Swimming

[katethekid]

I have CF and have recently noticed that my chest feels very heavy and tight when I submerge. I swam competitively for 6 years, placing in state in the 100 butterfly my 10th grade year before I got sick. It just seems wierd to me that I am not comfortable in the water anymore when I grew up swimming everyday even before I swam competitively. I think swimming helped improve my lung capacity greatly and even helped stave off my CF somewhat. Has anyone else with CF experienced this same discomfort in the water? I really want to start swimming again for exercise to help my CF, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to with this level of discomfort. I almost start to panic when it happens like I'm afraid I'm not getting enough air. Thanks in advance <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Cesco]

Sometimes when I just jump into water I suddenly feel as if my lungs become made of water and start braking apart inside. It's extremely weird; very similar as if I'd be bleeding inside. It goes away with a bit of cough and I don't think it is actually blood, but it must be some kind of fluid: it can't be just a feeling as I actually cough something out. yet I've never seen what is it, I don't usually spit and I surely don't in public pools. My doctor said it's quite odd... heh, I would've said it was normal... geez.

 

[katethekid]

Well it does make me feel better to know I'm not alone in that regard. I guess we're just oddities lol. I thought at first it was just because I was out of shape or not used to the water, but it stayed the same after making myself go in the water everyday and exercising outside the water. My hubby and I started hiking and camping more thinking that would help. Best way I can describe the feeling I get in the water is like an elephant is sitting on my chest. Obviously not a realistic description, but that's what I've described that feeling as when I was growing up. I guess we all have our set backs, I just hope I can continue to swim, I'll try coughing next time and see if that alleviates some of the pressure.

 

[imported_Momto2]

Yes, I have that reaction too. I feel like I am going to drown. What has helped my confidence is swimming with a snorkel. That way I can cough my brains out and still not get really out of breath or feel panicky in the water. When I get going hard over 20-30 laps or so, the snorkel does restrict my breathing a little bit, but it also acts in a fashion that helps bring up phlem. Swimming is definitely mentally and physically therapeutic. Hope you can get back to it! Just remember to disinfect the snorkel : )

 

[katethekid]

I'll try the snorkel, that's a good idea. Glad you mentioned disinfecting the snorkel too because I wouldn't have thought of that, lol. I used to swim endurance races and that would be great for exercise to improve my PFT's.

 

[static]

I grew up doing competitive swimming as well and had that same feeling of tightness/breathlessness the first time I got in after a fewyearsoff. The feeling lastedfor a few days every time I got into the pool but eventually went away.
Something about swimming just makes it so much easier to cough up the mucus than anything else. I usually get more up in the shower at the gym after a good swim than I do during my airway clearance with vest and hypertonic saline. Ofcourse I routinely get asked if I smoke, or told to stop smoking (which I never have) but its something I'm forced to dealwith for all the benefitsswimming provides.

 

[katethekid]

@static.. Awesome, I'm glad this is a normal feeling and look forward to getting back in the water this summer. Assuming it ever really warms up lol. Gotta love how everyone assumes we are smokers because of our cough... I get the same response quite often.

 

[jaychristian457]

Make hay while Sun shines.

 

[Melissa75]

Hi,
I'm resurrecting this thread rather than starting a new one...to complain of how cruddy my lungs felt when I tried to swim laps today. This is not something I ever do, so I knew it would be hard. But every time I stopped (which was A LOT in the 25 minutes I swam) it was like someone was squeezing the lower half of my chest. I am guessing this is the slight difference in water pressure vs. air pressure. It felt hard to take the big overinflated breaths I love so much. I also coughed a lot and got yelled at by the lifeguard for not using the ladder (come on, let me at least show off that I can climb aka hoist myself out in one move) and I couldn't see s^^t with my -10 myopia. But hey, I did it and I may try it again. Maybe. Just to annoy the lifeguard

 

[running4life]

Kate,

I have begun swimming to train for a triathalon. Getting back in the pool after not swimming regularly (use to swim 1 mile a day a few years ago) was very tough. I could only do 6 laps at once and had a lot of anxiety doing so. I would say keep doing it and force yourself. Make up your mind to do 3 laps today, 4 laps tomorrow, 5 laps next day, etc. Do it as slow as you need. It took me a while to get use to it again but you totally can do it!! Good luck!

 

[Gemmy]

Swimming is best fitness exercise.Such a workout helps to elevate heart rate and burn calories. Many other potential benefits of this activity can be cited, like its ability to sculpt lean muscle, and the relaxing nature of being in the water.

 

[briannavanzetti]

I would love to do swimming especially in the evening time. This is one of the best aerobic exercises in which your all body parts get movement.

 

[Steve143]

Swimming is an useful workout for fitness. It helps in burning fats of body and than maintaining body weight. swimming makes your stronger, build hip, back and shoulder muscles. I love it.