1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Do you force yourself to exercise when you feel worse than usual?

Posted by woot @woot, Jul 21, 2022

My sob has increased quite a bit and overall fatigue worse. I’m finding it really hard to get on my treadmill (too hot to walk outside anyway.)
I’m trying to figure out a cost/benefit ratio here any advice?

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nana43 | @nana43 | Jul 22, 2022

Hi! I think everyone dealing with lung issues has this problem! My pulmonary doc says that I should do 30 minutes per day, doesn’t have to be strenuous but keep moving. However, I have Bronchiectasis and MAC and produce NO sputum. I try to do this but my fatigue ( especially on med days) just makes it hard!! I do my flutter device more often on those days that I just can’t. Exercise. The main thing ( for me) is to keep those lungs clear as I can -because of mucous plugging, which promotes a ideal breeding ground for more bacteria. Long story short- doc said that my long consistent history of working out prior to getting sick probably prevented a much more progressive infection as indicated by my CT scans. Hope this helps!

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1 reply
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 22, 2022

Hello Woot. Sometimes I am forced to walk when I don't feel up to it because I have to walk my two dogs. I find that I feel a little better after doing it. Then there are times where I do not want to get up off of the couch (not often) then I use my strtchy armbands to work my arm muscles. I do not like to be listless. Do you own a pulse oxometer to check your oxygen
and heart rate on a regular basis? Is it possible you may need supplimental oxygen? I found that I needed supplimental oxygen before my dr did, she only recognized it because I brought it up. I had tested myself with the pulse ox while I was walking my dogs and found that my oxygen level would drop down to 84. No wonder I was tired and short of breath! I am not implying that you need supplimental oxygen; this is just one avenue to keep an eye. If you do have a pulse ox, have you checked your c02 level with exertion?

REPLY
2 replies
calinski420 | @calinski420 | Jul 23, 2022
In reply to @windwalker "Hello Woot. Sometimes I am forced to walk when I don't feel up to it because..." + (show)
@windwalker

Hello Woot. Sometimes I am forced to walk when I don't feel up to it because I have to walk my two dogs. I find that I feel a little better after doing it. Then there are times where I do not want to get up off of the couch (not often) then I use my strtchy armbands to work my arm muscles. I do not like to be listless. Do you own a pulse oxometer to check your oxygen
and heart rate on a regular basis? Is it possible you may need supplimental oxygen? I found that I needed supplimental oxygen before my dr did, she only recognized it because I brought it up. I had tested myself with the pulse ox while I was walking my dogs and found that my oxygen level would drop down to 84. No wonder I was tired and short of breath! I am not implying that you need supplimental oxygen; this is just one avenue to keep an eye. If you do have a pulse ox, have you checked your c02 level with exertion?

Jump to this post

I didn't know a pulse ox measures c02-I thought it was 02 and heart rate.

REPLY
becleartoday | @becleartoday | Jul 23, 2022

Start with walking in place, dancing, some gentle movements and/ or light weights. Justin Augustin online is great. I do online exercise with Andrea Trombley who as a doctorate in PT and specializes in yoga and weight training for osteoporosis.
Best, Linda Esposito

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maureen2022 | @maureen2022 | Jul 23, 2022

I do dancing to favourite music when I can't exercise. Don't have to leave the house and the music lifts the spirit 🙂

REPLY
woot | @woot | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @nana43 "Hi! I think everyone dealing with lung issues has this problem! My pulmonary doc says that..." + (show)
@nana43

Hi! I think everyone dealing with lung issues has this problem! My pulmonary doc says that I should do 30 minutes per day, doesn’t have to be strenuous but keep moving. However, I have Bronchiectasis and MAC and produce NO sputum. I try to do this but my fatigue ( especially on med days) just makes it hard!! I do my flutter device more often on those days that I just can’t. Exercise. The main thing ( for me) is to keep those lungs clear as I can -because of mucous plugging, which promotes a ideal breeding ground for more bacteria. Long story short- doc said that my long consistent history of working out prior to getting sick probably prevented a much more progressive infection as indicated by my CT scans. Hope this helps!

Jump to this post

Thanks, Nana. Helps a lot.

REPLY
woot | @woot | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @windwalker "Hello Woot. Sometimes I am forced to walk when I don't feel up to it because..." + (show)
@windwalker

Hello Woot. Sometimes I am forced to walk when I don't feel up to it because I have to walk my two dogs. I find that I feel a little better after doing it. Then there are times where I do not want to get up off of the couch (not often) then I use my strtchy armbands to work my arm muscles. I do not like to be listless. Do you own a pulse oxometer to check your oxygen
and heart rate on a regular basis? Is it possible you may need supplimental oxygen? I found that I needed supplimental oxygen before my dr did, she only recognized it because I brought it up. I had tested myself with the pulse ox while I was walking my dogs and found that my oxygen level would drop down to 84. No wonder I was tired and short of breath! I am not implying that you need supplimental oxygen; this is just one avenue to keep an eye. If you do have a pulse ox, have you checked your c02 level with exertion?

Jump to this post

Thanks, Terri. My ox had been 95 for months then 94, now 93 so I won’t need ox yet. Seeing your numbers help

REPLY
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