Exercise

Well done Jacee for finding that. It says it all. I found out that sitting around makes my breathing worse.

Tessa

I may have found good advice (above), but I am bad about taking it. I have badly swollen ankles this week and I KNOW it is because I have not moved around enough, but my breathlessness is worse this week and I have really struggled. Anyone know of EASY exercises I can do to combat the ankle swelling? I already take 50mg of water tablets. Any advice gratefully received.

Jacee

Hi Jacee,

Sorry - I don't know of any specific exercises for swollen ankles other than the old 'foot circles', and I never gave those much credence for anything more than the slightest of swelling.

I mainly wanted to draw your attention to the fact that if your breathing noticeably worsens along with fluid retention you should get checked out by your GP (if you haven't already done so) just to be on the safe side. You need him to listen and check for fluid on your lungs, and if you haven't had one recently in connection to any fluid retention then he might want to arrange an ECG to check that your heart is not under stress. Also ask for a complete blood count to check your hematocrit levels, or better still make it a 'fasting' blood count so that it might pick up on any possible kidney problems too, just to be on the safe side. I realize that you may have done this already as you are on water tablets, in which case ignore me :oops:

The reason for such tests is precautionary as COPD often gives rise to 'co- morbidities' such as secondary polycythemia / pulmonary hypertension / Cor Pulmonale or kidney problems. So don't panic but do get it checked out if you haven't done so as its not worth 'chancing it'. The thing is that with any of the preceding problems it makes all the difference if they are found and 'nipped in the bud', and one of the first symptons is swollen ankles / legs and increased shortness of breath.

On the other hand you may just have swollen ankles of the 'everyday' variety.

When I had mine all checked last summer everything was fine except my hematocrit levels were at the highest end of normal. This signified that my body might be struggling a bit for oxygen but was 'borderline', and hey presto, I am now in need of 02. I also had a higher dose water tablet given me which did the trick (eventually) and I haven't needed any since finishing work. If I do get swollen ankles/legs again, particularly with more shortness of breath, I will ask for the checks all over again, even if the Doc thinks I'm a pain. What we have to remember is that those who are not aware of these things don't get a grip on them until far too late.

Well, thats enough gloomy talk for now. Hope your ankles are improving already and that you can ignore all this! Have a good 'Mothers Day', best wishes, Van.

Cheers Vanessa, I know these things (not the technical terms, but generally) though it does no harm to be reminded at times. I have copied and pasted your reply to my nurse. She should pick it up tomorrow (unless on leave) and if I don't hear from her over the next couple of days I will see GP. Thanks again

Jacee

Hi

I noticed that polycythemia is mentioned in this post, my daughter had this when she was born (they diluted her blood with a saline solution) does anybody know if this can occur again or if it is possibly genetic as wonder if i could be more subseptible to this condition.

Thnks

Echo x

Hi Echo,

Polycythemia can happen any number of times. It is the overproduction of red blood cells (an \"elevated hematocrit\" and is quite common with COPD as the body will produce more red blood cells to help combat a shortage of oxygen (as the red cells carry oxygen around the body, the body reasons that if you are short of oxygen it can compensate by making more oxygen carrying cells). It can also occur when excess red blood cells are produced as a result of an abnormality of the bone marrow, but I don't know much about this one. There are other causes of secondary polycythemia , include smoking, which you would need a medical degree to fully comprehend. One cause can be linked with problems during pregnancy and delivery. However, I have never read anything about it being hereditary. Hope this helps.

Jacee