Exercising with copd
Hi folks. I have been following copd.net for quite a while. This is my 1st time asking a question. I need help please!! I have severe copd & heart issues. I sit on my sofa everyday not doing much of everything. I realized today that I have to get up and start moving. I just am so tired! My o2 levels are in the low 90's but I am totally out of breath. Any suggestions?
I joined a pulmonary rehab and it has helped in many ways. Speak to your doctor
Hi Susandtymon , and welcome! We are glad to know that you have been following our community for quite a while. It's great to be able to welcome you now that you finally became a member yesterday.
I also see that our community members, dltld and CommunityMemberdbe7a7 , have already made pertinent suggestions, which I hope you have an opportunity to read. Additionally, I have something to contribute too.
There is no question that staying active and, exercising (at a level that is suitable for one's own particular level of disease), can go a long way towards successfully managing COPD. I thought you might gain some additional insight from this article, which speaks to this very topic: https://copd.net/living/staying-active-is-key.
I would also suggest that you run all of this past your own private medical doctor (PMD), since you've shared that you also have cardiac issues. Your doctor will be able to guide you towards an exercise and/or activity program that is appropriate for your specific, individual case.
Please do check back and let us know what you think of all these suggestions.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I agree with if you can. If not, I remembered something from many moons ago that I did off a TV PBS show, but of course it is not there anymore, ALL the episodes are on you tube! The series is called Sit and Be Fit, some of these might be helpful, even if you do a few to get started back up and strengthened up and then add to them. Here is a link, I hope it works for you, if not, then just google or search you tube for the name of the series stated above. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgvL3aGzMByecNYtMcyK_g 
This is a neat series. I've never heard of it before but it seems ideal for folks with limited mobility. 😀 Thanks a lot for sharing! -Melissa, copd.net team
I was diagnosed with COPD in 2005 after going to my PCM for a stubborn cough. He informed me that I had pneumonia and probably COPD. Got sent to the pulmonary clinic and underwent a PFT & chest x-ray, which confirmed his diagnosis. Hospitalized for 3 days, and released with 3 meds for COPD, and antibiotics and steroids for pneumonia. I didn't think nothing of it, even though he told it is irreversible. I continued to smoke for 2 more years, with annual trips to the ER for exacerbation and pneumonia treatment. I didn't try to learn about COPD, since it's irreversible, nothing can be done about it. My pulmonologist got reassigned overseas and my new dr was a civilian. She was the first one to tell me how COPD affects my life, and what I could do to prolong my life. Stop smoking first and foremost, exercise, and practice pursed breathing. Advair and Spiriva were the order of the day, twice a day. After I quit smoking, I didn't want to gain weight so I started looking for exercises I could do at home. Then I remembered when at ages 6 through 12, my father enrolled me in Judo and Karate. That got thinking about doing TaiChi, and from that I learned Qi gong. So I had been doing this for 8 years, off and on, until 3 years ago when I took it serious, and now practice different forms and warmup 6 days a week. The biggest benefit I get out of it is mental clarity and very little stress. I do focus on what I'm doing, and ensure I'm doing it right to get the maximum benefit. When breathing gets difficult, I close my eyes, relax and focus on my breathing, 5 seconds inhale through my nose, and exhale for 10 seconds (or twice the length of my inhale). At 78, I feel better then I did at 60. My everlasting gratitude to my family, friends, and health professionals who have helped me make it this far. To get here, I had to put my priorities in order. And I've recited the serenity prayer on many occasions:
Grant me the wisdom to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference.
P.S I'm also an alcoholic, 21 years sober.
Hi @CommunityMember15c637, thank you for having the courage to share your inspirational story. You are so strong! We are so glad you are a part of our community. Jill, COPD.net, team member
Fabulous story. It just goes to show that movement of any kind works. You have a strong mind and it works to your advantage. Thanks for sharing. Barbara Moore (Moderator)
I find that drinking home made beet juice dose help especially when I take it with Allegra 24 , if it wasn’t for my stomach sensitively
I would do take it every day , Hope this is hopeful to others as well !Hi Wes, and welcome! I see you are a new member here, having joined today, just about 2 hours ago. We are glad to see you already engaging with the community through this, your first post.
We appreciate you sharing with the community the success you're having using beet juice to manage this disease (COPD). How does the beet juice seem to help you? Is there anything further you are able to share with the community at this time? We appreciate your feedback.
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
