17 replies to this topic

[huffpuff]

Hi!! Sometimes one just never knows what it may be like from one day to the next. My worst days are after a major function day, like going to town to run a few errands. My game plan is to reserve the next day or two for loafing. On a day that there seems to be no good reason for a bad day, sometimes doing a bit of exercising can help to get the blood flowing, thus feeling a lot better. Doesn't mean necessarily a lot, but some hand weights, a little walking, just to get out of the chair and move can really help.

Yours In Better Breathing,
Patrick In So. OR

[eyejustam]

huffpuff, on Feb 24 2004, 04:36 PM, said:

Hi!! Sometimes one just never knows what it may be like from one day to the next. My worst days are after a major function day, like going to town to run a few errands. My game plan is to reserve the next day or two for loafing. On a day that there seems to be no good reason for a bad day, sometimes doing a bit of exercising can help to get the blood flowing, thus feeling a lot better. Doesn't mean necessarily a lot, but some hand weights, a little walking, just to get out of the chair and move can really help.

Yours In Better Breathing,
Patrick In So. OR

[eyejustam]

huffpuff, on Feb 24 2004, 04:36 PM, said:

Hi!! Sometimes one just never knows what it may be like from one day to the next. My worst days are after a major function day, like going to town to run a few errands. My game plan is to reserve the next day or two for loafing. On a day that there seems to be no good reason for a bad day, sometimes doing a bit of exercising can help to get the blood flowing, thus feeling a lot better. Doesn't mean necessarily a lot, but some hand weights, a little walking, just to get out of the chair and move can really help.

Yours In Better Breathing,
Patrick In So. OR

[Tim]

I agree Tippy,

I think one of the most important things for me is to try and remain
calm and not get excited about it. If not, I find myself gasping for
air and that affects everyone around me.

Sitting quietly and concentrating on my breathing affords me the opportunity
to not only get my breathing under control but to keep anxiety at bay.

It sometimes means that the task at hand has to wait but that's OK. It's
not going any where.

[Trudy]

Eyejustam, thanks so much for bringing up this post from 2004. I haven't been here that long, so I've missed a lot of good posts that I'll never possibly catch up on.

Huffpuff, you said back then that your worst days are after major function days. I find that true with me also, especially when I've ignored pacing myself. I THINK I'm starting to learn to rest when I should and move when I should, but I'm a slow learner. I don't know if you're still around this board, Huffpuff, but isn't it amazing how your post can still resonate within one's feelings even though it's over 3 years ago that you wrote it?!

Tippy, I'm SO GLAD to see your posts again! Thanks for your sound advice. You, too, Tim. I often focus too much on what I'm not getting done than on the present situation of SOB. Everything takes so much longer, and I see the dust bunnies, etc., and I let it eat at me that I can't keep up. Then my mind feels overwhelmed and I can't relax and I just get more SOB!

Love,
Trudy

[Trudy]

Hi Serra,

You must have posted while I was still writing. Yes, I feel that pressure also as you'll see from my post. You're so right. It's definitely not a good thing. Sounds like we both need to concentrate on calming ourselves.

[Beverly-IN]

When I have a bad breathing day, I use visualizing and think of the mountains in North Carolina and I also went to Florida the ocean and the beautiful sunset on the ocean! If its really bad, then I concentrate on my purslip breathing and my Pulmo Dr said I could set my notch up one on my regulator until I settle down then go back to my normal setting. I don't want to get to used to that though.

I just have to remember not to rush, and that is hard when we are all used to hurrying to get certain jobs done,and used to being really active people!

[SanEll]

Eileen/MA, on Jun 25 2008, 07:13 PM, said:

Pacing is so important, isn't it! It's a tough one to be consistent with too. Thanks, Bev.

I can always tell when it's a "Bad Air Day " my breathing is labored, I start sweating, so I try to calm my self and think pleasant thoughts and do "PLB" that really does helpl a lot, also sit if you can and try to relax. Lots of good replies on this post. Thanks, Jane for asking.

Breathe Easy,

Sandy

[helenfl]

SanEll, on Jul 20 2008, 11:23 AM, said:

I can always tell when it's a "Bad Air Day " my breathing is labored, I start sweating, so I try to calm my self and think pleasant thoughts and do "PLB" that really does helpl a lot, also sit if you can and try to relax. Lots of good replies on this post. Thanks, Jane for asking.

Breathe Easy,

Sandy

That's one of the things I find discouraging--feeling almost great one day, lousy the next. Nightime is the worst for me, it seems I can't sleep well, start worrying about my breathing because you can't plb while sleeping. Then I'm really tired the next day, and feel hopeless.

[Darrell]

Helen,
COPD has a lot of highs and lows but those lows can be just plain frustrating and if you add in sleeplessness you just compound the problems. I am learning to deal with those issues and for me feeling better includes being more active, being around other people when I can, and I use medication if I feel like I need help pulling myself back up. My Doc has been really great about helping me get beyond these low spots and believe me he has seen me at my worst. All Docs are different but they all know that COPD can get you down at times and they should be pleased if you are open and come to them for support. Also there is BBLW where we will all try to help you deal with different situations.
Darrell