fatigue following an "event"
I'm new to COPD, diagnosed with stage one last fall. So, many symptoms and experiences are my first encounters.
Even at this mild level, I have learned that COPD is not a friend. My mother had COPD, so I've seen end-stage and never thought it would happen to me.
This past week, my wife and I decided to visit the Grand Canyon. I love to take photographs there as we've always enjoyed it.
This time was different. The elevation of the south rim of the canyon is just over 7,000'. I noticed that breathing was getting more challenging as we drove northward from our home in Phoenix. After a day of walking to the scenic points and taking photos, I got overwhelmingly fatigued. When we drove back to our hotel, I was hurting. Fortunately, my wife is an RN with years of experience in the ER and ICU. She took my blood oxygen level, pulse, etc., and my oxygen was in the '80s. She knew how to help me.
I realize that many of you are thinking that you wish your O2 was up to the 80's again; please forgive the whining.
What surprises me is that we've been home for two days, and even though my oxygen is back to my usual 94-95, I'm still too tired to go to the store, trim a few branches, or sweep the front walkway. Is that a regular "thing" when you've had a bad experience? If so, how long does this last?
, thank you for sharing that beautiful picture! There have been many in our community that have shared that sometimes it takes them a while to bounce back from a flare-up or an exacerbation. Just keep listening to your body (and your wife who sounds like she knows what she is doing!) Get all the rest you can and if you feel like it is taking you too long to feel better, it may be time to loop in your doctor to see if they have any recommendations. All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, team member). thank you for the advice. 
Hi Dennis - I am just getting to this conversation now. I see my colleague, has already made some suggestions based on your initial post. I concur with all she has said.
I also wanted to let you know that you are definitely not alone when you feel the fatigue that can be associated with this disease. There are others in the community who have expressed similar sentiments about being tired at various times. I thought you might gain some additional insight from this article on that very topic: https://copd.net/living/tired-vs-copd-tired. I do hope you find the information is helpful in a practical way.
Since your post is from about 3 days ago, I was wondering, how are you feeling now?
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
This is so helpful and the link put things into perspective. Thank you. I'm feeling much better.
Hi again, Dennnis - I am so glad the article tied some of this together for you. That is a large part of what our community is all about - helping one another through shared experiences and solid information. If we can help you with anything further, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. You are always welcome here in our online community.
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
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For me Dennis, how long I feel fatigued after a flare up depends on how bad the flare up was. I have only had 3 flare ups in the past year since being diagnosed with COPD. The first flare up was caused by an outdoor birthday party in the cold, with several fire pits and a BBQ smoker going. Took over a week to get over that flare up. Next one was after the air show in San Antonio in late April. It was wind blowing 35mph+, add in dust and dirt, the exhaust from the air show, and 85+ degrees, and another flare up. It took a little over a week to get over that one. The third one was a result of having to climb up into the attic to clean out the A/C drain line. Even though I wore a mask to avoid breathing insulation, the climbing up there and working bent over 3 different times for approximately 35 minutes, caused another flare up. This one lasted over 10 days. Lots of coughing, mucus, fatigue, and just general misery. I have learned how to deal with the flare ups and what to do to help avoid them.
Believe it or not, the best thing I have found for myself is exercise and proper breathing exercises helped the most. Daily use of acapella and spirometer machines and pursed lip breathing helped a bunch. Using my emergency albuterol inhaler as necessary and of course resting when needed all helped get over them. Everyone is different and flare ups are different for everyone as well as triggers are different for everyone. So, you are not alone in feeling fatigued after a flare up.
By the way, cool pic. My wife and I went to the Grand Canyon a few years ago and pictures do not do it justice. One cannot describe how intense and beautiful the Grand Canyon is.
My best suggestion to you is keep track of what causes your flare ups, and slowly figure out what helps you get over them. That way you can avoid as many triggers as possible and be better prepared to deal with them when they happen. It certainly helps to have an RN as a wife. Take care and God Bless!
Hi everybody. This is my first post on any site about my copd.I live in the UK and I realise this forum is for the USA but I have to let you all know this is the best I have found .I have just read the posts by
etc and I now understand that I have been berating myself unnecessarily for my fatigue and lack of energy. Thank you for your input and I will continue accessing this forum. 
welcome to this forum. We hear from people everywhere, not just the US. I hope you will read comments and articles that you find helpful in living with COPD. Stay well, Becky (moderator)
