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Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: 18 hours ago | Replies (4351)Comment receiving replies
Hello, Mary. Yes, my breathing is adversely affected by the heavy, humid tropical weather, by icy cold weather, or heat like in Vegas - 110 degrees years ago when I was there for a week. I came sooooo close to a heat stroke just by walking to another hotel for shopping. I had a time that week.
Same thing happened the summer I spent as a college student in Estes Park, Colorado. Loved that place, but couldn't do anything that took me up more than a couple of feet above the YMCA Conference Center, up in the mountains. No hiking, limited walking or I couldn't breath. Yuck! Interesting, I didn't officially develop asthma until age 35...must have had it earlier
I'm realizing this isn't directly related to age! I never thought about that, have been associating much of my lung stuff with aging. Its not! It's been with me most of my life, I just didn't recognize it, went on about my business, played lots of tennis, ran, played golf, very active. At sea level. I got asthma at 35. Sarcoid hit my lungs at age 40. Since, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. Severe obstructive sleep apnea and nightly bi-pap. Truly progressive.
Mary....you helped me just now better understand all this. I called a few minutes ago to the sleep doc at Mayo to find out if we can change the bi-pap settings to give me more air in my lungs at night. My O2 level at home stay around 91-94, 95. Rarely higher. In ED and hospital, mid-high 90's. Maybe she can help increase those numbers? Which I believe will help the heart issues as well.
I'm now having constant lung issues- asthma every day now, so I'm using Symbicort daily and Ventolin as needed. Singulair, for years, sinus meds often, Flonase at night, another nasal spray daytime. Steroids help a lot. It's worse and constant now, but, I will get in better condition by walking....at Mayo inside, at the mall, wherever I can breath.
I just called the YMCA that has the therapy pool with Brooks Rehab. The Y may not reopen the pool and only be run for physical therapy. So, tomorrow I'm getting a prescription for PT at the therapy pool. I'm desperate to get going again and get healthier.
I will share with you folks and look forward to sharing about walking in the pool!
Bless you on your walks and always. elizabeth
Replies to "Hello, Mary. Yes, my breathing is adversely affected by the heavy, humid tropical weather, by icy..."
I love that you are going to try pool therapy! When my Mom was recovering from a stroke and broken arm (2 events) she needed something to help her feel "normal" - having spent many winters in Texas, where she used the swimming pool every day with her sister and friends. A wise doc prescribed pool therapy in a warm pool at a nearby senior residence in Minnesota. It was her happy place twice a week for over a year. She walked, swam, used the kickboards and pool weights - improved her land endurance and balance and soothed her RA pains. She also visited with the others doing their exercises, so it was social.
After my 5th hip surgery, when I was having gait and walking issues, my therapy team put me in the pool ay our Y - it was wonderful for me, and I used those exercises in our Texas pool for several winters, even taught them to some of my friends. Coincidentally, breathing against the pressure of the water helped me take deeper breaths, so even though I have damaged lungs, I have better O2 sats now.
Pool therapy may not be a magic bullet, but it is a wonderful adjunct therapy, and an especially good place to hang out when it's hot. If it helps you, maybe you can find a pool nearby to use after therapy ends.
Sue
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@ess77
Do you know what your O2 saturation levels are while you're asleep? Have you ever had a sleep study? I'm wondering if they are lower during sleep and if you need oxygen connected to your cpap.