Probably need more details on what you are calling "Muscle Weakness", but it may be the same phenomena that I experience.

An Example: carrying in groceries from car - only a few yards. But if I get SoB ... I suddenly can't carry a thing, not even a gallon of milk. Everything is just TOO MUCH EFFORT. I'm root in place till I get a handle on my breathing.

No medical evidence but I'm convinced it is basically psychosomatic. The Body is saying "Screw this small stuff - GET AIR!, and I ain't moving till you do." Smile.

When I was moderate severe it was more like - "Time to find a place to sit down and rest.", Now that I'm severe - "It is stop now!". Never thought of it has being weak, but guess it would seem as though you do.

To me there's a relationship to SOB and limb weaknesses. When we're SOB we are weak. When we are weak we have less energy. With less energy the energy to push forward is reduced considerably. We need to exercise. I'm poor at exercising - my plans are good; my execution is lousy. I just went through a week of lots of stand, walk, sit over and over. I'll try once again to set up my exercise plan - I need to push just a little bit more.

Online COPD sites indicate that there are several exercises which will reduce the weakness in the limbs. Everything in moderation.

There are many online suggestions for exercising with COPD especially if you don't have Pulmonary Rehab in your area. I bet if I just tried 3 times a week for 15 min. I'd improve if only a couple more steps before sitting.

This is a link from WebMD re: exercises.

http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/ss/slideshow-copd-exercises

Determining just how long a COPD patient can expect to live is all but impossible (we are all so different), but there are Four things which have been proven to seriously increase mortality.

Continuing to smoke or continuing an exposure to a hazardous environment.
Not taking prescribed medications as prescribed.
Not using Long-Term Oxygen Therapy as prescribed.
Not treating or not getting immediate attention for frequent exacerbations.
Not exercising.

What is really sad is none of these items are complicated or represent any kind of hardship The last item is the primary problem people just dont exercise. I can understand if someone has never exercised it may be a bit tough to get started, BUT when once told they are three to five times more likely to die this year if they dont? Well, if that isnt enough incentive to get off the couch, then what would be? A chocolate sundae? (Smile)

I like the article joany posted because it shows just how minimal any program needs to be. While there are special wellness programs that go into strength-training and cardiovascular improvement (some for thousands of dollars), and Im sure they certainly dont hurt the fact is medical studies have shown it aint necessarily the quality or amount it is just the fact you are doing *something* on a regular bases that makes a huge difference.

While all the photos were shot in a gym setting no expensive equipment is ever required. Weights can be 16oz water bottles (later fill with sand), walking is free, and you can buy a simple pedal exerciser for $20-$40).

Fancy exercise clothing, ellipticals, home gyms, weight sets, and treadmills are fine if you have the space and money, but totally unnecessary. So no one can use that as an excuse. (lol)

I loved rehab, even set up a nice treadmill at home, all fired up till i got a bad flare that knocked the life out of me and my confidence...stopped exercising n spent life behind the puter......and i KNOW i was losing physical strength rapidly...ie..carrying groceries from car inside was getting to be a scary scenario....

Got my little Maltese Shih Tzu n now i have to walk n go to the park and you know what......i really feel much more energy returning.......

I am heavy and old so very awkward on land but can really move very easily and quickly in the water. I'm able to get to a pool twice a week for an hour. I'm so grateful to still be able to do this. My husband drops me off, I go in my bathing suit and robe and use a walker. But by golly I'm there and really get busy.

The weakness just feels like my arms and legs are heavy weights and just walking or picking anything up is a chore. I want souch to get out and exercise, and I have great plans, but on the days I feel good I spend catching up the dishes and laundry. My main issue is that the one BP med that I am not allergic to I have to take 3 times a day and is makes me so sleepy that I have slept up to 17 hours out of the day. I can't even drive while on it because I fall asleep. I have my appt with my pulmonologist Tuesday. I haven't given up on exercising, just trying to figure out how to find the energy.

Thanks for the article joany, I didn't realized weak muscles needed more oxygen. A lot of good suggestions! Thanks!

j.h.- does the chlorine in the pool not bother you? The last time I went to an indoor pool I kept coughing and felt like I was smothering, but I like the idea of using the pool.

gwapo- I have a friend who's father is in pulmonary rehab and she says he loves it and it has helped him so much. I am hoping to be able to do this.

Our vrery own Brenda Rapp started an exercise group on FB appropriate for all us COPDers. If you're interested, take a look at "Brenda's COPD Exercises and recipes" and enjoy . Really good fun and interesting..

Another one worth tryhing s "Functinal Fitness for COPD & Asthma". by Suzanne Andrews. I ordered her DVD and love it.

JH, you are so lucky that you can take to the water so easily. We have a pool here at home and I can't use it, not even in the shallow end. I once tried to paddle with the grandkids and nearly passed out. I'm okay whlle the water is waist depth, but any deeper and the presssure shuts down my ability to breathe .... feels like there is an elephant sitting on my chest. The first time it happened I got into a blind panic and the grandkids cried because I didn't stay longer to play. Hahaha, little dears, if only they knew. :-)))) Now I just sit on the top step and twiddle my toes.

Exactly how I feel in the water, like an elephant sitting on my chest!

Yes..you would think swimming/or even floating in the water would take pressure off the lungs...I used to still go out in the surf in 08 and now i don't bother even going in cos i get very SOB....

Another thing where i lose energy is that i have very little interest in food. Eating seems a chore these days and need lots of Ensure type protein drinks to suppliment my diet.....

I believe I have muscle wasting; as I am very sedentary. I used to walk everyday; but after exacerbations; and recent lung surgery-----I find my heart rate escalating, and my oxygen sats dropping rapidly.
Exercise is very important------and in the later stages of this disease----can seem nearly impossible.

when i get SOB it makes everything hard to do because all my effert goes into just trying to breath.
(i can get SOB & not low 02)

what i have noticed is when i get low 02 all my muscles & joints get weak (my legs feel like they are going to give out from under me if i get into the 80's.
when my 02 drops my joints & muscles tend to "give out" because 02 "runs" them. i also have pain associated to low 02 and i can't think straight.
my dr said that is why i always have to keep my 02 above 90% because it effects everything in my body.
i have also noticed that just before i go into an exacerbation or flare up i ache all over, so I've
now learned to get right into the dr if my pain increases.
and of course any time it feels like an elephant sitting on my chest it is time for me to get right in.

i'm no doctor, but this dx i'm starting to learn that any changes that don't feel right it is better to get checked out right away---better safe than sorry.
prayers ar with you (((((HUGS)))

No the chlorine doesn't seem to bother me to much. I did have to quit swimming many years ago because of the suffocating feeling but I can exercise in the water without getting SOB. Go figure. The elephant sits down when I lie down especially on my back. I'm having a great deal of trouble walking now but blame it on my weight and age.