Swimming Continously Hurrah.

For years, I could lap swim continuously. then gradually I found that I could only swim one or two laps, then had to stop and breathe. For a while I even had to pant and rest on the floor after taking a shower..

But tonight, for the first time in about a year, I found myself swimming continuously.

Could this have something to do with that damm mask I keep putting on my face each night !!!!!!

John M

I'm finding I don't trail behind my husband when we walk uphill now. In fact i suspect he struggles to keep up with me.

Oxygen = good stuff!!!!

O2 ... it's the fuel of life!

Congrats!

Good for you, John! Swimming is really good for your joints. Likewise, oxygen is really good for your lungs...

John, This is the most thrilling news! And very motivating. I stopped lap swimming several years ago when I developed vertigo for the first time and have started and stopped several times with subsequent attacks. Old injuries prevent me from walking vigorously and my body is weak overall, possibly from valvular heart problems, so swimming is absolutely crucial to my physical and mental well being. My internist finally told me "we can treat the vertigo" so I should not be afraid to swim.

During the time since my first laps lapse, my breathing has become stressed and I get short of breath climbing up even slight hills. Almost a year on CPAP has not helped this. I have just gotten back into swimming laps 3 to 4 times a week and, thankfully, have already reached the phase where I absolutely crave it, which is a wonderfully healthy feeling for me, and I know that my body and spirit will benefit from my swimming seriously and often.

Thanks for posting your "Energy Increase Project" with results of your sleep studies. It is interesting that your AHI was only 5.5/hr but your lowest desat was 66%. I noted that your doctor was surprised over the low AHI but "significant" desat. My AHI was severe at 89x/hr.

I am interested to know what else you are doing to increase your energy, such as dietary changes, vitamins/supplements, and other forms of exercise. Do you work out in a gym? I was in a healthy heart program this time last year and used weight machines under supervision. I got frustrated when I could not advance on the weights and there were days when I felt too weak to resume where I had been. Then I stopped working out altogether when my adjustment to CPAP was difficult.

Now I am back at the lowest weights again but am trying to persist. This time I will try not to become discouraged and will increase the reps until I can add weight. My staying with a serious gym program and lap swimming are more critical than ever since my latest echocardiogram showed a worsening in stenosis of my aortic valve, a big jump from just one year ago and corresponding with the time when I backed away from cardiovascular training, weight training, and lap swimming. I wish I could "redo" last year.

Keep up the good work and let us know about your progress.

HURRAH JOHN!!!!

You give me hope!!! I've had better energy this week - and accomplished alot for OTHER PEOPLE... Maybe my house will get cleaned this weekend? Maybe the dishes will get done so I have a plate to eat off of? Maybe I can walk through the living room without tripping over stuff?

Cheers and keep going! Write when you get to Australia!
B.

Babette wrote:HURRAH JOHN!!!!

You give me hope!!! I've had better energy this week - and accomplished alot for OTHER PEOPLE... Maybe my house will get cleaned this weekend? Maybe the dishes will get done so I have a plate to eat off of? Maybe I can walk through the living room without tripping over stuff?

Cheers and keep going! Write when you get to Australia!
B.

We already know you don't stack the dirty dishes on the table. Jim

Actually, I don't.

The table is covered in sewing projects.

LOL,
B.