Altitude Changes

[BgertieH]

My COPD has worsened since I was hospitalized for 6 days with influenza this past Feb. Use oxygen off and on now. We live on a town that is about 4200'. We went to the coast for a couple of days and didn't use oxygen. Came back home and breathing worsened. We then visited family for a week at about 2700' altitude and again, although not back to normal, I didn't use oxygen even after climbing stairs. We are looking into moving to a lower altitude. Also, my pulmonologist had me take a pulmonary function test as step one in referring me to a special class for those with breathing issues. I am told that it makes a difference and others have said it can be life changing. Any comments about altitude and special exercise class? Thanks!

[Jocopd]

Yes do the pulmonary rehab (special exercise class) and when your doing it remember you are not there to set speed records on the workouts. The exercises are designed to help build the core and other areas that people with COPD are weaker in than non COPD people. Do them slow and steady and practice the pursed lip breathing they should teach you also. After the class ends ( mine lasted 18 weeks) see if they will let you continue at a reduced fee. Or look up the exercises on utube and continue them at home. Less than an hour a day will help you tremendously even though you feel right now like you do not need extra help. But if you lay the foundation now it may help slow down the progression of COPD.

As to why you sometimes need oxygen and sometimes not - keep in mind that many times sob (shortness of breath) in COPD can be stress related. So if your on vacation and having fun and not thinking about that recent diagnosis then you might be breathing better for a time. Or it could be related to air quality. Meds? Its hard to say. I live in an altitude of around 2400 and we have huge amounts of people with COPD who move here thinking the dry air and lower altitude helps them and it may but there are many of us who were already here and have COPD. Others feel the thinner air when your living at a higher altitude is better since it has fewer allergens and floaty stuff that gets in your lungs.

[BgertieH in reply to Jocopd]

Thank you for all the info, helpful. I'm gearing myself to not get an A+ on my PFT test in a couple of weeks and will take your advice on the exercise class...slow and steady, basically!

[Mimibx3 in reply to Jocopd]

I live in Bend Oregon and I think altitude is around 3,000 ft and notice a huge difference at sea level, my breathing is much easier. When I go to the east coast in the summer even though I’m at sea level when it’s extremely hot and humid I do not do so well, I think most copd folks do best in milder weather at lower altitudes but that is hard to find year round in USA.

[BgertieH in reply to Mimibx3]

We stayed in Bend overnight on our way to Boise recently, which is only about 300' lower. Beautiful area. I noticed there are many exercises for COPD when I googled it. Going to start doing some of those prior to my PFT and see if it helps. I find that some days are better than others when temp, air quality and activities are not very different. Chalk it up to anxiety. Some days are more stressful than others!