COPD

[susandennis]

I don't know anyone else that has COPD so I don't have any trusted anyone with whom I can compare notes.  And, actually, from what the internets say, COPD varies widely from person to person. I keep looking, I think, half because I want validation and half because I want to make sure I am lucky enough to not have it as bad as most.  (I rarely dip my toe into Denial - I'm either all in or Ms. Skeptic.)

Today I was slapped in the face with what I cannot do.  When the panting subsides, I just feel sick.  Not quite nauseous, but not quite not.  Really just almost flu like.  Not light headed but not quite not.  Once I sit and rest, I feel better but unless my down time is 30 minutes or more, the respite is very temporary.  Today I didn't stop when I should have and learned not to do that any more.

But, now that I'm recovered. I'm so grateful that I can do what I can do.  I can swim. Thankgod.  I can live without bottled oxygen.  I can, if I plan and pace, do fine.  Running errands in the car is fine.  I sit in the car, get someplace and do stuff and then sit in the car for a resting spell.  There's lot that I can do.

If I don't get hit by a bus or stroke out or drop dead of a heart attack, it is likely that I will be able to do less and less, I will require 24/7 oxygen (which is going to make swimming tricky) but until then, I want to make sure that I don't waste any time now being bummed by the things I cannot do.  

Comments

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

Good job with your researching. Most of what we tell our COPD patients is to pace yourself and to take adequate rest breaks. You already know the appropriate breathing techniques, so you are good there. The big thing is that you are still active and doing what you can without overdoing it. Lots of people with COPD choose to let to control their activities and usually refuse to do anything, which actually makes things worse, not better.

Let me know anytime if you have anything you want me to get more info on for you. The thousands of $$ I've spent on textbooks ought to be useful to more than just me.

[susandennis]

THANK YOU!!! You have no idea how much better just hearing you say that I'm not doing myself a disservice makes me feel today. I know it, but some days like today, I let it bum me out and so need the extra 'atta girl'. Thanks for that. Really. Thank you.

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

I am proud of you everyday. Seriously. I can't wait for you to be at the pool again on Monday. It's good for you, but really, it makes you happy.

[susandennis]

Thank you. And I'm with you on the pool. Even though it means no more sleeping in and getting up and on the road at 6 after the daylight savings change, I am soooo ready!

[jwg.livejournal.com]

Is there an explanation as to why swimming seems to be an exercise that can be done for a long period of time?

[susandennis]

ohhhhh great q! Mel, those textbooks have any explanation?

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

It all depends on the person. What lots of people like about swimming is that the buoyancy of the water supports some of your body weight, so that you don't have to exert as much energy to be active. Also, it's good upper body work which stretches out the torso such that the diaphragm has more room to move up and down, allowing better filling of the lungs. Some people also report that the humidity of the air helps with breathing as well. There are lots of possible things, but it is individualized. Some people can't handle the extra pressure the water puts on their chest and how it compresses their lungs. Upper and lower body exercise is good for building activity tolerance for the activity. Doing activities builds and maintains muscle strength in the muscles used for respiration, which is why exercise is good. Inactivity means that the muscles get progressively weaker, making it more difficult to breathe over time.

How's that?

[susandennis]

That's very cool. I do love the buoyancy. Also there's no holding of breath. If I all of a sudden quicken my pace (more strokes per minute and faster kicking) I can get out of breath but mostly not and I always thought that was curious but what you are saying about stretching the diaphragm makes sense.

My normal, easy pace turns out to be one mile in a little under and hour which seems to be a respectable pace and easy enough for me. Win win all around.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

To use an old-fashioned word, I admire your gumption! :)

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

I just saw a pic from today's chronicling on Flickr, and it occurred to me how much those hills there were a struggle the two times I've been out there. Ouch. You are a trooper and I'm even more impressed. I'd be huffing there with you right now.

[susandennis]

:) it was one of the steeper ones. it was idiotic of me to do it but now I'm smarter!!

[timbear.livejournal.com]

My mother in law has COPD along with arthritis and the lesson learned is "use it or lose it". Despite her GP son advising her otherwise she didn't, doesn't, and now absolutely cannot use it.

Keep exercising within your personal limits is what I would say, you are doing just fine.

[kyrielle]

FWIW, this is not a personal statement since I know of it through someone else's experience, but:

My Uncle Jim had COPD. He had it so bad he had to avoid getting sick - which means he never met Drew (or Ian, but he passed away within a month of Ian's birth; I'm not sure he ever knew about Ian), but as he wasn't fond of children in general, I don't know that he considered that a loss. At a distance, they were fine, but in person I'm not at all sure he would have wanted to.

I know he was on oxygen by the time Drew was born or not long after - so he spent three years, give or take, on oxygen and in state of health that meant leaving the house other than for necessary appointments was not recommended. He had to quit his job with the IRS - his desk job that he liked fine - purely because his health wouldn't support it.

(My Mom had it too, but since she also had lung cancer, that doesn't really compare much.)

[kyrielle]

And I should add, yes, he did indeed not use it, and thus lost it.

And Seattle hills leave me out of breath thinking about them, sometimes! :)