What to expect from my first PR session?

[Hayley_]

I have my first PR session tomorrow and I'm a little bit anxious. Can any one tell me what to expect for a first session and will it be one on one or in a group.

[stone-UK]

Hi

Normal a group, with one on one contact during the excise period.

Normal starts with a gently warm up, walking,stretching bending on one leg then other leg.

Followed by a number of exercises short duration.

Mine was 14 exercises 4 X 1 and 5 X 2 thirty seconds each exercise over the one hour, so plenty of time to rest.

Time increased each week to achieve 2 minutes per exercise not compulsory.

( I achieved 2 min on 4 X1 50 secs on 5X2 improved since.)

After exercise there is one hour discussion on all things lung related.

Cup of tea/coffee and biscuits.

Quite enjoyable.

[Hayley_ in reply to stone-UK]

Ok, thank you. I'm not sure I feel better knowing it's a group or not. On one hand there are other people going through the same as you but on the other hand I don't want to feel self conscious.

[stone-UK in reply to Hayley_]

Hi

On mine we where left to do each exercise in our own time and order. So at each exercise there was no more than four, non starting at the same time. During the session the head nurse would come and see how we where doing. No need to feel self conscious.

I was the only one at stage four, never bothered me people just tend to get on with it.

Plenty of time to chat and mix in the second have over a cup of tea.

[Magpuss]

Yes - expect to enjoy it more than you thought you would. My sessions ended a week or two ago, I'm still doing the exercises at home but I'm missing the company - and the banter. However - I asked to be referred for the follow up sessions at a local gym and this morning I had a call telling me that I can start next week👏👏👏, I'm very pleased.

Don't worry - you won't be expected to do more than you're able to do......enjoy!

[southcats]

my first session was only a fortnight ago, so still quite fresh - we've each got a sheet with, i think, roughly 10 different exercise things, some for heart and lungs, some for strength. the heart/lungs bit is cycling/arm cycling/treadmill and i've been building up slowly, ie doing a few more minutes each time, and at higher resistance. and feeling the aches only once we get to the stretching/cool down exercises. i'm totally loving it

[peege]

I expect most of the people there will feel similarly anxious, you won't be alone. In fact you might just love it as most of us did.

Don't worry, the six minute walk isn't a race, merely something to compare with after your course ends. Good luck, enjoy.

[Hidden]

Iv just finished mine Friday last week .Don't be nervous this a group thing where you all will probably feel the same on the first day. You will love it I'm sure and there very beneficial not just the exercises but the education of it as well enjoy and get your lycra shorts ready lol xxx

[Hayley_]

Thank you for all your replies. I already cancelled once due to being worried. Just nervous if I get out of breath and start panicking. But I will bite the bullet and go, as long as they let me go at my own pace it should be ok.

[mrsmummy in reply to Hayley_]

You will worry like mad (we all did) but do go. You will work at your own pace and learn such a lot. You will be sad when it is over and want to do it again.

[laines]

I finished my first one in April. I was a little worried too. I can honestly say it has changed my life. Mine was a group, but we had a good laugh and by the second session I felt at ease. It's exercise and chats about things that might help you. I have finished a more confident knowledgeable person. I was taught pursed lip breathing, and also how to take my inhalers in the correct order and shown how to get the best out of them. I don't seem to get as breathless anymore and if I do I know how to manage it and recover quicker. Go there with a positive attitude and take as much from it as you can.

[Ergendl]

Good luck for today, Hayley_ . Don't worry about getting breathless. When I went to PR I got dizzy when breathless and the kind physios helped me identify that it's through over-breathing when I do more. So we worked on my breathing in a different way so that I could exercise more easily. So just turn up and see what happens. If you give PR your best shot, it will make a real difference to you.

[Pam1952]

Please don't worry. It's something to look forward to rather than to fear, and everyone's in the same boat. Enjoy! XXX

[Catnip]

Greetings!

The purpose of PR is to get you "moderately breathless " in a safe environment. My group(s) -- I keep being sent back after exacerbations -- have been friendly and helpful.

We start either with a walk round the garden or with exercises like marching on the spot, with arm exercises at the same time. Then we move onto the machines - treadmill, cross trainer, bike, rowing machine. There are weights and a step for the "circuit training " part. There is also an education section where we learn more about lung disease, diet, different inhalers and so on

What you will get out of it is tremendous. First, you will learn that getting breathless doesn't mean you're going to die: you will be taught how to deal with it effectively. You will be able to do more because your lungs improve. Hopefully, you will make friends who are in the same boat.

PR works: go and do it, with an open mind!

Catnip

[Hayley_]

Thank you for all you lovely advice and encouragement, it was really helpful. Just got back from going and it wasn't half as bad as I expected. I think I just blew it up in my head to be a big deal. I did enjoy it and learnt some new things. Thank you all again x

[mrsmummy in reply to Hayley_]

I am so pleased you went.

[laines in reply to Hayley_]

Well done on going 👏🏻