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Exercise and copd

Posted , 4 users are following.

pauline18323
pauline18323

Hi I have COPD and have at last spirometry got 25 percent lung function this was 12 months ago so may even be less now, but my question is I have been told to get as much exercise as possible I would love some tips on this subject or comparisons as to which exercises can be done as I find just going about my daily chores are the best I can do walking is out of the question passed my own driveway. Would love to hear how others cope. Thanks 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • terri69807
    terri69807 pauline18323

    Posted

    Do what you can do regarding exercise.  Start small and increase if you are able.

    I've said this so many times on this forum that it's getting old - we are all different, what you can do I may not be able to do.  What Joe can do you may or may not be able to accomplish re exercise.  I don't even know what my percentage is re lung function and I don't care to know.  My Doc. knows and he knows I don't care to know what the number is, I'm just built that way.  If the best you can do right now is going about your daily chores, that's good enough for now.  If you can only walk to the end of your driveway right now, that's good enough for now.  Try and walk a few steps passed your driveway tomorrow or today and see how that goes.  It all starts with one step and just keep increasing as you are able to do.

    Good luck.  Breathe easy.  

  • breathless
    breathless pauline18323

    Posted

    Pauline, it would help to know where you live.  You have got to start someplace so if walking down your driveway is where you have begun, the walk it again.  You are not going to build up your strength by just stopping at that, so turn around and do it again.  

    I live in Texas and the temperatures from May thru end of Sept./Oct are horrendous.  115 on some days and the Humidity is off the charts...so I swim..and yes the water feels like a warmer bath, but I put a sprinkler over the top and do laps underwater.  I think 3 months ago I started with 4 laps...now I just keep going.  Then I continue in the water, doing leg exercises...raises and lifts.  pointing toes and flexing the toes back and lifting....  I can now do 20 plus laps and I only breath when I get to the end of the pool.  You have to push yourself.  Even if you are worn out, you can always take a nap.  (what I call a power nap)....this will help with your breathing.  You cannot sit idle and expect to build up your ability to exercise.  I made up my mind (and this is what you will have to do and set your own goals) to take a proactive approach to COPD and the advanced stage I am in, and get the most out of my life without retricting me from everything in life that I love.  I garden with my roses even though I am allergic to them, I help in the yard, I work in my pool and clean it....I try to find things that if I have to quit due to extreme temperatures, or whatever that I can get to a cool place, whether it's my car, or inside a business.  I want to live, so I am doing whatever I have to do to stay off the oxygen and enjoy life to the fullest.  My best advice is do things in moderations find what your passion is and start building from there.  I have confidence that if there are things YOU want to live for you will find a way to begin slowly and build your way up to your maximum medical improvement.  I know people who have been in Stage 4 (end stage) for over 14 years and working and continuing on with life.  You can do it.  God Bless, I will say a prayer for you....Breathless

     

    • terri69807
      terri69807 breathless

      Posted

      Great comment to pauline Breathless.  What sticks in my mind, maybe because it's towards the end of your comment, is that you have known people who have been in stage 4 for over 14 years and are working and continuing with life.  That's why I detest labels, labels of any kind, not just with respect to COPD.  An example that comes to mind is something along the lines of, if you keep telling a child over and over again how stupid they are and that they never will amount to much, guess what?  There is a strong possibility that the child will believe that he or she is stupid and will not amount to anything.  In my own case that did not happen.  I amounted to great heights.  (that is my attempt at humour).  Sure you get the drfit.  If someone is told that they are now in Stage 4 of COPD and if that person should start searching everything they can about what "that means" in all likelihood they are going to feel defeasted and overcome by all of the negativiity that can be associated with that diagnosis.  When, in reality, the reverse can be true, as with your friend.  Take care Breathless. 

       

    • breathless
      breathless terri69807

      Posted

      You are absolutely correct.  I have learned where THERE  IS BREATH THERE IS LIFE.   MY MOTTO IS ...." IF SOMEONE IS TOXIC TO ME WALK ON BY....I DON'T NEED IT...."  I WANT TO LIVE.  SO I KEEP A PRETTY TIGHT HOOLA HOOP AROUND MYSELF AND MY FAMILY....I DON'T NEED NEGATIVE THE WORLD IS FULL ENOUGH WITH THAT.  I WANT TO ENJOY ALL THAT THERE IS FOR ME TO ENJOY.  YOU TAKE CARE.  I'LL CATCH YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE....GOD BLESS....TERRI.

       

  • Vee2
    Vee2 pauline18323

    Posted

    Hi Pauline,

    You could request referral to a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, which is for those newly diagnosed or those who have deconditioned;

    At my worst before I attended PR but to try and prepare myself to attend PR this is what I would do.

    Each day minimum twice a day walk, inside or outside weather permitting if outside, you don't want to be doing it if very hot temperatures or very cold temperatures.  

    Walk for 1 min round trip twice daily. (or more if you feel you can)

    2nd week walk 2 mins round trip twice daily (or more)

    3 week 3 mins round trip and keep building on that.

    When you have reached 5 mins round trip you could try 10 paces leisurely, 5-10 paces briskly, repeat that for the 5 min duration. and build on that

    Just keep building on what you can do and over time you could reach 10 mins round trip, 15, mins and 20 mins.

    Also pursed lip breathing can help sustain you as you walk, slow down when breathlessness becomes too much, when you have recovered do a few more paces briskly.

    Do standing press ups against a closed door to strengthen you arms do 5-10 twice daily and improve on that over time.

    The PR course is a good starting place for ongoing exercise that you can do at home.

    Go to You tube and put in the search box the following:

    ?" An Introduction to Pulmonary Rehabilitation "

    " Understanding Pulmonary Rehabilitation Part 1"

    " Understanding Pulmonary Rehabilitation Part 2 "

    " Pulmonary Rehabilitation Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust "

    Best wishes V

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