Hi Mary. You don't say whether or not you're on oxygen. I was put on 24/7 O2 two years ago and can do so much more now than I could before O2. Of course, I also exercise and do breathing exercises, which I think help.

Walking is the hardest for me. I belong to a wellness gym and can
do the cycling and arm exercises, etc., but the treadmill I can only
do with my oxygen.

Birdcat

I'm not on the oxygen. Maube I'll be because saturation is around 95% when I'm sitting, but arond 87% when I walk. I don't exercise, nobody told me what to do.

Hi Mary......I used to find walking a bit hard but I learnt to purse lip breath and its second nature to me now...Surprisingly I did pretty well on the 6 min walk test with oxygen reading Starting out on 96% and ending on 94%

At 24% I still feel lucky I can get around ok. Going to Pulmonary rehab is the best thing im doing. Its funny how each attendance starts out hard but by the close I feel pretty good.....So its the exercise that is so important I feel.but you must push yourself as tolerance is what is more important than speed.

Not on oxygen yet and hopefully might just avoid that but who knows.

About not feeling well im not sure if I really know what well feels like any more lol...Wish you all the best with the doc visit and its not over till the fat lady sings and im sure she's not ready to serenade you or me just yet.....

Hugs Peter

..

Thankfully im not on oxygen yet

Hi Mary, Its sounds like you probably need oxygen for walking or any kind of exercise. They usually have you on it if you drop below 88 when walking. I have been on oxygen full time for three years now.

Hi Mary,

What is my day like?? I sleep most of the morning because I have trouble falling asleep at night. I am 75 1/2 years old and I think that contributes to my chronic fatigue too. I make sure breakfast includes my vitamins and medications along with coffee, egg beaters, banana and toast. That is my most important meal and that combination works best for me it seems.

I live alone since I was widowed shortly before pulmonary emboli changed things, followed by COPD. Often lonely but not up to taking on many commitments at this point.

I am at moderate stage COPD. I function okay during the afternoons but I can't walk very far without spinal stenosis symptoms kicking ion. I ride a stationery bike for a half hour most days and a shopping cart allows me to support my legs well enough to walk lots through large stores.

I do some inspirational reading of meditations each day and try to remember to do my breathing exercises. I have help with housework and yard work since I don't have the stamina or strength to do either one and do a good job without help. Lucky to have it.

My kitty keeps me company, I see friends on occasion and my sons call every day to check 'n chat.

After dinner I have a coupe of glasses of wine and enjoy the sunset with my kitty. I read a lot and don't watch much TV , not that I have anything against it.

You asked how my day was and I rambled on to give you most than you asked for I am sure.

It takes me hours to do things that used to take me minutes. No oxygen needed yet, I am told by the Dr.

One day at a time! Big hugs, Cindy

Today I am feeling a bit battered & bruised. Just spent the last 2 days going through a MIBI test for my heart. It requires radioactive material injected into you followed by a number of different tests over 2 days. I am totally worn out by the excess activity this required.
Due to severe arthritis in 1 knee & mild spina bifida I have a lot of trouble walking, but still do walk for doc appts. etc. with a cane. I have difficulty making it to the elevator (about 1/2 a block) in my apartment bldg. without huffing & puffing. By the time I get to my car in underground parking I have to stop for sure to catch my breath.
I generally try to do some light housework every day with a lot of rest in between chores & spend a fair amount of time online with my blogging buddies & playing Klondike. If I get lots of rest & a bit of activity I feel my best.

Hi Mary.....been on oxygen for a year now. I never had any symptoms of copd, it hit me all at once and was put on 02 from the beginning. My gas blood exchange is bad, I walk in the park four to five minutes and stop and check my meter which I'm in the 50's for oxygen saturation. Then I move on, walk about 3/4 of a mile. Do a lot of reading and also enjoy my xbox. Life changes and you can always adjust. As everyone has told me, we are all different when it comes to this disease. Bob

When they do my GA my oxigen is oroun 9,5-10,5. Is that ok?
Gwapo, please tell me more about 6 minute test and exercise you practise. I'm between 27 and 22%.

Hi Mary..

Re-6 min walk test.....for exercise I try and walk 30 mins/day inside or outside depending.......im procrastinating between a budget bike or walker for home or whether to hire an up market one.....decisions....

http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200203-166OC#.U6NKeFJZpgU

....sorry this is from the tester's guidelines....

http://www.pulmonaryrehab.com.au/index.asp?page=19

So far I'm not on oxygen all the time or even during the night. Mine is
for when I'm stressed from exercise or over doing it. I have one of
those small ones 4 pounds ~ the concentrator I think it is called.

I bet some of you could benefit from it greatly and maybe should
ask your docs. Usually insurance kicks in or at least partly. Mine
is 80-20 with me paying the 20%.

Birdcat

Hi Mary--I've been diagnosed with severe emphysema, but I am not on oxygen and my resting O2 level is about 97%. I walk a little over a mile on the treadmill and go about 2.5 miles on the stationary bike. When I feel SOB while exercising or performing any strenuous activity, I slow down and do pursed lip breathing, which helps considerably. I truly believe that taking my medication (Spiriva) and exercising helps me to live a reasonably normal life. Good luck with your tests on Monday.

I have been in the hospital and it has taken the wind out of me.. I have been diagnosed with severe COPD/empyhsema, i had pneumonia and was intubated,with ventilator and feeding tube,I do feel a bit unsteady at the moment but hope to feel much better soon.

I have been walking around the block everyday and live on the 3rd floor (no elavator) and am out of breath when I get to the top of the stairs, I use spiriva and advair diskus 500.

Today I was packing some dishes to give away, and some of my mom's clothing (she is in a home now) and I had to stop as I was too tired to continue.

I am not on oxygen, Hope you get good docs who care and take really good care of you and explain things. I found that my worse problem was the docs didn't explain what was happening to me.
Good luck to you.

Thank you for your advices. I lost hope a and sometimes I'm depressed. I will exersise and walk and see what will happen. If you have any more advice, please tell me I'll try. Thank you all for best wishes. Hope you are vell