My long-term lung illness (Bronchiectasis) often leaves me exhausted, and all I do is to lie on my bed for hours in the middle of the day, because I have such low energy levels. Nowadays I also have to use an oxygen concentrator after taking walking exercise to get my breath back, so things are not wonderful!

I want to see if a change of diet or lifestyle might help to improve my energy levels. My 'healthy' diet might not help (chicken salad, nuts, wheat bread, green tea etc). I typically eat 1 meal per day because I'm about 10 kg more than my normal weight :)

Any suggestions? I suspect that drinking energy drinks might not actually increase my energy levels :)

34 minutes ago, simon43 said:

My long-term lung illness (Bronchiectasis) often leaves me exhausted, and all I do is to lie on my bed for hours in the middle of the day, because I have such low energy levels. Nowadays I also have to use an oxygen concentrator after taking walking exercise to get my breath back, so things are not wonderful!

I want to see if a change of diet or lifestyle might help to improve my energy levels. My 'healthy' diet might not help (chicken salad, nuts, wheat bread, green tea etc). I typically eat 1 meal per day because I'm about 10 kg more than my normal weight :)

Any suggestions? I suspect that drinking energy drinks might not actually increase my energy levels :)

I suppose you know quiet well about your illness.

So here some maybe additional help:

Be active (exercises) and also try special breathing techniques ACBT.

Use PEP (oscill) devices

Use postural drainage, different body positions to remove secretion

Us a nebulizer with saline

Check your B12 level, hemoglobin, ferritin, Vit D

Are you on brensocatib medication?

Mediterranean‑style diet

add CoQ10, Omega 3 fat, NAC 600mg-1200/day

Dehydration is a hidden energy sapper, this time of year it happens easily with the high humidity, Increase water intake and take 2 electrolytes a day

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

My long-term lung illness (Bronchiectasis) often leaves me exhausted, and all I do is to lie on my bed for hours in the middle of the day, because I have such low energy levels. Nowadays I also have to use an oxygen concentrator after taking walking exercise to get my breath back, so things are not wonderful!

I want to see if a change of diet or lifestyle might help to improve my energy levels. My 'healthy' diet might not help (chicken salad, nuts, wheat bread, green tea etc). I typically eat 1 meal per day because I'm about 10 kg more than my normal weight :)

Any suggestions? I suspect that drinking energy drinks might not actually increase my energy levels :)

remove bread and dairy from your diet ASAP

Get some NADH supplements

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotinamide_adenine_dinucleotide

Have you done your blood panel lately ? Maybe start with the hormones and see if you need some TRT again, and if you have started, you need to follow up and see how your panel looking now.

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

all I do is to lie on my bed for hours in the middle of the day

No no no, do not do this.

Force yourself to be active, get up and keep active regularly, if only for short walks around the house every 20 minutes (minimum)

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

Have you done your blood panel lately ? Maybe start with the hormones and see if you need some TRT again, and if you have started, you need to follow up and see how your panel looking now.

Yes, every 6 months, and all looks good. ...

"I suppose you know quiet well about your illness.

So here some maybe additional help:

Be active (exercises) and also try special breathing techniques ACBT.

Use PEP (oscill) devices

Use postural drainage, different body positions to remove secretion

Us a nebulizer with saline

Check your B12 level, hemoglobin, ferritin, Vit D

Are you on brensocatib medication?

Mediterranean‑style diet

add CoQ10, Omega 3 fat, NAC 600mg-1200/day"

Yes, I have daily mucus thinners, breathing exercises and huffing, oscillation device, nebulizer etc, all used as needed. Most of the time, only the mucus thinner and exercise is needed. No chance of getting Brensocatib! (costs an arm and a leg!!). My diet is generally mediterranean.

Indeed, I should force myself to get up and exercise. My oxygen concentrator is portable, but so far my breathlessness is usually manageable if I breath in and out like a steam engine :)

17 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Yes, every 6 months, and all looks good. ...

"I suppose you know quiet well about your illness.

So here some maybe additional help:

Be active (exercises) and also try special breathing techniques ACBT.

Use PEP (oscill) devices

Use postural drainage, different body positions to remove secretion

Us a nebulizer with saline

Check your B12 level, hemoglobin, ferritin, Vit D

Are you on brensocatib medication?

Mediterranean‑style diet

add CoQ10, Omega 3 fat, NAC 600mg-1200/day"

Yes, I have daily mucus thinners, breathing exercises and huffing, oscillation device, nebulizer etc, all used as needed. Most of the time, only the mucus thinner and exercise is needed. No chance of getting Brensocatib! (costs an arm and a leg!!). My diet is generally mediterranean.

Indeed, I should force myself to get up and exercise. My oxygen concentrator is portable, but so far my breathlessness is usually manageable if I breath in and out like a steam engine :)

Creatine and salt work the best. I've tried the lot and they do the most. Vit bs help but you get them from meat.

Take 10g of creatine and one teaspoon of salt twice a day.

8 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Creatine and salt work the best. I've tried the lot and they do the most. Vit bs help but you get them from meat.

Take 10g of creatine and one teaspoon of salt twice a day.

Worth a try depending on the sodium level on his blood tests. I take much more than 2 teaspoons but my bet is sodium isn't his issue. Doubt creatine will do much either because he isn't active and creatine is useless if you don't need it.

Honestly, I think he knows what to do but don't want to do it.

2 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Worth a try depending on the sodium level on his blood tests. I take much more than 2 teaspoons but my bet is sodium isn't his issue. Doubt creatine will do much either because he isn't active and creatine is useless if you don't need it.

Honestly, I think he knows what to do but don't want to do it.

Most people are lacking in creatine as you can't get much from food.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Most people are lacking in creatine as you can't get much from food.

Most active people are and it can make a difference. He isn't active and I think he has other issues to address first and not look for a miracle cure.

I wish him well.

1 hour ago, atpeace said:

Worth a try depending on the sodium level on his blood tests. I take much more than 2 teaspoons but my bet is sodium isn't his issue. Doubt creatine will do much either because he isn't active and creatine is useless if you don't need it.

Honestly, I think he knows what to do but don't want to do it.

Correction - I am active! I walk at least 5km every day to keep my lungs clear. But once I get home, I am exhausted!

5 hours ago, simon43 said:

Correction - I am active! I walk at least 5km every day to keep my lungs clear. But once I get home, I am exhausted!

Creatine gets depleted but it won't help your lungs.

And B12, liver once a month is a great source

As you are eating only one meal a day, low blood sugar may be a factor.

Try eating more often even if not in larger total amount.

Bananas are very good forvraising blood sugar quickly.

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Edited June 16Jun 16 by save the frogs

Eat some beef. Protein is good for low energy. Toss in some vegetables while you’re at it.

11 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

As you are eating only one meal a day, liw blood sugar may be a factor.

Try eating more often even if not in larger total amount.

Bananas are very goid gir raising bliid sugar quickly.

Thanks - I usually eat 2 bananas a day, plus nuts, live yogurt, a chicked salad, kombucha, protein drink, some wholewheat bread, green tea, 2 cups of coffee..er... and an ice-cream in the afternoon!

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Edited June 16Jun 16 by save the frogs

29 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Thanks - I usually eat 2 bananas a day, plus nuts, live yogurt, a chicked salad, kombucha, protein drink, some wholewheat bread, green tea, 2 cups of coffee..er... and an ice-cream in the afternoon!

Experiment with timing of this intake so as to keep blood sugar more stable.

Have one of these bananas plus some nuts as soon as you het back from your walk. And with it, drink at least 500 ml water with electrolyte packet dissolved in it (assuming it is a packet that does not need more than 500 ml dilution. )

Blood sugar and fluid/electrolytes are likely explanations.

If this alone doesn't do the trick you might also divide that 5 km walk into 2, one morning and one evening. 5 km is a lot at one go for an older person with lung condition.

On 6/15/2026 at 10:10 AM, simon43 said:

My long-term lung illness (Bronchiectasis) often leaves me exhausted, and all I do is to lie on my bed for hours in the middle of the day, because I have such low energy levels. Nowadays I also have to use an oxygen concentrator after taking walking exercise to get my breath back, so things are not wonderful!

I want to see if a change of diet or lifestyle might help to improve my energy levels. My 'healthy' diet might not help (chicken salad, nuts, wheat bread, green tea etc). I typically eat 1 meal per day because I'm about 10 kg more than my normal weight :)

Any suggestions? I suspect that drinking energy drinks might not actually increase my energy levels :)

How old are you, if you don't mind saying? Advice/protocols can vary significantly depending on your age.

You've previously mentioned issues with your lungs / breathing. Do you use or have you tried NAC? It's a powerful mucolytic (meaning it breaks down mucus). This might help with your symptoms. It's an inexpensive supplement and the common dose is 600 mg twice daily. I'd definitely give this a try if you have not tried it already. It has other health benefits so if you're not familiar with it then do Google NAC for more info.

5 hours ago, SBNZ said:

You've previously mentioned issues with your lungs / breathing. Do you use or have you tried NAC? It's a powerful mucolytic (meaning it breaks down mucus). This might help with your symptoms. It's an inexpensive supplement and the common dose is 600 mg twice daily. I'd definitely give this a try if you have not tried it already. It has other health benefits so if you're not familiar with it then do Google NAC for more info.

Thanks - I already take a daily mucus thinner which works very well. Right now, I'm 'in remission', meaning that I'm not having a flare-up which typically reduces my blood oxygen level to about 83%. I walked up and down 2 hills to get to the 7/11 to buy breakfast, 2.5km and didn't get breathless, so I'm happy today :)

Hope you're feeling well soon, Brother.

On 6/16/2026 at 1:29 PM, simon43 said:

Thanks - I usually eat 2 bananas a day, plus nuts, live yogurt, a chicked salad, kombucha, protein drink, some wholewheat bread, green tea, 2 cups of coffee..er... and an ice-cream in the afternoon!

Try junk food instead lol

I wish you all the best.

You could have a look at the Wim Hof breathing method, though maybe not suitable for you.

On 6/15/2026 at 3:58 PM, D Peter said:

I suppose you know quiet well about your illness.

So here some maybe additional help:

Be active (exercises) and also try special breathing techniques ACBT.

Use PEP (oscill) devices

Use postural drainage, different body positions to remove secretion

Us a nebulizer with saline

Check your B12 level, hemoglobin, ferritin, Vit D

Are you on brensocatib medication?

Mediterranean‑style diet

add CoQ10, Omega 3 fat, NAC 600mg-1200/day

On 6/15/2026 at 3:58 PM, D Peter said:

I suppose you know quiet well about your illness.

So here some maybe additional help:

Be active (exercises) and also try special breathing techniques ACBT.

Use PEP (oscill) devices

Use postural drainage, different body positions to remove secretion

Us a nebulizer with saline

Check your B12 level, hemoglobin, ferritin, Vit D

Are you on brensocatib medication?

Mediterranean‑style diet

add CoQ10, Omega 3 fat, NAC 600mg-1200/day

On 6/15/2026 at 3:58 PM, D Peter said:

I suppose you know quiet well about your illness.

So here some maybe additional help:

Be active (exercises) and also try special breathing techniques ACBT.

Use PEP (oscill) devices

Use postural drainage, different body positions to remove secretion

Us a nebulizer with saline

Check your B12 level, hemoglobin, ferritin, Vit D

Are you on brensocatib medication?

Mediterranean‑style diet

add CoQ10, Omega 3 fat, NAC 600mg-1200/day

Nitric Oxide may help... it lets the blood vessels dilate and allows better oxygen flow.

B vitamins mentioned.

Maybe try an iron supplement; improves hemoglobin as mentioned

Several smaller meals per day may smooth out digestion/metabolism surges

Some medications may cause shortness of breath; check with your doctor.

I stopped wxnking for a week.

Try it,it worked for me.