Oxygen on excersion

Thank you John for replying. Yes they gave me six cylinders for use outdoors. Only used it once. Going to take a bit of time to get used to all of this. Are you on any oxygen? I also work but it's a sitting job so to just go from my car to work I am not out of breath so hopefully I can keep it this way. 

John I am going to register with the COPD clinic here in Canada that has an excercise program. I think it will be good for me and to meet others that are dealing with copd

Thankyou again John. It's very encouraging to be able to talk to someone that can relate. As far as your Mother that in itself gives me the encouragement to know I can still work and not have to use oxygen when at work. I can't wait to get into our local COPD excercise group that has trained nurses and a respirologist therapist. It's held at a medical centre here. Will keep you posted. 

Hi Robert! I also was shocked to find out that I needed oxygen. I was mortified. The decision was made when I did the walk test 2 weeks ago. I had to walk on the tread mill for as long as I could without oxygen. Then rest for a bit then repeat the test with oxygen. The results were faxed to my respirologist. I was put on oxygen only on excertion. Not at night sleeping nor sitting. Only when I am doing anything that caused excertion. Vaccummig, floors etc and going up and down stairs in my home. Other then that I don't use it nor do I intend to. I agree I don't want my lungs to depend on it. Thankyou for your reply. John has helped me very much as well with good input. Have a great day! 

Hi John. I am in OZ and things certainly seen to be somewhat different here.

The Australian Lung Foundation has a downloadable document on the site that details all you neeed to know about COPD and FLYING.

Its free to download. You could also have an ALTITUTE TEST carried out.

This is a specialist test conducted : usually : in a hospital under medical conditions by a   doctor. I would presume these can be carried out where you are.

It would tell you the amount of oxygen per min you would need when flying. Most poeple needing this use PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS. These can be hired or purchased. You would probably need a doctors certificate to obtain one.

It also need to be an approved unit by the International Airports Authoritys, so do just think about buying a " cheapy " off the net. they would not let you on. The biggest probem is travel insurance and this is an ongoing problem as more and more companies will not accept COPD even when declared as Pre Excisting.

If you have been in hospital in the previous 12 months! sorry no chance. 

Robert you hit the nail right on the head, we have a long way to go in the US with are Health Care System, technolgy seems to be there but spreading the knowledge is another area that needs some work, wait lets give you another drug that will work, I get more from the internet than any doctor I've talked to so far, I really do appreciate the input.

I have taken a few days to think about both comments from you and Robert. I went out and bought a oximeter. Took my average levels while resting. Between 95-96. On excertion without oxygen 88-90.heart rate higher if course on excertion. Obviously stats are a bit different from country to country. I don't see the respirologist that prescribed all of this until early March. I don't want to put myself in a position that I need to depend on oxygen unless I really need it. At this point it's used on an average of 1 hr a day. I admit my oxygen levels drop when going up and down stairs so then I use it. Just so confusing. Won't know until March. 

Hi Ellen. (Robert  Australia)

Firrstly I hope you are keeping well. I was somewhat ssuprised that you were using Oxygen 1  hour a day.? was that your Idea of the doctors.?

The problem with it is that it just a short term fix. Here (OZ) we are encouraged to undertake an excercise programe to improve upper lung capacity and also increase your overall fitness level.

It has the dauntng title of " Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programe.

Now, This is where the problem starts. ALL countrys seem to work completly differently and also may or may not have this type of program available where you are. Here we are encouraged to undertake this type of program which is usually supervised by qualified Physiotherapists and are, in the main FREE of charge.. In other countries it is often

" user Pays "

There are plenty of  sites that will explain excactly what happens to your lungs when you have COPD.

Study as much as you can and try and follow an excercise program. Most are desiged to keep you MOBILE and also increase the upper section of your lungs so they are abe to function to the maximum level given your condition.

I would like to make it quiet clear I AM NOT A DOCTOR NOR DO I HAVE ANY MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS. However, I have lived with this condition for years and I am happy to pass on the knowledge I have gained for various forums, information from specialist and doctors and the things that I have found work FOR ME.

At present my own reading are 92 to 94  and even now climbing stairs or long walks will and often drops this to 89 to 90.

Most importantly stay away from people who have any sort of infection!.

As your lung condition improves you WILL be able to manage without  the oxygen. Had you been in australia, you would not have been given it anyway with the readings you have, as it can make you become dependant upon it and your lungs just become lazy. 

Look at the RELATED information on the opposite side of this page.

The ones with the orange folders are by professional. Get as much knowledge about your complaint as you can, after all its your body and if you can't breath, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.

Good luck. I will be thinking of you.

Regards Robertgreynomad.

 

Thank you so much for your input. In answer to your question about oxygen that is the excertion thing. My levels resting are good. The only time I get winded is when I go upstairs. Or walking any distant. It was the 6 minute walk test that indicated I need a bit of oxygen on excertion. My levels on excertion on the test fell to the high 80's. I agree completely on a rehab program to which I am looking into. I don't want to depend on oxyge and would muc rather get into a program that my lungs would benefit from. It's such a pain dragging the long plastic tube just to go upstairs or heavy housework. I was just told that when oxygen levels fall into the 80s it is dangerous. That is why I was perscribed minimal oxygen. Please keep in touch. Yes I will do some reading. Thankyou sooooo very much

Ellen 

Robert I forgot to ask you if you get out of breath on long walks?. I know I do. I often will slow my pace down to make the walking more comfortable. I was given oxygen cylinders that fit into a backpack when I will be doing outside activities that would make me short winded. I have no problem walking a short distance. I don't use it at work, going to the grocery store.etc. I did purchase a finger monitor and often will check my levels when I am out and about. So far no serious indications that I need oxygen when doing any if this. 

Hi Ellen.

Yes I do get out of breath when out walking, BUT the trick is to work through it.  \There are breathing excercises that you can find on the net that will show you HOW to help when this happens.

DONT panick! there is a walking group that meets near me once a month and walks along the local river bank then into a coffee shop for the monthly chat to put the world to rights. ( sorry to say not my scene ) They are known as " THE HEAVY BREATHERS ). So you can see, most people with COPD do get short of breath on excertion. The trick is in learning how to control it and slow it down.

I noticed that you said it did not happen when you were shopping.? Where you pushing a shopping trolly ?. If you were, think about where your arms where and what that position did to your upper body posture.

I found that it changes how your lungs seem cope better because you are more upright.

My local physio suggested getting a wheeled walking aid with an attached seat. Felt like a complete idiot at first, BUT believe me it worked.

Now when I get out of breath I have my own seat and I take a short break to get my breath back.

You will find many stories like this across dozens of forums, the only advise I have at the moment is, wait until it is proven that you do infact have COPD. Have xrays/MRIs and then you will know for sure. They will also be able to give you an accurate figure that your lungs are capable of working at.

Mine are only 20% of the normal capacity, so as you can see, yes we can survive BUT we have to learn how to.

All this is fine, but please remember what I have already said. I am not a doctor or have any medical qualifications. And also, COPD is not the only lung condition that can cause these problems, so again, its a wait and see situation for you I'm afraid.

Do let us know how you get on.

regards  Robert.

?Robert again I thank you for all the information you have provided. As far as my position when pushing a grocery cart, I tend to lean a bit forwart almost as a support. Should I be trying to stand more straight? The company that supplies the oxygen just called and simply wants to come over to my home on Thursday just to check on my oxyen levels. I am going to write down some questions. I did read about pursed lip breathing when short of breath and when getting winded to stop, rest a bit and do this breathing the brings up my oxygen levels. I also have looked into our local Pulmanary Rehab Programe. The next one starts in March. I will be joining. I don't want to at this stage to have the oxygen a tempory fix. I want to engage in activities what will help my have the knowledge of how to improve my lung function. This advice I have gotten from you so I thank you for it. I do know that things a bit different from country to country. A few sites also have a bit different levels of oxyen levels to support the use of Oxygen on exercition. Yes mine drop to the middle to upper 80's but otherwise my levels are high. When I see my levels going down, then I stop what I am doing and breath and rest. I have been using the oxygen when going upstairs to the bedrooms. The last 3 nights I wanted to try not draging the hose upstairs with me. Its a pain because I have to let my husband know I am off to bed. He has to shut off the machine which is located on the main level. The last 3 nights I am able to go up 5 stairs then I take a 2 minute break. Then the same on the last 5 steps. So far the levels drop to 90-92 when taking a short break. Last night I was more aggressive and then my low reading was 89. Guess I have lots to learn and work out and I will. Thankyou again Robert.

Ellen from Canada

 

Hi Ellen.

Seems you are doing really well, congrates!

Just take your time and you will get stronger and your lungs will be able to cope with more excercise.

TREAT yourself to a treat when you achieve a step forward. NOT chocolate, seems to make things worse in my case,, dont really know why though ?

WELL DONE 

Regards  Bob

Hi John.

Just a quick follow up on a previous post.

Did you manage to get the info you needed about air travel and oxygen.? If not let me know and I will try and send it to you as an attachement, IF the forum allows that, if not will send the link to the australian lung foundation site.

Regards Robert

Thank you Robert

I was able to find the info on air travel and oxygen. That is very info filled site, I think the US should have something similiar, hope all is well I seem to be getting over the initial shock of the diagnosis which I still have not any type of stress test. That is set up for 3/1/17, thats staying on top of it, back to work and seems to be getting easier to adjust  each day. Who needs a stress test have enough just trying to pay bills Ha Ha, Thank you Robert you have been a help to me and many more of us out there, you give out some very practical advise and I appreciate it, I believe a good attitude is more than half the battle, tough sometimes but we have to hang in there together. Thank you again John

Hey John! Glad you got the info you were looking for. The help on this forum is beyond amazing. Being a newbi and sooooo much to learn. So far I have taken my own Heath into my own hands because wait times to see my respirologist won't be until early March. I have received great advice. Robert told me to get excersize and take rests when needed. To pace myself. Since that conversation I have walked around my backyard every day. We have a large backyard. Today I did 3 walks around the back yard without using oxygen. Walk then rest a few seconds then go again. Had to get a walk in today for sure. Calls for heavy snow for tomorrow. Yes John we need to hang in together. Been using the pursed lip breathing. Use my oximeter to see how I am doing. Hee Haw did great today after work. 

Hi John.

I am so pleased that the info I suggested has proved useful and you are coming to terms with things in such a posative way.

Keep up the good work and with a posative attitude you will be amazed how much things will improve. There is an old saying " what does not kill you makes you stronger".

It seems the same can be said of Ellen, she to is reaching new heights.

Well done to both of you.

There wil of course be times when you < like me have really bad times, I had one only 2 weeks ago and ended in hospital for 2 nights. Seem it is par for the course and they just happen. The trick seems to be " never give in" .

My best wihes to you both.  Robert

Sorry to hear you had to end up in the hospital! My respirologist that I will be seeing every 3 months told me about flare ups that could happen as much as so far it has not. He gave me a prescription for prentisone. 7 tablets to take daily just in case. They are on hold at my local pharmacy. I am not working today so I plan to just walk around my back yard a few times. We got snow but not as much as predicted. The resirology technician that does follow ups for a while after you have been prescribed oxygen is coming to my home on Thursday just to measure my oxygen levels. I have questions for him. I will keep you posted. In the meantime have a great day/night.

Ellen