Pulmonary rehab. What stage do you have to be at to go in a program course? Whay at you accessed on?

[carolcolley]

I would like to attend one so I can learn more about Copd and what I can do to help myself and what I can expect in the future. Regards Carol

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Hi carolcolley. You can be at any stage to attend PR. Ask your doctor or pulmonary nurse. Give them a push if you have to,

[Hidden]

As Puff says Carol, ask for a referral to a pulmonary rehabilitation course. Just say to the doc what you have said here ....

"I would like to attend one so I can learn more about Copd and what I can do to help myself " etc

Best wishes BC

[carolcolley]

Thank you both four your replies. I did ask at the doctors and was told that I wasn't bad enough although I was diagnosed at moderate. I am seeing another doctor at the hospital in a couple of weeks so I shall ask again. Thank you again for your advice.

[linsabout]

The waiting lists are very long in some areas so it would be worth asking now to at least get on the list.

[Hidden in reply to linsabout]

this is true, I waited 6 months to attend a course but it was well worth the wait

I've heard some only wait 2 months though.

[carolcolley in reply to linsabout]

Thank you. I will push for it when I am next at the hospital. I feel like it would be beneficial to attend them not just to learn the exercises but to get a better understanding of the desease.

[mogli712]

Resources are limited here I was told places on a course were given for those under fifty percent with priority given for those with greatest need. I found the course of great benefit emphasizing how we must continue using everything we had learned in self managing our condition so we would not keep coming back using the limited resources.

[carolcolley in reply to mogli712]

It's a sad reflection of this country that some get the help and others don't. My personal view its that if people who are able and willing to help themselves are given some guidance and tools, we would not need to use up resources which are limited as we hopefully will keep ourselves in better condition and maintain our health for longer thus saving the nhs in the long term. Oh well I will try and sell my consultant on that theory.

[jcsy]

I have been on a PR course last year, I have both heart and lung conditions,I learnt a great deal but sill suffer with anxiety and depression at times.

To attend another PR course would be depriving somebody who has never received this as the waiting lists show, simply there is a lot of demand, if people attend 2 or three times, it does not make for fairness for those who are tought something that they should be implementing daily after the course is completed, no need to go again ?

[BigGLomond]

I am starting my course tomorrow and I asked if I could be referred. I was told that people at all stages of the disease can go on the course. I was assessed as 'moderate'.

[carolcolley in reply to BigGLomond]

Thank you. All these replies have been helpful as I have asked to go to provide and was told that I wasn't severe enough but now I read that many people at the same stage are going then I am going to have some ammunition to fight with when I go next week to the hospital. Thank you everyone

[brooksju]

Hi Carol, I have been doing PR coarse for a year now and its the best, the exercises and information you get is great plus you are with people the same, some worse than others, the physio nurses are very helpful and understanding too, try and get on one asap, doesn't matter what stage you are at, good luck.

Take care xx

Jude

[carolcolley]

This is my reason too. I don't like the way I feel and I need to do something more constructive but I need more guidance. I stopped smoking immediately and haven't had one since I was diagnosed but I feel worse than ever and I feel like I am going downhill so I just want to understand whats happening and have people to talk to in detail about it. My doctor has been dreadful and I feelabandoned by the professionals! Hour I get a result. But just to day again thank you for taking the time to reply.

[onamission]

I'm level 4 and have never been on one of these courses might give this a go.