What kind of exercise

[PerfectBlue]

Hi. My father was diagnosed with emphysema last March 2017, along with this are bronchiecstasis and interstitial lung disease. I am wondering what kind of exercise he can safely do and how frequent. Currently,the doctor said she is not giving any medication since she has not seen any manifestation that needs medicine. I really want my father to live many more years, please help. Thank you very much.

[Hidden]

Hi there PerfectBlue. What a lovely caring daughter you are. I have bronchiectasis so I will talk about that and there are many very experienced COPD people whom I am sure will be along to talk about living with emphysema

As far as bronch is concerned make sure that your Father gets rid of any mucus on his lungs every day, stays away from other people's smoke and germs and make sure that any exacerbation (infection) that he gets in his lungs is treated immediately with the correct antibiotic in the strong enough dose for long enough.

As far as exercise goes he can do whatever and as much as he is comfortable with. Everything from walking the dog to football!

I hope that your Dad continues to have a happy and full life with you all for a long time to come.

[PerfectBlue in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much littlepom. the bleeding he experienced before is somehow traumatic that is why i am worried to allow him to do physical activities. but since i read here that exercise really helps, i will encourage him now to take longer walks.

You know, sometimes we feel alone in this battle. It feels really comforting to read and hear suggestions from people who are experiencing thesame.

God bless you Littlepom.

Thanks again.

[stone-UK]

Hi

Ask your GP, or Respitory Nurse to refer your father for pulmonary rehablitation course, one hour exercise one hour education.twice weekly for six weeks. Exercises are catered to the needs and capabilities of the patient.

[PerfectBlue in reply to stone-UK]

Oh thank you,i did not know there is such thing,very helpful to me sir. godbless

[stone-UK in reply to PerfectBlue]

Hi

Could also look at any Breath Easy Groups in your area.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Type you post code in box,

[PerfectBlue in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you for this. will check this out .

[Badbessie]

Hi I have emphysema as others have stated exercise is perhaps the best thing your father can do. But first get him checked out to make sure he is safe. In my area there are various groups that the GP can refer you too. Also let him build up slowly most people are surprised how much they can achieve.

[PerfectBlue in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you so much, this will be our next agenda on the next doctor's appointment

[Badbessie in reply to PerfectBlue]

By the way I am 58 with moderate Copd. I have been walking and jogging between 3000 to 5000m daily. Also remember that people who have Copd can use a lot of extra calories just breathing so keep an eye on your Dad's weight. Take care.

[PerfectBlue in reply to Badbessie]

My father is 74 yo, 177 cm, 158 lbs, will encourage him to walk (for starter). You dont experience difficulty in breathing when exercising? thanks so much

[Badbessie in reply to PerfectBlue]

Your Dad sounds about right weight wise. After being checked out I started doing short walks and then increasing distance and speed but not at the same time. I do get out of breath when I jog or go at a greater pace than 700m in six minutes. But getting slightly out of breath is good for you. The big danger when exercising is your oxygen saturations dropping. I brought a pulse oximeter of Amazon which I use whilst I am exercising.

[PerfectBlue in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks. i would recommend that to him. He has a pulse oxymeter too, his average O2 level is around 94 to 97, will bring it always during his activities specially outdoors. thanks for the advice.

[Jettace]

Hi perfect Blue

I havnt been here for sometime but it's a great site for information along with some great people ...I have pretty much the same carbon copy symptoms as your father ...Im aged 52 I work out with heavy weights 5 days a week an and do 10 kms runs 4 days a week ...I take no medicene I'm classed as mild the more excercise your father can do the better an will benefit him greatly as it has me ....Don't worry too much I'm sure he has many great years of good health ahead ...Regards Wes

[PerfectBlue in reply to Jettace]

Hi sir! thank you so much. your words are really encouraging and motivating. I read each response to my father and he appreciates it so much. he is 74 y.o. , maybe i am a little scared of the exercise because of the bronchiecstasis, but since you said your symptoms same as him maybe then it will work with him too... its good season here in Manila also to exercise since it is no longer very hot unlike the past months.

Again thank you so much and stay healthy!

[Mike2117]

Surpprised your doctor has not recommended Symbicort turbohaler. I m 69 with copd diagnosis and the product has improved my quality of life!

[mrsmummy in reply to Mike2117]

We are all different Mike and what suits one may not suit another.

[PerfectBlue in reply to Mike2117]

Hi! thank younso much,i will try to read about Symbicort turbohaler and maybe I could ask doctor's opinion about it for the case of my father. thank you very much

[tdurant in reply to Mike2117]

Hi Mike,

I also use the Symbicort Turbuhaler, I don't know if it's going where it's supposed to go. It always feels like it's going into the back of my throat. Everyone has checked my technique and I am using it correctly, but it just doesn't feel like it. Does it feel like it's just hitting the back of your throats as well?

In addition to the Symbicort Turbuhaler, I also use Spiriva.

[PerfectBlue in reply to tdurant]

Hi! may i know what is the effect of spiriva to you? my father's doctor said he could used it but not really recommended "for now". thanks so much.

[tdurant in reply to PerfectBlue]

Hi there PerfectBlue

Spiriva prevents bronchospasms. For me, it does just that, it keeps my airways open and bronchospasm free. It's a long acting bronchodilator that is only needed once a day. Before Spiriva I struggled to breathe, always felt like I was suffocating.

I have COPD and MAC. (Mycobacterium Avium) infection. In 3 more weeks it will be 1 yr that I quit smoking. At the moment we don't really know how much of my breathing problems are the copd or the mac.

[PerfectBlue in reply to tdurant]

Thanks for the helpful info, at least we have idea what spiriva does, have a great day

[Abigai6 in reply to Mike2117]

Re symbicor tturboinhaler how is d the best to use it. I can't C any difference