Re: breathlessness/exercise

[Guest guest]

Yes, walking is wonderful exercise! When I was first diagnosed w/ bronchiectasis in 2008, I was short of breath all the time and couldn't walk even a short distance w/o discomfort. Since then, I have established a pulmonary hygiene routine that I follow daily, and walking (or biking when the weather allows) is an important part of my regimen. I lost a significant amount of weight and I can now walk up to 3 miles at a time, and I do that twice a day. I've worked hard to get to this level of fitness and I will continue as long as possible. My lung function has improved dramatically and I feel so much healthier. I understand that this amount of exercise may not be possible for all members of the group, but I am a testament to the fact that hard work and persistence can definitely pay off with good results. Of course, I

still have rough days at times, with increased lung congestion, and intermittent lung infections, but overall I am much better than I was four years ago. I am a big advocate of walking for exercise, so let's all get out there and go for it! Best, M.

Subject: Re: breathlessnessTo: bronchiectasis Date: Sunday, July 8, 2012, 6:11 PM

Absolutely Pam, a nurse giving me a pulmonary function test told me "the people with this who exercise live a lot longer than those who don't". She said "I see it every day. Patients who don't exercise go down hill much more quickly." Getting as much exercise as you can and increasing your exercise tolerance is the best thing you can do for yourself. Resistance training is also important, hand weights in front of the TV are easy and inexpensive. The sports stores have booklets with various weight exercises one can do, and the weights come in dozens of sizes (weights). Good luck.

Kay

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 3:02:56 PMSubject: breathlessness

Could you please tell me if they are still advising walking for bronchiectasis ? I was held up for a breathalizer the other week, and couldnt find enough breath ...very embarassing.

[Guest guest]

, you really hit the nail on the head when you said that you've "worked hard" to attain your current level of fitness. It doesn't come easy and the reward usually equals the effort. I hadn't realized you worked your way up from such a low level of fitness; wow, you are to be congratulated!

I didn't mean to imply that one has to go to classes. I'd been thinking about my senior center earlier in the day, so that was the first thing that came to my mind. That walking can be done without cost beyond a good pair of shoes takes away all the excuses we sometimes find for not exercising, too! Walking is the best!

Kay

From: monicastuart@...To: bronchiectasis Sent: Monday, July 9, 2012 8:31:06 AMSubject: Re: breathlessness/exercise

Yes, walking is wonderful exercise! When I was first diagnosed w/ bronchiectasis in 2008, I was short of breath all the time and couldn't walk even a short distance w/o discomfort. Since then, I have established a pulmonary hygiene routine that I follow daily, and walking (or biking when the weather allows) is an important part of my regimen. I lost a significant amount of weight and I can now walk up to 3 miles at a time, and I do that twice a day. I've worked hard to get to this level of fitness and I will continue as long as possible. My lung function has improved dramatically and I feel so much healthier. I understand that this amount of exercise may not be possible for all members of the group, but I am a testament to the fact that hard work and persistence can definitely pay off with good results. Of course, I still have rough days at times, with increased lung congestion, and intermittent lung infections, but overall I am much better than I was four years ago. I am a big advocate of walking for exercise, so let's all get out there and go for it! Best, M.

Subject: Re: breathlessnessTo: bronchiectasis Date: Sunday, July 8, 2012, 6:11 PM

Absolutely Pam, a nurse giving me a pulmonary function test told me "the people with this who exercise live a lot longer than those who don't". She said "I see it every day. Patients who don't exercise go down hill much more quickly." Getting as much exercise as you can and increasing your exercise tolerance is the best thing you can do for yourself. Resistance training is also important, hand weights in front of the TV are easy and inexpensive. The sports stores have booklets with various weight exercises one can do, and the weights come in dozens of sizes (weights). Good luck.

Kay

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 3:02:56 PMSubject: breathlessness

Could you please tell me if they are still advising walking for bronchiectasis ? I was held up for a breathalizer the other week, and couldnt find enough breath ...very embarassing.

[Guest guest]

well done , great to hear when people work out ways that work and keep

them on top at least a significant amount of time.

I'm on abx now only because not to walk at week 3 after surgery - several weeks

later on abx. I can't prove it but am pretty certain I'd have pulled thru no

abx if kept walking (told could damaged new hip).

I feel for those who've had neck, back & leg ops recently, Liz with injured foot

- any reduction in activity makes us more at risk

joy

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Your words are encouraging. I am beginning to take walks after my knee replacement. However, I am not even able to go a mile yet. I am also trying to lose weight, which is helped by walking. You will be my inspiration to keep going until I too can walk at least 1-2 miles a day. I am still working and give myself all kinds of excuses on why I can't do this. But I will push myself more to help my lung function. Thanks for sharing.

Cindi

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Mon, July 9, 2012 10:31:13 AMSubject: Re: breathlessness/exercise

Yes, walking is wonderful exercise! When I was first diagnosed w/ bronchiectasis in 2008, I was short of breath all the time and couldn't walk even a short distance w/o discomfort. Since then, I have established a pulmonary hygiene routine that I follow daily, and walking (or biking when the weather allows) is an important part of my regimen. I lost a significant amount of weight and I can now walk up to 3 miles at a time, and I do that twice a day. I've worked hard to get to this level of fitness and I will continue as long as possible. My lung function has improved dramatically and I feel so much healthier. I understand that this amount of exercise may not be possible for all members of the group, but I am a testament to the fact that hard work and persistence can definitely pay off with good results. Of course, I still have rough days at times, with increased lung

congestion, and intermittent lung infections, but overall I am much better than I was four years ago. I am a big advocate of walking for exercise, so let's all get out there and go for it! Best, M.

Subject: Re: breathlessnessTo: bronchiectasis Date: Sunday, July 8, 2012, 6:11 PM

Absolutely Pam, a nurse giving me a pulmonary function test told me "the people with this who exercise live a lot longer than those who don't". She said "I see it every day. Patients who don't exercise go down hill much more quickly." Getting as much exercise as you can and increasing your exercise tolerance is the best thing you can do for yourself. Resistance training is also important, hand weights in front of the TV are easy and inexpensive. The sports stores have booklets with various weight exercises one can do, and the weights come in dozens of sizes (weights). Good luck.

Kay

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 3:02:56 PMSubject: breathlessness

Could you please tell me if they are still advising walking for bronchiectasis ? I was held up for a breathalizer the other week, and couldnt find enough breath ...very embarassing.

[Guest guest]

Cindi, that's great that you are using your will power to help yourself. It Will get easier! Success builds upon itself, and you already say you're feeling better about exercise. You'll lose more and more weight as you walk more and eat better. Congratulations! I agree with you that is an inspiration!

Kay

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 5:50:09 AMSubject: Re: breathlessness/exercise

Hi ,

Your words are encouraging. I am beginning to take walks after my knee replacement. However, I am not even able to go a mile yet. I am also trying to lose weight, which is helped by walking. You will be my inspiration to keep going until I too can walk at least 1-2 miles a day. I am still working and give myself all kinds of excuses on why I can't do this. But I will push myself more to help my lung function. Thanks for sharing.

Cindi

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Mon, July 9, 2012 10:31:13 AMSubject: Re: breathlessness/exercise

Yes, walking is wonderful exercise! When I was first diagnosed w/ bronchiectasis in 2008, I was short of breath all the time and couldn't walk even a short distance w/o discomfort. Since then, I have established a pulmonary hygiene routine that I follow daily, and walking (or biking when the weather allows) is an important part of my regimen. I lost a significant amount of weight and I can now walk up to 3 miles at a time, and I do that twice a day. I've worked hard to get to this level of fitness and I will continue as long as possible. My lung function has improved dramatically and I feel so much healthier. I understand that this amount of exercise may not be possible for all members of the group, but I am a testament to the fact that hard work and persistence can definitely pay off with good results. Of course, I still have rough days at times, with increased lung congestion, and intermittent lung infections, but overall I am much better than I was four years ago. I am a big advocate of walking for exercise, so let's all get out there and go for it! Best, M.

Subject: Re: breathlessnessTo: bronchiectasis Date: Sunday, July 8, 2012, 6:11 PM

Absolutely Pam, a nurse giving me a pulmonary function test told me "the people with this who exercise live a lot longer than those who don't". She said "I see it every day. Patients who don't exercise go down hill much more quickly." Getting as much exercise as you can and increasing your exercise tolerance is the best thing you can do for yourself. Resistance training is also important, hand weights in front of the TV are easy and inexpensive. The sports stores have booklets with various weight exercises one can do, and the weights come in dozens of sizes (weights). Good luck.

Kay

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 3:02:56 PMSubject: breathlessness

Could you please tell me if they are still advising walking for bronchiectasis ? I was held up for a breathalizer the other week, and couldnt find enough breath ...very embarassing.

[Guest guest]

Thanks to both of you, Cindi & Kay! I'm so happy that the information I shared is helpful. I work hard every day to be in the best possible shape, and I feel so much more optimisitic than I did when first diagnosed with bronchiectasis. The listserve is a wonderful vehicle for motivating each other toward success. Keep the faith! Best,

Subject: Re: breathlessnessTo: bronchiectasis Date: Sunday, July 8, 2012, 6:11 PM

Absolutely Pam, a nurse giving me a pulmonary function test told me "the people with this who exercise live a lot longer than those who don't". She said "I see it every day. Patients who don't exercise go down hill much more quickly." Getting as much exercise as you can and increasing your exercise tolerance is the best thing you can do for yourself. Resistance training is also important, hand weights in front of the TV are easy and inexpensive. The sports stores have booklets with various weight exercises one can do, and the weights come in dozens of sizes (weights). Good luck.

Kay

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 3:02:56 PMSubject: breathlessness

Could you please tell me if they are still advising walking for bronchiectasis ? I was held up for a breathalizer the other week, and couldnt find enough breath ...very embarassing.

[Guest guest]

It's amazing, , how the "work" of exercising becomes its own reward! We feel empowered by our own efforts when we take control of what we can control.

Kay

From: monicastuart@...To: bronchiectasis Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 12:09:03 PMSubject: Re: breathlessness/exercise

Thanks to both of you, Cindi & Kay! I'm so happy that the information I shared is helpful. I work hard every day to be in the best possible shape, and I feel so much more optimisitic than I did when first diagnosed with bronchiectasis. The listserve is a wonderful vehicle for motivating each other toward success. Keep the faith! Best,

Subject: Re: breathlessnessTo: bronchiectasis Date: Sunday, July 8, 2012, 6:11 PM

Absolutely Pam, a nurse giving me a pulmonary function test told me "the people with this who exercise live a lot longer than those who don't". She said "I see it every day. Patients who don't exercise go down hill much more quickly." Getting as much exercise as you can and increasing your exercise tolerance is the best thing you can do for yourself. Resistance training is also important, hand weights in front of the TV are easy and inexpensive. The sports stores have booklets with various weight exercises one can do, and the weights come in dozens of sizes (weights). Good luck.

Kay

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 3:02:56 PMSubject: breathlessness

Could you please tell me if they are still advising walking for bronchiectasis ? I was held up for a breathalizer the other week, and couldnt find enough breath ...very embarassing.

[Guest guest]

Cindi,

I forgot 'knees' when I mentioned the various (hopefully temporary)

disablements/sugeries some have had this year ...

From anyone I've known with knee surgery it's a difficult one, & not easy

recuperation - maybe walking might be too painful to get as much walking as your

lungs needed. Sometimes it's a matter of looking at what ways we can get our

'puff' and muscles working.

When hip got too bad I swam. Post-op leg length diff causes back pain still - I

may need to consider swimming as a regular alternative if can't walk as much as

I'd hoped to ...

I keep telling myself (at 8 weeks) it's early days yet ... (sigh)!

cheers

joy

[Guest guest]

Hi Joy,

I hope you are recovering and able to go for your walks soon. I over did it and tried to clean house, walk my dogs, have physical therapy, and my knee yesterday was very swollen and inflamed. I am trying to keep pain pills until only at night and by night I really need 1. I still can't take a tub bath and my therapist said to slow down so my recovery will be smoother. So I am taking it more easy today. Once I can submerge the knee, I plan to do some water therapy at the Health Club.

I found out after the surgery I might have more of a chance of knee infection because of my lungs. I will need to keep ahead of the infections this year and take antibiotics if I culture out with a bacteria instead of waiting until I get really sick to take it. It is most likely to happen in the first six months.

I still am glad I had the knee done as I was getting less mobile and would have had trouble just walking during the school day. It was 4 weeks yesterday and I am able to move my knee 110 degrees which is the goal. I hope to make 120 degrees before my therapy is over.

My biggest problem is getting my right knee to lie flat. Years of problems made me compensate and to have proper alignment I need to stretch the knee flat and eventually my body needs to add more cells to help the knee to be more flexible. That is the most painful part of therapy is getting the knee to stretch and lie flat. I am -5 which is good but I need to keep it that way.

Cindi

Cindi

To: bronchiectasis Sent: Wed, July 11, 2012 3:04:55 AMSubject: Re: breathlessness/exercise

Cindi,I forgot 'knees' when I mentioned the various (hopefully temporary) disablements/sugeries some have had this year ...From anyone I've known with knee surgery it's a difficult one, & not easy recuperation - maybe walking might be too painful to get as much walking as your lungs needed. Sometimes it's a matter of looking at what ways we can get our 'puff' and muscles working. When hip got too bad I swam. Post-op leg length diff causes back pain still - I may need to consider swimming as a regular alternative if can't walk as much as I'd hoped to ... I keep telling myself (at 8 weeks) it's early days yet ... (sigh)!cheersjoy