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Exercising and COPD - any recommendations? Physical Therapy?

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Exercising and COPD - any recommendations? Physical Therapy?

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NYnNJ1

03/31/2018 at 5:46 AM

NYnNJ1

Last activity on 06/18/2020 at 5:31 PM

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Hello all, I am 52 years old and have been recently diagnosed with COPD, mild stage.

The doctor recommended that I begin an exercise program of about 20 - 30 minutes 3-5 days a week of moderate cardiovascular exercise.

He scheduled me for a PT appointment to go over this and begin a program.

I am curious to what exercise regimens you all do here?

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rambosk

04/04/2018 at 2:58 AM

rambosk

Last activity on 03/24/2025 at 1:31 AM

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I would like to know the same.

Exercising and COPD - any recommendations? Physical Therapy? https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/your-opinion-on-copd-treatments/exercising-and-copd-any-recommendations-physical-therapy-96 2018-04-04 02:58:36

cr90931!

04/12/2018 at 2:26 AM

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Last activity on 06/15/2020 at 7:08 PM

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I am intersted in the same in hearing from others. Currently I am walking 2 miles every morning. I started with walking .5 mile and have gradually built it up. I can tell that over the course of these last two months, I have been able to breathe a little bit easier. I have also tried to do a little strength training about 3 times a week - very mild.

The doctor says the more exercise and better shape I am in the better the organs can use the oxygen.

brthfree

04/20/2018 at 5:14 AM

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brthfree

Last activity on 12/24/2023 at 10:47 PM

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I walk and bicycle. I walk every morning for about 30 minutes around the block and also do bicycling on the stationary, when I can. There is no set time for the bicycle, but I try to do it at least 3 times a week.

Kathis981

05/11/2018 at 1:28 AM

Kathis981

Last activity on 05/11/2018 at 5:06 AM

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I believe pulmonary rehab saved my life. When I started I could barely walk 3 minutes. I'm doing 1 hour of exercise 3 to 4 times a week now. Feeling so much stronger.

Exercise helped more than any medicine ever did. But I needed the help I was given in rehab to figure out how to work up to where I am now, and to manage set backs.

NYnNJ1

05/12/2018 at 10:21 PM

NYnNJ1

Last activity on 06/18/2020 at 5:31 PM

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How long did it take you to get to 3 to 4 days ? Can you tell if 6ou can breathe easier?

Cherylynn

06/16/2018 at 3:03 PM

Cherylynn

Last activity on 06/28/2020 at 2:18 PM

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I started Pulmonary Rehab a few weeks ago and I can already feel a difference. I recommend it to anyone. I go twice a week and am still on Level 1 of most machines, but it took me a long time to get this bad, so I figure it's going to take me awhile to feel better.

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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

@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

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

CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

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