What does pulmonary rehab consist of ... - Lung Conditions C...
What does pulmonary rehab consist of and does it help to start breathing normally again?
Rehab is where respiratory nurses teach you how to exercise safely, you would have to be referred by your doctor or consultant and quite often after a hospital stay or exacerbation. I'm just doing my second one, it does help improve your breathing but I wouldn't say it would make it normal again. But it depends on what condition you have, but it's not just about exercise they teach breathing techniques about diet, medications, depression and anxiety it just gives you a better understanding of what's happening and you meet other people so you don't feel so isolated.
Kim xxx
Hi kimmy59 has given you a great description - I can only add that it was very positive for my husband and gave him control of Copd rather than the other way round! If you get the option I would recommend it -we has to keep asking the doctor for a referral but we got there in the end! TAD xx
When we don't exercise, our muscles waste which makes activity even harder causing more breathlessness, which discourages us from exercising and the muscles waste even more - vicious circle. PR reverses this process - what the PR exercises do is to strengthen your muscles so that they can then use oxygen more efficiently. So you will be able to do more, more easily, and you won't get as breathless as you used to.
I was going to ask the same question as I read something the other day that basically said that PR doesn't really improve your breathing or lung function, just basically desensitizes you to the breathlessness so you can cope with it better or not get in a panic when becoming short of breath. It seems that at least some actually seem to gain some amount from it more than just making you feel better when becoming short of breath. I am sure like most things it is different for everyone at least to some degree, but any gain is great.
I was referd to PR never went had a leaflet from the assement and thought I can't do this. After reading these replies wondering if I gave up before I gave it a go might go its Wedensdays and Fridays for up to 2 hours.
It's always worth giving it a go, nothing to lose and possibly much gain to be had. Give it a go Victoria, as Kimmy says, it's not all about exercise. P
The important point to remember is that although the idea of it may seem daunting before you first go, everyone starts from where they are - the physios will be sensitive to that and no-one will push you to do more than you can.
The exercises are built up slowly week on week. You start - well mine did anyway - at one minute exercise and three minutes rest, and gradually that ratio changes so that you end doing 3 minute on each different exercise with 1 1/2 minute rest. People in my class had hugely varying abilities and all improved a lot. It really is worth it. Something to remember is that getting breathless with exercise is helpful for the condition - that may seem counter-intuitive but its true, and if you panic about breathing the physios will help you get over that too. Good luck.
They must be brutal in my area. We have the initial assessment then the rehab is twice a week for two hours, our exercises are 5 minutes each with 1 minute rest and we have 10 stations followed by the talk. Maybe they're trying to finish us off.
Kim xxx
Victoria lots of people wait ages to get offerred pr. as in some areas the waiting lists are long. Yes I think you should definitely go. You will learn a lot that will help you to delay the progression of your COPD
olgamarie,hello If it's like the clinic in Holland that I went to it's a 3 day stay ,where they take blood samples ,test your lung strength by making you blow through a tube ,a 6 minute walk where you have to go as far as you can and ,and a load more exersize tests .So bring some comfortable clothes to exersize in .I went through it last year and it plus the 3 x times a week theraphy I had to do for the 4 months in our local hostpital helped me very much .Some clinics let you stay for 6 weeks and you can come home at the weekend ,but I dont know about the UK sorry .Anyway all the best .thomlin
thomlin How fortunate you are to have such excellent facilities in your area. The closest we have is almost 100 miles away. I would love to go to yours. Sounds like they really have a handle on this.
100 miles is outrageous as PR is acknowledged by the medics as the best way to help with copd (though of course i don't know your diagnosis - there were also others with bronchiectisis and IPF when i did my course.
Im not sure what the BLF are doing about this postcode lottery, but they should be involved in pressing for equal access. It is grossly unfair for people like yourself.
BLF PLEASE CAN YOU LET US KNOW - THANK YOU.
I am not very familiar with all the names and types there are to lung diseases. I was told that I have asthma and some signs of copd and emphysema. And on a report from another doctor they said I have bullous emphysema and reactive airway disease. I have scheduled an appointment for a few weeks away with a new pulmonologist who will be practicing locally. I hope he will be encouraging and assist me. I am really scared because this was such a surprise, no warning. I have to have two corneal transplants as soon as my pulmonary issue is okay and a tendon transfer in my leg. I guess I am just having a pity party. And I shouldn't.
That's a load of stuff to deal with olgamarie - why shouldn't you be distressed. We've all been there.
You might find it helpful to call the BLF helpline - click on red balloon at top right of page for contact details. They are brilliant at talking through stuff, explaining things you want to know, and also Im sure they would help you compile a list of questions to take to your pulmonologist so you can make the best of the appointment. All the best 
Because I lived not to far from the Clinic they advised going to my local hostpital ,where they have the facilaties for theraphy ,otherwize I would have been taken into the clinic for 6 weeks ,they must have a hostpital with help for your theraphy ,have you asked the Doctor about this already ?
I also have regular contact with my Lung Doctor and also still have tests to see how I am doing .Dont give up olgamarie we are all here to help .
Thank you for the replys. I will ring them and make sure they haven't washed there hands of me
Good luck
Kimmy59 and O2 trees have given both exellent reply's but I will be the bad boy and say a lot of people want to feel sorry for themselves and not listen to this ,To help yourself you must .1Quit Smoking,2 start exersizing,3if needs go on a diet .I dont want to sound like a strict teacher but nothing else will help until you get these three things started ,oh and if in doubt keep annoying your Doctor ,dont be brave and think it will go away ,it wont .
I have stopped smoking for 16 months now ,lost 20 kilo,s and exersize 4 times a week ,18 km on the exersize bike and 6 km on the tred mill ,plus weights to help my rib muscles to help me breath ,I couldn't even go up the stairs without having to stop on my toilet to get enough breath to continue to my bedroom in the beginning so never give up there is Always a way .
thomlin, no. You have given wonderful advice. I did quit smoking ten years ago. But I am not excercising and have put on a lot of weight. Wow, so excercising really helped you. That is encouraging. Do you know if steroids can make you gain weight. I have been using steroids for three and a half months. Some were intravenous and some strong meds. I had the pumpkin face and puffy body. How long does it take to get rid of these toxins?
Some of my medicine has steroids also ,my puffy face as you call it went away fairly quick ,when I started on the exersize ,the toxins I know nothing about so cant advise .I will recommend going to your Doctor first to tell him or Her you intend to start exersizing if you havn't exersized for a while and you have put on a lot of weight ,you will need to have a good check up before you start,but do it dont just think about it ,it has given me a new life .GOOD LUCK .
PR is a must for anyone with breathing problems. If you can get in, do so. I've been to PR 3 times and each time the roll-call was different. The exercises and lectures (talks) were the same but well worth the time spent.
My last occasion began with the "shuttle". My score was 36 laps(Each lap was only 10 yards), in 6 mins. My final "shuttle" scored 49 laps. An improvement of 36%. Almost everyone showed an improvement.
The trick then is to find a follow-up. Some NHS Trusts dorun follow-up classes but often charge for hem. If the option is there , take it.
Good Luck,
Cheers.
Hi
Pulmonary rehablitation is a two hour course twice a week for six weeks.
One hour exercise . One hour education.
The education will cover all aspects of your condition , breathing techniques, use of inhalers and more.
The one hour exercise. is exercise tolerance as opposed to physical activity .
Over the period of weeks your exercise tolerance will increase. Which in turn will assist you breathing .
The following link is copy of the exercise that you can do at home, they are similar to the course exercise.
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