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Post by peggy on Mar 11, 2011 10:02:28 GMT -5
started smoking at the age of 13. My friends smoked and they looked cool! Boy, if I knew then what I know now! OK I did know about Emphysema, but never thought it would happen to me, but it did. In 2004 I was DX with COPD/ The Big E. My first thought was, no way, not me! Well I was still smoking at that time. After a lot of crying, thinking I can't stop smoking. I went from having mild COPD to having moderate COPD. It took two years to stop smoking, but I did it, with the help of my DR, that was in 2006. Now I'm 5 years of being a none smoker. Now I exercise by walking on my treadmill on 3.6 and almost a full 1 minuet run on 5.0 in between walking then back down to 3.0 take maybe take a puffs of my Inhaler catch my breath then back up to 3.4 or 3.5 or 3.6 I even go for the incline of 4 and I also lift hand weights. My only thought to doing this the way I'm doing it is...By pushing myself, am I helping my lungs or hurting them? Number one I have to put a pad on because I lose bladder control as I'm walking fast or running. Number two I feel so tired and drained right after and also the next day. Nothing like the feeling of getting sucked inside one self. But I keep on exercising doing this time and time again, it hasn't kill me yet. I'm losing inches and I can live with that.  ... I also had another breathing test done and I'm back down to Mild COPD. Yes!! So, I think I'm doing everything right. Taking my Medication's, Ipratropium-Albuterol Inhaler and Sprivia . Hope to go back to normal but think mild is the best I'm going to do. |
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Post by susanny on Mar 11, 2011 11:35:46 GMT -5
 Uploaded with ImageShack.usGood to meet you, Peggy. Wow, you are sure a worker, aren't you!!! I am so glad you've been able to push yourself and improve the way you're using your lungs. No, can't reverse emphysema, but you can improve the way you move air, obviously. Do you happen to know what your FEV1 % was at the worst and what it is now? It would be interesting to know. The only thing I would caution is that you keep an eye on your O2 levels with an oximeter, if you don't already. When you are exercising to the degree that you are, that's asking an awful lot of your body. It sounds like you may be falling below the levels you want and that's not a good thing at all. It is definitely good to push yourself to the point of becoming SOB, but not too far. Also, this is further proof to me as to how great the drug Spiriva is. My husband was diagnosed a year ago with mild COPD at 87%. Took the Spiriva and exercised for the year and his last PFT was up to 96%! Catching COPD early and adhering to the dr's advice really worked for him. Join us at the Fence and get to know the others in the group here. You are a real inspiration! Sue |
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Post by John on Mar 11, 2011 15:23:41 GMT -5
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Mar 11, 2011 20:19:50 GMT -5
Hi Peggy and WELCOME!
I saw your post tonight and though I want to respond in a bit more depth, I hope you don't mind but I'm gonna take a pass till tomorrow..... (Really tired and it's my jammie time)
So; till then......
I'm glad to see you've jumped in and joined in!
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Post by aero63 on Mar 11, 2011 21:12:11 GMT -5
Welcome peggy and you have a great story to tell and much inspiration to give.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Mar 12, 2011 7:08:46 GMT -5
I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time last night Peggy but when I go into my "shut down" mode I've a one track mind. Well lady; you're to be congratulated all the way around! So; CONGRATULATIONS! You've got a good, full life to look forward to. You were asking about helping or hurting your lungs. Well; You're not hurting them! You're tired when you get off and for the next day? Maybe you're pushing too hard. (I can't even imagine running ) You're not doing a marathon remember; you're after endurance first, then bump it up. You didn't mention how long you stay on. Normally when I get off the TM; I actually feel better though if I've really pushed it, I might have to skip the next day. I think that's probably normal for a lot of folks. Anyway; you are doing absolutely fantastic!  Keep at it!! |
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Post by peggy on Mar 14, 2011 14:31:30 GMT -5
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... I also had another breathing test done and I'm back down to Mild COPD. Yes!! 
Welcome Peggy ;
for the great welcome. Tonight after work I'll go home and get back on the dreadmill 
