Limitations? and CF

[anonymous]

My son was just recently diagnosed with CF (3 and 1/2 years old). His problems are mainly intestinal at this point although we do a lot of the daily therapies to keep his lungs healthy. I was reading that the only thing that those with CF should NOT do was to go scuba diving. I have always wanted to take my son snow skiing when he was old enough - does that seem like a bad idea? Anyone with CF spend time snow skiing, and if so, any problems? Perhaps I should take him while he is really young (and lungs still in excellent shape) - or should I avoid it all together? Or maybe it's not an issue? I will be asking my doctor about this - just wanted some of your input!I didn't know if the altitude and cold air would be a problem.Thanks!Darlamother of Jared (3 with CF)

 

[anonymous]

Hi,I´m 42 with cf. As far as I know, every kind of sport is good(except diving because of the pressures).When I was younger, I went skiing,horeseback-riding,played squash and danced a lot. I know a man with cf in Munich ( about 30 ) who is doing maratons and he is running every day for his training. Another one I know plays soccer and goes mountainbiking. If he has fun, he should do it!ByeUli

 

[anonymous]

I went snow skiing when I was mid-20's and it didn't bother me at all except for the sore knees from wiping out so much, but what was funny was those little kids w/o poles were just buzzing right past me!I think if you have some real lung issues, the altitude would be bothersome, but if he doesn't get short of breath w/ normal play excercise, I think he should be fine.As you mentioned, ask your Dr since he knows the details of your son's health.Good Luck

 

[Mockingbird]

Hello, Darla. I never had aproblem with cold air or high altitutes, but that is what I grew up in. If you live in an area with low altitudes or colder air, your son might have a few minor problems. Meaning, he might be out of breath a lot more, or, in the case of the cold air, cough more than usual. I don't think there would be anything more serious than that, but it is a good idea to check with the doctor, just in case. =-)Jarod (with an o, not an e =-)22 with CF

 

[anonymous]

I think ALL exercise helps. Once my daughter got really involved in dance, her health improved dramatically. She danced about 11 hours a week from age 10 on.She is now in college, lives in a dorm, still dances, still healthy. You might be suprised at the normal life your child can experience. There is more to worry about, for sure, and there is a lot of work involved in cleaning nebulizer parts and counting pills and washing out the puffers, but CF is not necessarily a grim process. Good luck.

 

[anonymous]

I've been snowboarding for two years now and love it. It doesn't effect me at all!! My parents have never held me back from ANYTHING. I'm 22 and was diagnosed at 18 months. I've played every sports on varsity high school teams and now I'm in a band. If you can, don't hold your child back at all.....Treat them like any other kid, I was and it has paid off!!Good luck,Emily 22 pwcf

 

[anonymous]

If he feels well enough to do it, he can do anything. I used to ski LOTS starting right before my 3rd birthday and the clinic was thrilled with that, it does good stuff to your lungs cause you are getting a GREAT workout. Not to mention his lungs would get used to change, when i did this i found it easier to travel to different climates.Julie

 

[anonymous]

i dont know of any general rule that pwcf cant go scubadiving....BUT if you have had a pneumothorax recently, or if you have a cyst or bullae in your lung that the doctor thinks is likely to pop, then you are advised not to fly or dive (anything that changes the pressure within the lungs suddenly). i have had both the bullae and the pneumothorax so feel free to ask any questions, but dont worry, they are not necessarily going to be complications you experience, and i know very few others with cf that have had that problem <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[HollyCatheryn]

I went skiing a few times in my teens and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had no lung problems, but like the other person who replied, my inexperience led to sore muscles and bruised pride. If I had the chance now I'd go again. I also echo what another poster said that exercise is the best thing for your body. Before I statred on the swim team, my PFT's were really good (about 105%) all the time.After I'd been swimming daily for a while my PFT's hung around 145-150%! Nobody could believe it. Get his body working, even ticking, wrestling, and laughing at home can be of extreme benefit. Enjoy your life together and let him make the most of it. HollyCatheryn25 w/ CF mother of 2 yr old w/o CF

 

[anonymous]

Darla,I was always told by my CF doc that I could do ANYTHING except scuba dive and sky dive, because of the pressure changes. Any kind of sport or activity/exercise is good for CFers to keep in shape and to help clear the lungs of mucus.Martha 29, CF

 

[anonymous]

I've been sky diveing and not had any problems. I loved it. I also ride mountain bikes and surf. It helps way more than anything else I have done to keep my lungs clear. Colin D. Shots 21 with cf

 

[anonymous]

Thanks all for your replies - they made me feel much better! I think that my son will love the snow and the mountains!! We don't see much of that in Texas!Thanks again!Darla

 

[anonymous]

about the scuba....one of my docs, who also happened to be a scuba instructor would never let CF patients dive. His reasoning is that we tend to develop pockets in our lungs. Apparently the compression and decompression of gases in these pockets could cause a nasty problem. On the other had, my current doctor thinks it might even be good for CFers to scuba. I would love to do it myself. But unitl I get a definitive answer I choose not to since one doc said no.Jake