mentioned and doc says its cutbacks
I have bronchiectasis and cough a lot . I run if I can at least 20 miles a week. I get great benefit from this . It sometimes takes me a mile or so to get my breathing steady I try to pick off road routes that are quiet so I can cough away to my hearts content !
I use some of the exercises that have been modified from PR. I.e. up and down the bottom step, arm exercises using cans of soup or baked beans, relaxation exercises, breathing exercises bur mostly the warm up and cool down routines. I also use them before going on the dreaded Wii. Half an hour of tennis, boxing or cycling makes a big difference and if I tire out, I am home amongst my creature comforts.
I cannot do much exercise do to other illnesses
I do what I can, but have Rheumatoid Arthritis and exercise is not really possible as I am so sore all over. When I get a good day and exercise, then I have a bad day next day because I have done too much. I cannot win can I. However I know exercise really helps.
I do Pilates once a week, do a 5 miles walk once a week, do all the gardening, do all the bending and heavy lifting necessary in the house and shopping (my husband's disability doesn't allow him to do this). I also swim when I have the time.
I exercise every days - either on my stationary exercise bike - usually about 7-8 kms over 30 minutes or on the dreadmill (LOL) to 1 km in 25 minutes at 2 to 2.6 kph. I also walk the dog in the afternoons. I did PR a couple of years ago and it was very beneficial in giving the correct exercises and also education on nutrition etc. I would recommend it to everybody. I am at Stage 4 at between 18-25% lung function. I'll keep going until I can't any longer (LOL)
When given portable oxygen it was like Christmas had come. Went out walking only for it to run out. This really frightened me and makes me anxious now when I' m out walking. I new to all this home oxygen and I am feeling very lost.
I swim up to 3 times a week (trying to do a km each time) and I do try and get to the gym too. I mainly use the treadmill, although I try a little rowing too. At weekends I like to go for walks - not very long ones! That siad I feel I am lucky because I am still able to exercise and I can honestly say I feel much much better for it. It helps that I saw a respiratory physio who made me understand that feeling breathless shouldn't panic you into feeling even more breathless that in a controlled situation its actually beneficial.
Marie x
I have severe Osteophorosis so unable to excersie too much although with an upstairs bathroom and no loo downstairs, no faries, housework and ironing provides me with a fair bit as does living at the top of a very steep hill went out walking or shopping (We live town centre taxi would be a waste) and both myself and hubby non drivers. I have been on a list for re-hab classes since my discharge from hospital over 8 months ago but I understand they have problems locally with take up to run a class
My main excercise is dog walking. Some days I go over fields and up and down and even sometimes walk down to the beach (steep trail). If I am feeling fit enough I do walk back. Otherwise I get the Cliff Railway back.
Walking to and from work on a daily basis certainly keeps the heart active not to mention the lungs. Add to that running a Scout Troop and hiking (no more mountains though ) helps to keep me feeling young.
I am newly diagnosed with NSIP and/or DIP. I am starting a blog to tell people how I have been fairly successfully fighting these ILD diseases. I have had Polymyalgia Rheumatica for about 7 years, which is a connective tissue disease and may be related to the NSIP. I am not a smoker, but have been around a lot of art solvents, environmental toxins, hazards that may have contributed to the development of ILD which began for me in Oct./Nov. 2012 with walking pneumonia like symptoms followed by dyspnea or shortness of breath in December 2012. In March, after a preliminary diagnosis of ILD, I just happened to find out about The 5:2 Fast Diet on PBS by British physician, Michael Mosley. The diet is so easy to follow (and its not really a total fast, just a reduction in calories 2 days a week) and makes so much sense! I highly recommend it! It has helped me lose 20 pounds in 2 months! But the best thing about it, is that it is based on cutting edge research that shows that such a diet can lengthen your life! In addition, Michael Mosley has another program on PBS based on cutting edge research on Exercise which simply involves adding three 20 second spurts of all out exertion on a stationary bicycle or treadmill to your routine and it helps to change your metabolism, so that you burn more fat and lose weight! Both the diet and the exercise I have been able to do have certainly done something to change my metabolism, because over the last 2 months, I have lost 20 lbs. and have had almost all my symptoms of shortness of breath go away! I feel better than I have in 15 or 20 years!!! I want to share this with people who may also benefit from what I have been able to do, so I am starting a blog. The blog can be found at MyProactiveBattlewithILD.blogspot.com . Please come and check it out. I am new to this blogging stuff, so be patient, but I really want to let people know how I think we can beat this awful prognosis that we are faced with, and actually feel better and get well! He
re's hoping anyway. I go see an ILD specialist at Duke Medical Center in abut a week, so I'll be able to report on that upcoming visit soon on my blog, as well. As always, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FOR APPROVAL BEFORE TRYING THIS DIET OR EXERCISE PROGRAM! Hang in there everyone! Peace! --Artyness
Feel a bit of a fraud as my COPD is fortunately mild and could well have improved.I do "Go Active" walks run by an ex colleague on average once a week. Can find them a struggle though, the last one, in heat, left me impersonating a tomato, and I felt seriously dodgy when I went back after a break, was still smoking tobacco then though. They are fairly challenging (on average 3 miles at a brisk pace) but they push me, which is good. I do more leisurely walks too.
I play the saxophone with an amateur orchestra and enjoy singing. Both are good for breath control.
I've recently taken a break from work and above everything else it has highlighted how important good health, especially lung function, are if I am to enjoy life and my hobbies. The Go Active group in particular was awake up call, the youngest but least fit. The 70 and 80 year olds found it easier.
What a bloomin brilliant blog.
It's been a really good read to see what everyone does, really very encouraging.
Any newbies will be encouraged too.
A big thank you from me.
Hi all, I exercise everyday and I do push myself to the extreme. I wasn't too sure at first if I could do more harm than good but only good seems to have come of it so I'll keep pushing for even more improvement.
Today I walked roughly 5 miles and used my bus pass on 4 different routes.
I can't believe what I'm capable of on 25% lung gas exchange and on the transplant list. the lungs show no improvement but are stable, my improvement in body condition has been the key.
If your in any doubt that exercise works then I can from my own experience say that it does. Give it a go as you have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Tony.
In 2006 I was hospitalized and diagnosed with COPD (emphysema) since then I have retired and did little exercise as this was not part of any instruction or recommendation by any medical professional. Last year Aug 2012 I was again hospitalized with breathing problems. This time I saw a respiratory nurse among others who put me on a list to join a Pulmonary Rehabilitation group for a Twelve week course requiring two attendances each week.
That was in Jan 2013 and I wish I knew about this when first diagnosed. Exercise is the hidden secret to lessening the effects of COPD. When feeling ok (and not too hot), I now do all parts of exercises as listed in BLF exercise handbook and have progressed to doing 30 of each exercise using 2kg for arm exercises and 1/2 kg ankle weights.
My lungs have not really improved, but my fitness has, allowing me to do things without getting distressed and breathless as my new level of fitness demands less oxygen.
I believe all people with COPD should be offered a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course even those with minor problems - I wish I had been told of Pulmonary Rehabilitation six years ago when first diagnosed !
joined the BLF site in March 2013.
I'm in my 3rd week of PR course and it's made a huge difference to my fitness and therefore my sense of wellbeing & self esteem. I canot recommend it highly enough for changing your life around in enabling tomanage a lung condition.
1st session I could only walk the walk, 5th session I'm jogging the walk (with out having taken blue inhaler too)!
NB I've been going to my GP practice for 3 years with pneumonias and chronic bronchitis. Not one of them mentioned PR. It was at my annual asthma check (bi-annual as I totally misssed last years somehow) thet the respiratory nurse offered me PR.
Best thing ever.Soon I shall be oiling the bike PeeG
I hope newcomers will see this poll and be encouraged like I have been
Encourage (or bullied) by my wife I do tai chi, she makes sure I walk somewhere every day, I used to attend Yeovil Breathability so I could use their exercise machines. I personally find that it helps with my breathing but also being able to walk outside it helps with my sense of wellbeing.
Hi, I set up my own exercise club I have a trainer (not BLF approved) we meet weekly and have fun. We finance ourselves by a members donation, we knit and sell the items as boot sales. We have around 18 core members who turn up no matter what but sometimes we get as many as 30 turn up. We all feel it is doing us good by both getting out for a chat and exercising.
I go for a walk most days weather permitting, if unable then I do step ups in my home. In the Evening When Ann starts to watch her soaps I do my upper body strength exercises. Yes there is nothing worse, when you are trying to watch Coronation Street and some daft husband is doing step ups. Pulmonary Rehab was so special to me Yes it saved my life. Yes that how close I was to stepping off my cliff when my course started. Yes So much so I now go back and give a talk on the first day of a new course. Also Where ever I am invited to talk then I will Champion Pulmonary Rehab Yes the ones run in NHS Hospitals. Bless
I walk my dogs twice a day, for about 30 mins morning and evening.
I religiously clock up a hundred metres at a time on my cross-trainer 3 times a day - and walk up and down the stairs probably a dozen times a day (weak bladder).
I was sent by my GP for pulmonary rehab but the hospital refused to allow me to attend. This was because they wanted me to have further tests. My GP was not impressed as both her and the surgery chest clinic had already carried out the tests. I do not want to be in the middle of a war of politics between these people so I contacted WEB MD USA and followed their advice. I also went on a diet and with the help of GP joined a gym. I have now lost 35lbs and improved my walking speed.
I do 1mi treadmill 4-5 days a week and bicycle 1/2--1mi 2-3 days a week and I do all my housework and care for 7 animals ,go shopping. I considering all that activity as exercise.
I do 30 minutes of quite hard excersise on my bike.5 times a week,which is the recommended amount.
M life was very active years ago ;but am now confined to my home cannot say condition is worse not being active. I spent a large amount of the day practicing postural draining ,Its a problem I have been this way since I was nine months old after a bout of pneumonia am now 77 years old.
I'm at the gym every morning and exercise at home on a weekend, 20 mins vigorous interval training on the treadmill (sprinting, walking, sprinting, walking, jogging on incline etc.) then 30 mins on the weight machines. Guess I'm quite lucky that I'm newly diagnosed and still able to do so much, I'm striving to continue this for as long as I can and increase it, I'm also intending to return to playing football once I've fully recovered from knee surgery! I'm determined to fight this thing with every breath I have! (pardon the pun!!)
hello go for it man give it your all,ps what stage are you,carrotts
To be honest I'm not sure what stage I am, either the nurse didn't say or I didn't hear it, I seem to remember her saying that my lung function wasn't that bad but the spirometry results and age/smoking history indicated COPD. I only really notice it (getting out of breath/wheezing) during vigorous exercise and it's improving the more I push it. I'm wondering if it's worth getting a second opinion or seeing the GP rather than just the asthma nurse! Any thoughts??
hello you need a proper diagonise,see gp and get a scan at hospital done,gp referers you not some asthma nurse,what have they palmed you of with inhalers wise,i must have missed mild stage straight in at moderate,bernice
I've not used it since I first got it three months ago, when I get out of breath exercising I stop and then 30 secs/ 1 min later my breathing has returned to normal and I carry on!
good,but insist ,bernice
Do you take your symbicort and what dose is it? I am on symbicort 200/6 - 2 puffs twice a day. I was diagnosed COPD this year in July as moderate
Mine is also 200/6 and I take one hit twice a day.
hello as I said get proper diagnosed ye,dont play with this copd,and don't let asthma nurse either,
No I've been fine with it.
I try to do some of the exercises taught on PR course. I also have an exercise bike which I use sometimes. However now have pulmonary arterial hypertension as well as pulmonary fibrosis and since being in hospital with pneumonia in January am much more breathless than I was. Since developing PAH I feel less confident about getting out of breath.
Maggie44
although I do breathing exersises at home.
I live by the coast so I try to go for a walk most days, also I have found wi zumba (as long as no one else is about) lol. I can't always keep up with the dances but it does make me execise.
I was diagnosed at 61' two years ago. I bought a cycle, and now cycle 15-30 miles every other day. I can get seriously SOB on the hills, but recover quicker now than I used to. I.m doing a sixty miler next Sunday for BHF.
I walk about 6 times a week ,only about 20 mins at a time.l have a set of exercises l devised myself, alternate knee ups(from standing position) one leg with knee bent bought up to about hip high and down then the other, can be done as fast or slow as can manage at time, jog on spot(usually a fast walk rather than a jog),step ups which is stepping onto a step with one foot then the other then stepping off with one foot then the other, same applies, can be done as fast as can manage at time,sit ups(with ankle support) only cos l need to tone stomach muscles. now doing leg raises, lying down and raise one leg(not bent) about 4 inch from floor and hold then the other.Also do Pursed Lips Breathing and Abdominal breathing as well as the Huffs, about 4 times a day, about 4 breaths each except for huffs, only do two at a time.
I do tai chi and also strengthening exercise and weights. The Tai Chi in addition to excercising every muscle induces breathing control and helps a lot. Meditation helps as well
I also occaisionaly swim but find the chlorine attacks my breathing
I had pulmonary rehabilitation and joined a gym after. I started Taichi too. I had some DVD, then I went for classes. Then I felt dreadfully ill and was in hospital for three months and thought I was dying! My consultant picked that I had mycobacterium avium intracellulare (TB). I was distraught by this. I thought that nobody had TB these days, at least NOT in a "civilised" country!And there I had it.
I was discharged with an oxygen concentrator and bottles to go out with a preserver. I decided, since I was alive and out of hospital, to take charge of myself. I went to the gym with my oxygen bottle to the horror of the staff who wanted notes from my doctor and from the pulmonary nurse. I got that. After one month, I noticed I needed less oxygen with the bottle at the gym. After 2 months, I didn't need any oxygen equipment at all!
At the gym they bought some fantastic new equipment to target the different muscles. that was the best Christmas present! I feel the benefits of going for one hour three times a day.
I started with Qigong exercises (the 8 pieces of brocade) and incorporated some lung exercises to do at home as I get up. I reel in exercises and feel so happy to feel so much better. My consultant compared an old X-ray and now of my lungs. You could really see that I was ill, the lung picture was all fuzzy and the alveoli were swollen. Now the photo is clear, there's no presence of mucus at all. BRILLIANT!
go for gentle walk with dogs
I run on treadmill while doing the Buteyko breathing with short breath holds!!!!!it helps and I feel good.
I walk my dog on the local dunes and beaches.The sea air seems to help,possibly due to the salt in the air.I nearly always feel better after the walking and refreshed this is my fourth year from stopping smoking tobacco,however,mentally one ocasionaly gets the urge to have a smoke.I just think back to when I could not breath and convert the air's oxygen "very frightening "
hi, I walk on treadmill 30 min's aday on 2 liters of oxygen. I have had lung reduction 13 yrs ago., now very short of breath !
I have continued doing the exercises I learned at the PR course, at least 3 times a week, usually more.
Having a dog(a boarder collie) you need to take them out for a run.I have seen some dogs where it's owner keeps them in and it drives them crazy(possibly danger's to other !) Fortunately I live short distance from the beaches of Great Yarmouth and the North section being quite is ideal for taking you dog off lead for them to run free and in general enjoy themselves whilst I get exercise walking and I have the salt air being a natural cleanser for my lungs.Things have a way of working out sometimes !
Good luck everyone with COPD as winter is a difficult time and try to stay warm all
I do as many of the Pulmonary rehab exercises as I can still manage