Hi everyone. First time I've posted a message but would welcome some feedback. As a 71 year old male I've been treated for bronchiestasis for over 25 years but have kept very active including 10 mile walks in the Cheviot Hills every week. Last summer I contracted pneumonia. I finished my last 2 doses of antibiotics in July while walking the St Cuthbert's Way - 70 miles in 4 days. A few months later I noticed a drop in energy in my legs and now struggle to walk further than 4 miles. Tests at the GP surgery and appointments with a consultant proved fruitless. I was wondering if this could be a long term effect from the pneumonia, especially after reading of the experience of Ben Fogle in the national press. Any thoughts would be much appreciated as the reduction in physical activity has had a detrimental effect on my bronchiestasis. Many thanks.
Why do I lack energy in my legs? - Lung Conditions C...
Why do I lack energy in my legs?
I was just researching this topic as I have a friend who recently told me his legs felt heavy like lead weights when he walked. Eventually he was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease. He even had to deal with a blood clot in an artery. As they were trying to diagnose his symptoms there were several things they brought up. One of them was poor circulation.
A likely explanation. I have peripheral cardio vascular disease with very limited circulation from the waist down. Walking is extremely hard work and painful, it is a toss up between shortness of breath or my legs that forces me to stop after 10 mins and then rest for a minute, before persevering on again. It is only through being bloody-minded and determined, that I manage to get anywhere.
Well first of all awesome appreciation,respect and congratulations on your amazing walking achievements over the years. An absolute example of what keeps us bronchs going!I do feel that maybe doing 70 miles in 4 days whilst getting over pneumonia and taking the abs was pushing the anti and demanding a bit too much of your bronch lungs, especially when they had been assaulted by pneumonia. Anyway you seem to have gotten through it ok. As you say that the weakness in your legs came on some months after the pneumonia I doubt whether it is a direct result of it. Four miles is still not bad, but I appeciate not what you expect of yourself. Bronch is progressive, all beit usually slowly and getting to where you are in 25 yrs IS slowly. . As a lifetime bronch (70 now) we have to learn to pace ourselves. Pneumonia can take a long time to get over and it can leave a further weakness or damage. It is usually infections such as that which cause the bronch in the first place. Ben Fogle is a young man with healthy lungs who had a shock at what pneumonia does to you because he is not used to struggling against the debilitation of a condition such as ours. I appreciate that you do not wish to think that you are going down the slippery slope but age catches up with all of us. If you are getting breathlesness with the weakness I would suggest getting your heart checked.
Other than that, setting yourelf a daily programme, beginning with the distance and pace that you are comfortable with and working up may be a good idea. Even if it means 4 miles per day you will be keeping yourself and your lungs very fit. I hope that helped a but.
Thanks for your reply and your suggestion. I did decide last week that, rather than push myself too hard, I would start with 1-2 miles a day and see how it goes , hopefully increasing the distance over time.
Do let us know how it goes. You are a star!
Thanks for your positive comments. A couple of replies have mentioned poor circulation. I need to get this checked out, especially as I have some swelling in my lower legs and feet (especially on the lower right leg and foot) and I wonder if there could be a connection.
Yes definitely a good idea to get it checked out.
Hello, I was very interested to read your post as I had a similar problem over a year ago. I am 76 years old and played league level badminton up to the age of 60. I also love the outdoors and enjoy walking with a rambling group. So basically I got a lot of exercise. However when I began to experience this heaviness and weakness in my legs it was really upsetting. Around the same time I began to get dry itchy skin and leg pains. A new doctor suggested some blood tests and found I had kidney disease. He felt the pains were neuropathic and was going to refer me to a neurologist. At the time I was also on antidepressant tablets. I mentioned my symptoms on the Neuropathic Forum to see if anyone could help. A fantastic, very knowledgeable man who had suffered with both restless legs and neuropathy for many years replied. He said that one of the problems could be the anti depressants as the one I was taking... Citalopram can cause neuropathy. I checked this out and found it to be true so very gradually I came off them. The good news is I haven't had these pains since I finally came off them.I hope you get some answers to your problem as it can be very worrying. It does sound as if your problem may be circulatory. Our leg muscles need oxygen and if its not getting to the right places our legs feel heavy and fatigued just like yours do.
Cheers.
Interested to read this am on Citalopram but having neuropathic pain because of Nephrotic Syndrome. Did you take anything for this pain that helped?
Hi, As I mentioned, Citalopram can make neuropathic pain worse. However, there is a list of alternative anti depressants that dont do this. Why not do some research and discuss your findings with your doctor. It may well be Citalopram is not helping you with the pain. Nephrotic Syndrome, I believe is a kidney disorder. It can be caused by diabetes or could be a genetic defect. Also some medication can cause it. At the time of my pain and symptoms the doctor was still trying to work out what my problem was and I found taking 2 co codamol a couple of times a day helped with the pain. I know that there are stronger painkillers available if the pain is unbearable such as Tramadol, Amatryptaline, Pregabalin, Gaberpentin to name just some. I found using an anti inflammatory gel helped too. I would rub it in liberally to my limbs when needed. The best one is Capzasin but unfortunately appears to be unavailable at the moment as the chemist is finding it difficult getting it. The doctor has now prescribed Phorpain which is an Ibuprofen Gel Maximum strength. Hope this helps.
Thank you very helpful
Thanks. Interesting you refer to circulation.
Like you I enjoy the great outdoors and the dreadful leg pain and fatigue I experienced had a marked effect on my wellbeing. Not knowing what the problem was didn't help and I got little satisfaction from the regular doctors in my practice. It was a new doctor that took my concerns seriously and ordered the blood tests. Unfortunately I have found we have to be pro active ourselves to get information and hopefully, answers. Good luck and I hope you get the help you need.
I am awestruck at your walking achievements. 4 miles is still pretty good. Sounds like you are going to listen to your body and hopefully will gradually raise your fitness level. Good luck.🍀
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