Activity in Stage 4?
My sister in-law has stage 4 COPD, with Lee's than 25% capacity. On oxygen at 5 liters 24/7. Currently remains in bed only coming out to eat or for restroom, likely taking no more than 50 staps per day. What kind of improvements can be expected should she endeavor to increase physical activity?
Hi CM1dc725, and thanks for your post and question - it's a good one!
You may be aware we cannot provide medical advice or diagnostics over the internet (for your own safety), but your concern certainly warrants a reply.
In my experience, folks with a COPD diagnosis do extremely well enrolling in a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Almost every patient I have seen demonstrates a certain level of improvement once they begin the program. The improvement can be gauged and seen based on each individual patient's specific level of disease. Most patients start out very slowly and the improvement is generally seen in small increments. This usually improves over time and the patients can feel and see it, too!
I would suggest you encourage your sister to get started in a pulmonary rehabilitation program as soon as she can. I think you will both be favorably impressed by the improvement over time.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)my insurance provided me with the exercises rehabilitation, they sent a nurse, and a nurses aid for me, when I had gotten out of the hospital, now that was about 3 months ago, it wasn't bad, they are professionals. It's really much needed. After being sick for a while and landing in the hospital. So you come out. And just make the call to send someone out. It does help. But, if you decide, when your 2 weeks therapy is up. Then you need to do these on your own. My problem is.i would procrastinate. Then I didn't do it. And that hurt me more in the long run. And I know I'm not the only one who puts this off. Our minds are all different. Hi Salt, and thank you for joining in this conversation. We appreciate you lending your own support and encouragement here. We also value you sharing your own personal experience managing this condition as well as the time you spent participating in physical therapy.
Like you, I found the exercises I used while in a physical therapy program (for other medical conditions), I could also do at home. I was able to do them throughout my recovery periods and took full advantage of what was taught to me.
You make a good point - perseverance is the key!!
How are you doing nowadays?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I am so grateful for being able to join this group! My GP diagnosed me with COPD two years ago and now just told me that I have probably got emphysema but says it's not worth having tests for. I am 69 years old and feel like he has given me the death sentence! The only drug I take for it is Trelegy but reading a previous comment I am not sure how much is getting into my lungs! Where can I find information on breathing exercises and improving saturations? Sats are now dropping to 70's but I can breathe them up to 90 quite quickly. I'm terribly breathless and this is limiting day to day activities quite a bit now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! So happy to know that I am not alone!!!😊
hello from Indiana in the USA. Hi again, Sandy - thanks for sharing this with the community! 'Hello', back to you, from the state of New York!!
Warmly,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
HI and thanks so much about coming here on behalf of your SIL. What a lucky lady to have you! I to am Stage 4, diagnosed 10/2021 after being very sick (not COVID). It came on fast and furious and poor did it through me for a loop. Ye bed was my friend for a while, depression had set in. Thank goodness my husband wouldn't baby me. He made it so I had to get out of bed and do stuff for myself and help with misc household chores. So glad he did.
1) He refused to fold my laundry
2) Said it was time that the sheets needed to be washed, bedding changed he
needed help with the bottom sheet, which he always has.
3) Ask me to set the table for dinner while he finished cooking
4) Ask me to make gravy while he mashed potatoes, which in turn I ended up
starting to cook meals again or helping a LOT.
5) Stated I needed a shower or a good ol' wash job for I stunk, he offered
to help with washing my hair in the kitchen sink, THANK felt amazing
6) Moving night
7) Game night
Things like the above is what showed me I had a lot of GIVE to give back and I was not useless nor was I dead yet. There is always something daily or a couple things daily until I got my groove back and my head together. Yes I did go to my GP and let them know about the depression, which they stated was common, so meds for that!
It took a couple to find the right one, but doing good now, well honestly most of the time. Yes, the Resp. Rehab, love it! Going again as soon as they call with dates for a refresher course, mainly to give me a break from the hubby, even though he's the one that drives now. I won't for it I start coughing while driving up and down the hills with curves, well it would not be pretty for me and possibly others. If you might be interested the meds for the COPD I am on are the following, keeping in mind everyone is different. O2, maintenance inhaler, emergency inhaler, 2 different meds for nebulizer (breathing treatments), low dose antibiotic once a day, steroid inhaler, a pill they call Pearls ( for coughing) as needed. Then there is a little hand held thing I breath into to loosen up the crud in the lungs after breathing treatments. What a routine right? Well I have more then that for other medical issues, but hey it's all good. Maybe let her know you found this site, inform her there is a lot of great information with helpful on how to do things with limits. That there is the forum that people will chat and understand what she is dealing with ...etc.... sometimes little nudges are needed to help those that might have forgotten on how to help themselves.
I sure wish you and yours the best. Please come visit, being a Care Giver can be very hard too! We are here for all.Hi again, dltld (Doris), I just had to jump in and thank you wholeheartedly for sharing your own personal support and encouragement for our fellow community member, . We all also value your candor in sharing so much about your own experience managing this disease (COPD) with the rest of us. Just reading about how you managed all this is both uplifting and gratifying, too!
Keep up the good work, Doris! We appreciate your consistent contributions to our community.
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
