Hello all,

I think I’ve taking my frustrations to a darker place and am looking for some other perspectives and maybe a little encouragement as things just seem to be difficult…

Earlier this year I had a week long stint at a hospital due to a serious pneumonia and flu issue that almost took me….permanently. I’ve been struggling to come to grips with a significantly reduced lung capacity which has affected everything from exercise, eating, and of course playing the horn. It’s just hard and at times, even almost a year later, it still hurts, especially when trying to take a deep breath…

I don’t know who else may have dealt with something like this. It just, sucks. Every time I seem to gain traction and start getting better playing, I get laid up again and seem to have to start from scratch again. It is frustrating to say the least…I guess I have one main question which is more just speaking to the room than anything else…

Does it ever get better? Maybe not back the way it was before illness, but does it get better?

Thanks for reading the rant…just really needed to sound this one off as it’s kinda eating at me…

I fell in a cold February lake and almost drowned 20 years ago. The cold water burned my lungs, and it has taken some time to gain lung function back. Some things do get better, but for other things, the only thing that gets better is how you feel about yourself. I can't play the long lines I used to play 30 years ago, but I find a way to make it work going forward. Age doesn't improve things after a certain point. Find a way to be ok with where you are now.

I had pneumonia about 25 years ago. Fortunately not with the long lasting effects you have had.

I'm just brainstorming...

You say it hurts to breathe deeply. Has the nature of this been explained to you? I'm wondering if the pain is a sign that you are causing new damage or if it is just there.

Is it possible there is a rehab regime for it?

For example: if you inhaled to the point where it begins to hurt, then went a little past that and practiced pushing that point every day would your pain-free lung capacity get better over time?

i have no idea. I'd presume a doctor would have thought of all this already but they don't always think of everything.

I had a pretty awful, multi-month pneumonia last year. I didn’t realize it could cause permanent damage so I wasn’t as aggressive about treating it as I should have been. Took three different rounds of different antibiotics to clear it all out. I was sick from like March until July. I didn’t realize suffer some permanent lung function loss. It took awhile, but my body has gotten mostly used to it.

The one thing that helped a lot is exercise to increase efficiency of what I do have. If I get 30 minutes of120bpm exercise a day, I feel pretty good. Getting there took awhile and if I lapse a week, I have to build that endurance back though.

If there is permanent damage to your lungs, there isn't much you can do about it except get used to it.

I had a terrifying period where I had tumors in my lungs. Now they're gone. But they left a lot of permanent scar tissue, and that has decreased the flexibility and volume of my lungs. The only things I can do about it are to make sure I have a very open posture and that I'm maximizing each inhalation. Other than that, you just have to find a workaround for permanent damage.

Last year I crashed riding my bicycle and broke four ribs. A bit later I ended up in the hospital so 2-1/2 liters of fluid could be removed from around my right lung. It’s been a long road back and as hyperbolica mentioned, aging doesn’t help. It’s really frustrating to sit next to someone healthier and younger get through a long phrase effortlessly while I struggle and need to sneak a breath in somewhere. Not good for a bass trombonist.

I try to do 15-30 minutes of Arnold Jacobs type breathing exercises each day and those seem to help but only so much.

You are definitely not alone in this.

Yes, it gets easier to use your remaining lung capacity if you’re willing to work at it and be patient with yourself.

I was sickly as a child. Croup at age 3, allergies, toxoplasmosis, myocarditis… they all took their toll. In 2017 at age 55, I was diagnosed with asthma. I’ve had numerous bouts of bronchitis, pneumonia x2, a moderate episode of COVID, and two mild ones. I’m still playing—odds be damned.

When you’re feeling well, start slowly. For example, the first week of returning to playing, use only about 66% of your maximum playing capacity—not a technical term, but what I call the largest inhalation I use while playing that doesn’t feel like I’m increasing tension. Don’t worry about numbers (vital capacity, flow volume, etc.). Just use what feels about 2/3 of what you normally use while playing.

Reduce dynamics so you can still play a phrase. Don’t be concerned about range, especially the lower register. If it takes you an entire lungful to play a low F at mp, so be it. Stick with fundamentals. If all you do in a day is a warm-up, that’s great. If you can do some technical stuff and a vocalise-type study, even better.

The main idea: develop efficiency with your remaining lung capacity. Never play until your lungs, ribs, or abdomen hurt.

Next week, try to use only about 70% of your maximum capacity. Then 75%. Increase as you’re able to tolerate. Of course, continue to do any respiratory therapy and/or deep breathing exercises.

You might consider massage to help ease any soft-tissue tightness.

I’m glad you made it. Welcome back!

Thanks much for all the responses. I guess I really do have to work on the patience and acceptance parts of this equation.

I do have a bit of an answer as to why it still hurts…there still seems to be either a collapsed portion of the lung, or it is scarring over. I have another follow up with the doc to get further on it, I’m hoping it’s just collapsed and that treatment will help with restoring at least some of the lost function.

I think some of this advise has shown me that I am trying to push back to fast when getting back into things…again a patience issue…starting to notice a trend in myself…

Thanks again for hearing me out and sharing your struggles to, it means a lot.