recovery from flu

[debbie58]

How long does it take to totally recover from the flu with emphysema?  It's been 6 weeks and my walking time is still only half of what I could do before the flu.

[debbie58]

Thank you and thank you again.  A reasonable answer to a simple question.  I'm plugging away, but as soon as I really think I'm making headway, it gets hard again.  Trying to stay away from germs is hard, especially when you have a germy,annoying and demanding family , it can be hard. (that's why in my profile I describe myself as CRABBY)  Happy holidays to all!

[Debser]

Just keep building up your strength and try not to worry about how long it takes. Managing our health with a chronic condition is an ongoing process, You must simply keep plugging along and you will get there. good luck

[debbie58]

Thank you for responding.  I probably should add some to my profile, but first, I DID HAVE MY VACCINES.  I DO TAKE MY VITAMINS.  My Dr. told me that an exacerbating event usually entails a visit to the hospital.  This did not occur.  I took my prophylactic antibiotic ( zythromax) over a weekend.  On monday I called my Dr. and went in and he put me on a nebulizer.  Everything was loosening up but wouldn't cough up.  Then the Dr. put me on levequil and the nebulizer, which worked.  My O2 levels dropped to 88% at the lowest and as a week ago were back up to 95%. ( NORMAL).  I wanted to know ( from someone with a lung disorder) when I could expect my endurance levels would return. One hour on the treadmill.  I'm now at 70% (going up!).  Now as to my profile, I have a degree in environmental science.  My husband is a behavioral psychologist working on his PHD. in clinical psychology.  I have a live in son who has his undergraduate degrees in molecular genetics and bio-chemistry, 2 MS. degrees( bio-chemistry and plant cellular and molecular biology) Not to brag, but to both responses I got to my question-vaccines are not created equally ( this year the flu vaccine is right on, last year? Not so much!  They also don't always TOTALLY protect and unless you want to be the bubble person, you're going to be exposed  no matter what precautions we take, we will be exposed, from time to time.  I want to thank you anyways .

[teko]

Unfortunately, each time you have an exacerbation when you have emphysema, it causes permanant lung damage each time and reduces your lung capacity. This is why they recommend the vaccines and to stay out of the public eye as much as possible. You may never get back to where you were before the flu.  I take Vit C 1000 with bioflavenoids and rosehips to keep immune system in as good a condition as possible and stay as active as you can muster. Hope this helps some.

[debbie58]

Thank you for your comment.  I did have my flu shot on the 30th of sept.  Unfortunately I had been exposed 3 days earlier and I'm sure you know it takes about a week for the shot to be effective.  Ohio was one of 7 states that was lucky to have early outbreaks this year.  My O2 levels are back to normal, I was wondering when my endurance, I usually walk on the treadmill for about an hour at a time, would return.  Right now I'm about 50%.

[warros]

Debbie,

I'm not sure you could quantify this. I am certainly no expert, however, I haven't had the flu because I get a shot every year because I am at high risk because of Diabetes. Why didn't you have a shot because it's obvious you are at high risk as well? Given that I would say that it could take a long time to fully recover from the flu. Maybe even 3 months or more would be my guess. I have had pneumonia in the past and that took a long, long time befor I full recovered. I would advise you to ask your Doctor about this. It would not surprise me if he/she said something similar to what I have written. Hope this helps.