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Anyone have any trouble going up stairs

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lawrenceSTL

07/21/2019 at 4:33 AM

lawrenceSTL

Last activity on 11/03/2023 at 12:43 PM

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my job moved into a new building without an elevator and now i have to go up two flights of stair every day.. every day i dread it, it feels like by the time i get to the top i am going to pass out for lack of breath! anyone else experience this?

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emphman

07/21/2019 at 4:35 AM

emphman

Last activity on 07/21/2019 at 4:33 AM

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@lawrenceSTL i can maybe do two MAX anything over that has me feeling like i'm not going to make it! odd that your buidling doesn't have an elevator, would think that would be a safety hazard or just something buildings need for disabled folks... sorry to hear that though. it would be tough having to go to work like that

Anyone have any trouble going up stairs https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/anyone-have-any-trouble-going-up-stairs-1185 2019-07-21 04:35:42

byumimi

08/12/2019 at 8:32 PM

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won't the exercise of using the stairs generally increase your tolerance of using the stairs??? Are you using the exhale when going up (working) and inhale when on the stair treads? Also pursed lip breathing may help....

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byumimi

Anyone have any trouble going up stairs https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/anyone-have-any-trouble-going-up-stairs-1185 2019-08-12 20:32:07

Lee__R

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08/14/2019 at 1:28 AM

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Lee__R

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@byumimi‍ excellent advice. IS that how you increased your endurance/tolerance?

Anyone have any trouble going up stairs https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/anyone-have-any-trouble-going-up-stairs-1185 2019-08-14 01:28:07

mr1964

10/08/2019 at 2:25 AM

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I have trouble going up more than 1 - 2 flights of stairs (depending on how many stairs on the flight), without having to take a break and rest. I am better, believe it or not, than I used to be. I used to have difficulty just walking on flat surface for a minimal distance.

Anyone have any trouble going up stairs https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/anyone-have-any-trouble-going-up-stairs-1185 2019-10-08 02:25:09

byumimi

10/08/2019 at 5:42 PM

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Yes along with 36 sessions at pulmonary rehab. That's where I learned the technique I described....& I was able to do TWO flights of stairs where before I could barely make it up one flight. SUCCESS!!!

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byumimi

Anyone have any trouble going up stairs https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/anyone-have-any-trouble-going-up-stairs-1185 2019-10-08 17:42:34

mr1964

10/09/2019 at 1:55 AM

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@byumimi inhale on stare treads? Are you recommending exhale when I move my leg up to the next step and then inhale when both feet are staggered and when they are on the same stair?

Anyone have any trouble going up stairs https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/anyone-have-any-trouble-going-up-stairs-1185 2019-10-09 01:55:35

brthfree

11/19/2019 at 1:20 AM

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Wow that is crazy that they do not have an elevator... you would think nowadays every business would have one/. But as others mentioned, as you continue to do it day in and day out, you will notice your ability to do it will be improved.

I would recommend resting when you need to. Do not over push it. Your body will adapt in due time as you continue to push it. I used to walk up the stairs at an apartment complex and it was extremely difficult and daunting at first, but as I kept at it, over time it became easier.

Anyone have any trouble going up stairs https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/living-with-copd/anyone-have-any-trouble-going-up-stairs-1185 2019-11-19 01:20:00

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CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

@KathyA‍, please read what I wrote above on using oxygen. I am so, so, thrilled to have portable oxygen that gave me more of my life back. I was told in 2011 when I lived in San Miguel de Allende at 6,400 ft altitude that I needed to go on oxygen, but all I saw around town was one woman with the heavy metal canisters in a cart behind her, and that looked terrible. I moved back to near sea level and put off needing oxygen all day for another seven years, just a Bipap at night.

Finally I was huffing and having to stop every few feet even near sea level, but I still didn't want to be lugging a heavy canister behind me. I ran into an old friend who was always really active, ballroom dancing, hiking, fly fishing in rivers. And there she was with an Inogen in a backpack, doing everything she'd always done!

She showed me all about hers and the total package with machine, extra 8-hour battery, two battery chargers for house and car, carrying case, and extended warranty, was around $3,300!

Finally I saved enough for it and have loved it every minute since. I started on 2 for almost a year but had to go to 3 for every day. I switch to 4 liters a minute several times a day when I still get winded bad, and have gone up to 5 for stair climbing. I worry that I will need to go higher than 5 eventually, but I hope by then there will be sronger machines developed that go higher, though then the $500 batteries only last a few hours before needing recharging, instead of 6-8.

The portable ones now are breath-operated--you have to be breathing into the nose cannula for them to work. And my BiPap at night requires continuous flow, which the big oxygen machine Medicare covers provides, so I need both machines. Some day they may all be continuous flow and still portable.

There are cheaper, refurbished units available from the Inogen factory, too. After 1 1/2 years mine started sending strange messages and I called the factory and they sent a new one out the next day! I sent them the old one back no charge. So I am pleased with service, too.

Hope this helps you accept your machine. I am so, so happy I got mine and wish Medicare paid for everyone who needed one.(I understand in a few cases they will pay for one now, but not my particular Cigna Medicare Advantage plan.)

I bet when you go to your reunion you won't be the only one on oxygen! And everyone will be so old! The ones who are already dead and not there are the ones to think about--how many of them had COPD? Fourth leading cause of death in the US before Covid, so now we're fifth. Be glad for all the help you can get! I hope you have a wonderful reunion!

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cbholder3

12/02/2022 at 3:21 PM

@Thakera Yes, even on Medicare it was $400+ a month. My Pulmonologist arranged for me to get it with no copay from GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, you can look up their assistance program at https://www.gskforyou.com/ Hope it goes okay for you, I am just in the process fo renewing mine for next year.

GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program

Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.

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CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

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cbholder3

12/02/2022 at 3:21 PM

GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program

Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.

See the best comment

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Anyone have any trouble going up stairs

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