Out of breath when i exercise what can i do

Exactly, I share the same problem, how can I excercise when I can't wLk into the next room without being breathless. The stairs just completly floor me.

I was the same when I was diagnosed, back in 1992 , and for years my husband used to say to he ,just sit down and leave everything to me ,as you only get out of breath and start coughing, so for years that's what I did,then In 2008 I had been in intensive care all over Christmas and new year with septasyma ,when I was well enough to be discharged , a team of nurses and physio's  came to see me ,and I was put under their care, they came out to see me twice. Week and phoned other days go see how I was, that was January / march 2008 ,by June I was feeling a lot better ,and the team said they were starting rehabilitation fitness classes at our local leasure centre ,would I be interested in going,,,,,that was the second best decision I made ( the first was to stop smoking in 1992) after all they had done for me I was more than willing to try anything they suggested,it was an 8 week course to test your fitness capabilities, like you I couldn't get up the stairs without being short of breath ,and they explained that just sitting about won't get the oxygen into your lungs or your blood,you need to try ,so I did,and I was amazed how much better my breathing was. ( oh by they way they encourage ,,,not bag or push you ) I then progressed to going into the gym ,and I progressed to doing 2 mike in the treadmill ,3mile on the bike,1000meters on the rower as well as some of the light weight machines,,,,yes I still have breathing problems,but they taught me to recognise a flare  up or chest infection, sadly last January I had a couple of falls and broke/smashed my wrist and fingers,which had to be operated on,  so I was unable to exersice ,so I missed a lot of gym days,and my fitness level dropped ,causing me to get a virus that attacked my chest / lungs,so again I was unable to exersice, now it's new year,and I've mad a promice to myself to get back my fitness ,so I can enjoy life again, at 68 ,I still want to enjoy life,and so I need to be fit,sadly I can no longer go abroad by plane as even with oxygen my levels still drop ,

anyway, my advise would be,YES DO THE EXERSICE ,And if possible ask your GP TO refer you to the COPD rehab nurses,they've saved my life on many many occasions, and YES the excersize is what you need to do, start by walking at your own pace round your garden or down your street ,time yourself,do it every day ,

another exersice is ,sit on a dinning chair and fold your arms ,now stand ,sit stand sit ,etc ,go on put your wife's mind at  rest ,,,give it a try ,slowly at first then build up ,

but do it ,and don't forget to ask your GP to refer you to the copd rehab nurses, you won't regret it ,I will be at our gym next Tuesday 10/15 prompt, 

Oh ,if you smoke ,,,,,,,DON'T, I gave up in 1992 when the consultant said the next one will kill you ,,,,,I never gad another one,,,,,thank god I listened to his advise,

and like the cold nurses said to me, they trained as specialist nurses in this field ,and believe me they know a whole lot more than some doctors, 

good luck ,,,,,and move your body, happy new year , 

 

Hello, Ive just completed my rehab sessions, and was informed to do sitting type exercises, and at a slow pace. They said not to wear myself out, but just go at a steady slow pace. But, if we do these exercises daily, then eventually, our lungs should get stronger, and we can do more harder exertion type exercises. But, is true that we dont have to wear ourselves out in order to firm up. Most of my exercises were using sitting down machines, such as the stationary bike, or similar. I was not allowed on the walking treadmill, since I cant walk very far without becoming very short of breath. I can still firm up and strengthen my lung muscles by doing sitting exercises.

If you are climbing stairs, breath in through your nose as you pick up your foot to the higher level, but as you rest your foot onto the higher level step, then exhale through the mouth only...repeat for next higher step (s).

I hope I could help some, but I cant walk very far without becoming SOB also. My COPD is severe, and I use a rollator, or wheel chair, but also oxygen 24 hrs a day.

Hello Steven..

My father had a particular form of COPD called IPF and so I have seen all these things happening from close quarters and now my half Brother also has a diagnosis of COPD but I dont know which one...

What Nanny1086 and brenda62546 have said is excellent... My father got involved with a weekly session run by a COPD specialist Nurse (maybe ask your specialist or their office if there is a local one...)  the excercises were to be done to whatever extent you felt able at your own stage of development and severity of COPD..                                             The general principle is, as I understand it, that with excercise the muscles become more efficient in their use and requirement of Oxygen and therefore you can do more than you might otherwise have been able... It does take time but as both Nanny1086 and brenda62546 have said it is well worth it and you will be pleasantly surprised I'm sure                                           Just my tuppence-worth but the other option will just be a slippery slope...

 

Reading the excellent posts I am thinking we have to excercise in order to get our lungs stronger. I have given up smoking which hAs been very hard but I do feel that if I have another cigarette it will take my last breath. Stil not officially diagnosed as yet as my resp nurse is waiting for the results if my heart scan and chest x Ray. But I know it's COPD for sure, although lung cancer has been playing on my mind. 

it's all very well being diagnosed with COPD but are you on any medication?. Any exercise you can manage to do will be of benefit to you. Your doctor should refer you to the local respiratory clinic where you will see a consultant and other specialists in the field. Don't worry too much, there's still lots that you can do and RPL554 is still to come.

Hi Steven,

I have the same problem living with COPD. What I have learned is that if you are still this breathless, then you have not found the right combination of medications. Exercise is important, but while it will not erase the COPD, it will train your body to be active using less oxygen, which makes it seem easier.

We are all different, but I will share with you what helps me, medication wise and other tips if you like. From birth I have suffered and from early adulthood function at 30%, having lost 70% lung function to permanent lung damage and have lived so far 56 years.

If I can be of any help, please let me know.

Wish you the best,

Dawn