Re: Question about power chairs

August 31, 2009

Joyce Rudy

I don't generally use the chairs but there are circumstances. An

example: I need to quickly get something thats in the far back corner of

Walmart...in a big hurry for whatever reason. Then I might. Or I need to

get several items at very different areas and am in a hurry. However,

he's right I think in not getting too much of a habit using a chair when

you can walk it. Just know your limits. But if you have time to go at

your own pace and to put your portable in the basket, then do so and

enjoy.

Sort of reminds me of NYC and all the people coming to the athletic

clubs in taxis. I always laughed. They're headed in to work out but

didn't walk the twelve blocks there. However, I use a treadmill

regularly but have still used a chair. I also use one somewhere I want

to explore and know its beyond my limit, such as a path that runs for

miles or the shoreline of a riverwalk area.

Your doctors just don't want you giving up mobility that you don't have

to.

>

> I have a question about power chairs. Those of you who use them- how

low does your O2 go with oxygen when you move? Do you need more liters

per minute? I ask these questions because I asked both my physician and

my pulmodude and the pulmodude at Jewish about using the electric chairs

at places like Costco and super walmarts and the grocery store and they

all said NO without hesitation. They told me to lean on the cart but

don't use the electric cart. It seems like none of my doctors wanted me

or wants me to use any kind of device that would make life easier

because they say it is bad for the lungs. Joyce Rudy AZ birds

>

August 31, 2009

Peggy,

I'm w/ you! I also have fibro and also RA. Without those carts, I couldn't walk

the store. My old primary wouldn't even sign for me to get a disabled placcard

for my car. My new primary wrote everything I needed to get my power chair. It

has given me my life back.

Nan 49, MA

List started '84

ILD '04

PF '08

Asthma '09

> >

> > I have a question about power chairs. Those of you who use them-

> how low does your O2 go with oxygen when you move? Do you need more

> liters per minute? I ask these questions because I asked both my

> physician and my pulmodude and the pulmodude at Jewish about using

> the electric chairs at places like Costco and super walmarts and the

> grocery store and they all said NO without hesitation. They told me

> to lean on the cart but don't use the electric cart. It seems like

> none of my doctors wanted me or wants me to use any kind of device

> that would make life easier because they say it is bad for the lungs.

> Joyce Rudy AZ birds

> >

>

August 31, 2009

My guess would be that they are telling you that because they all feel that

there is no underlying medical reason why you shouldn't be getting some exercise

whenever possible. Our lungs need to be used to be at their most efficient,

disease or no disease. Naturally, if there was a any chance of exercise being

harmful, they would not recommend it. Have they had you do 6-min walk? That is

generally part of any evaluation for those of us with IPF, in fact I am to have

one as soon as I reach my target weight, as the last piece before they activate

me on the transplant list.

Yes, there are many people who absolutely need to use them, but for me, I still

don't unless I am having a very bad day. I put my Marathon in the kid seat of

the cart and push the cart in front of me. I will do that because I know that I

need the exercise...the doctors want me to exercise and I know that the better

shape I am in before my transplant means that my recovery will be quicker the

better shape I am in going into it.

You have every right to question the doctors to why they say that, if you

haven't already. I'd like to think that after evaluating you, they wouldn't ask

you to do anything that you aren't capable of...at least I have found that with

my doctors.

Steve aka...Knip UIP/IPF 9/09 VATS 12/09

57 Plymouth, NH

>

> I have a question about power chairs. Those of you who use them- how low does

your O2 go with oxygen when you move? Do you need more liters per minute? I ask

these questions because I asked both my physician and my pulmodude and the

pulmodude at Jewish about using the electric chairs at places like Costco and

super walmarts and the grocery store and they all said NO without hesitation.

They told me to lean on the cart but don't use the electric cart. It seems like

none of my doctors wanted me or wants me to use any kind of device that would

make life easier because they say it is bad for the lungs. Joyce Rudy AZ birds

>

September 1, 2009

Rudy Joyce

as long as i am healthy enough to walk, i prefer to walk,

i put the marathan in the shopping cart to walk around the store

i constantly readjust the controls on the marathon depending on my o2 needs at the time

sometimes that is the primary exercise of my dayand i rest when i get home

if i know i am going to see grandchildren, i don't go shopping unless it is with them

i prefer not to carry the marathon, so if i am at a mall where there are no carts, i use the stroller

carrying the marathon is what tires me out more than the walking

the sad thing is that i can't walk as far or as long as i used to

forget the hills, so walking outside has become more difficult --

Pink Joyce R (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania

Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09

www.transplantfund.org---

Subject: Re: Question about power chairsTo: Breathe-Support Date: Monday, August 31, 2009, 4:36 PM

Joyce Rudy, I use whatever I need to get around those incredibly large stores.Why in the world would I want to waste my good energy on shopping when I could use it later for my grand children. Don'tlisten to the docs....they are not trying to live with PF...we are..do what makes your life easier and happier.I use the electric carts whenever I go food shopping! or Costco...or Walmart..or Target!!Mind you...I do walk on the treadmill at home...we have to stay active..but we can decide how!

Z 65, fibriotic NSIP/05/PA

And â€œmildâ€ PH/10/07

No, NSIP was not self-inflictedâ€¦I never smoked!

Potter, reader,carousel lover and MomMom to Darah and Sara

â€œIâ€™m gonna be iron like a lion in Zionâ€ Bob Marley

Vinca Minor-periwinkle is my flower

JOYCE RUDY wrote:

I have a question about power chairs. Those of you who use them- how low does your O2 go with oxygen when you move? Do you need more liters per minute? I ask these questions because I asked both my physician and my pulmodude and the pulmodude at Jewish about using the electric chairs at places like Costco and super walmarts and the grocery store and they all said NO without hesitation. They told me to lean on the cart but don't use the electric cart. It seems like none of my doctors wanted me or wants me to use any kind of device that would make life easier because they say it is bad for the lungs. Joyce Rudy AZ birds

September 1, 2009

I have a cart that I use to get my groceries in the house. I also ask the

grocery bagger to put all my fridge stuff in the same bags. That way, I bring in

the groceries and only put away the cold or frozen stuff before I rest.

I live in a 7th floor apt. The laundry is on the first. So, I found a laundry

hamper that has wheels on the bottom and a strap on the side. I roll it right

onto the elevator and downstairs. It's bright orange and my neighbors all laugh

and say oh here she comes w/ her trash can! LOL But, whatever works!

Nan 49, MA

List started '84

ILD '04

PF '08

Asthma '09

> >

> > I have a question about power chairs. Those of you who use them-

how low does your O2 go with oxygen when you move? Do you need more liters per

minute? I ask these questions because I asked both my physician and my pulmodude

and the pulmodude at Jewish about using the electric chairs at places like

Costco and super walmarts and the grocery store and they all said NO without

hesitation. They told me to lean on the cart but don't use the electric cart. It

seems like none of my doctors wanted me or wants me to use any kind of device

that would make life easier because they say it is bad for the lungs. Joyce Rudy

AZ birds

> >

>

September 1, 2009

Joyce,

Lets see if I can explain how I understand it. Normally our muscles are

oxygenated even at rest, the blood flowing through is good and full of

o2. The minute you move, your muscles require more o2 and a normal

person does not have a problem 'pushing ' this o2 from the lungs to the

muscles. We on the other hand immediately have to work harder so even

though you are breathing extra o2, your heart has to work harder to get

it where it is going and we still just don't have enough which is why we

end up using more lpm as we scar up. Which is why if we walk long

enough either we have to up our lpm (like MB uses 10 on the treadmill)

or our sats will drop. If you walk normally and your sats are just

above 90 your heart is simply gonna work harder because we just don't

transfer the o2 very well. My sweet husband before he passed had only

one lung and he was always above 96 when just doing normal stuff where I

was at 92 or so. His one lung worked great but he had the same problem

we do on exhertion, he couldn't breath fast enough to keep himself

oxygenated and so his heart rate went up and his sats went down. I'm

sure the docs at NJH can explain it better but hopefully this will help

and someone will tell me if I'm totally off the wall LOL.

Dyane Phoenix ipf 02

> > >

> > > I have a question about power chairs. Those of you who use them-

how low does your O2 go with oxygen when you move? Do you need more

liters per minute? I ask these questions because I asked both my

physician and my pulmodude and the pulmodude at Jewish about using the

electric chairs at places like Costco and super walmarts and the grocery

store and they all said NO without hesitation. They told me to lean on

the cart but don't use the electric cart. It seems like none of my

doctors wanted me or wants me to use any kind of device that would make

life easier because they say it is bad for the lungs. Joyce Rudy AZ

birds

> > >

> >

>

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US & utm_id=7922>

>

September 1, 2009

Joyce,

I am not Nan, but Big Lots has laundry hampers with wheels. If you have a Big

Lots near you.

Miranda

> > >

> > > I have a question about power chairs. Those of you who use them- how low

does your O2 go with oxygen when you move? Do you need more liters per minute? I

ask these questions because I asked both my physician and my pulmodude and the

pulmodude at Jewish about using the electric chairs at places like Costco and

super walmarts and the grocery store and they all said NO without hesitation.

They told me to lean on the cart but don't use the electric cart. It seems like

none of my doctors wanted me or wants me to use any kind of device that would

make life easier because they say it is bad for the lungs. Joyce Rudy AZ birds

> > >

> >

>

September 1, 2009

Hi Joyce,

I bought mine at Linens and things. Which has gone bankrupt and closed. But,

they also have them at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Not sure if they have one of those where you are.

Nan