Pulmonary rehab

[Jonn54]

Has anyone else suffering with bronchiectasis been on a pulmonary rehabilitation course as I'm due to go on one next month and just wondered what it entails

[Hidden]

A course of exercise that's not beyond the realms of anyone ...you rest when you want to and only go at your pace.Then you have a cup of tea and a very educational chat about meds diet related to lung conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed mine I hope you will to. Xxx

[Hidden]

Lucky you. My physio has tried in vain to get me on a course. He even tried heart rehab but no go there either. There are lots of people on here who have done it so I'm sure that they will be along. Everybody seems to enjoy it.

[Inamoment]

I have bronchiectasis as well as a shed load of other things and I'm halfway through the course. It is pretty hard work but I do feel much perkier.There is quite a variety of exercises, we go round and do the ones we want armed with a clipboard and stopwatch. Quite a lot of variation in ability, I can just manage three minutes on the bike, some do 10 or 12. The staff are very good, keeping a close eye on us. The talks are interesting, I have learned a lot. I shall also be talking to a dietician. I also like meeting others with similar problems, the whole thing is quite sociable. Enjoy it!

[Magpuss]

I think the exercises must vary from place to place, I did rehab in a village community centre where the equipment consisted of weights, step, chair, weighted balls of different sizes and also a wall bar on each wall. It was just a small group, four to begin with then two more joined us, there were twelve different exercises to do but only if we were fit enough. The second hour was spent learning more about our various conditions and about different medications. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would happily have carried on long after my eight weeks were up but as that wasn't possible I asked to be referred to the pulmonary and cardiac class at a (fairly) local gym which has far more equipment - and I'm still going there.

[y_not]

Hi John,

Starts with a "walk test", walking between two cones at increasing speed {I only just managed the times due to arthritis ... but I think they helped by cheating the stopwatch), then, as others say, exercise (at your level) and education.

Wear loose fitting clothes, you might sweat a little, enjoy the tea and biscuits

[MoyB]

I enjoyed pulmonary rehab but before I went I worried about what to expect and what was appropriate to wear. I found a pair of cotton trousers and a tee shirt was right for me. Yes, it can make you sweat, especially if it's summer, but you can stop when you need to. Our exercises were similar to those already described and lasted from a minute on each thing to two and a half minutes on each thing. Not like a gym workout - much more manageable. The education was good. No tea and biscuits for us - just water!

I gained a lot from going, not least the understanding of my condition and meeting others with similar difficulties. I realised that many were less able than me but were still managing the exercises so this spurred me on.

I would recommend it to anyone!

[papilon]

You will love it. Great fun and nice to meet people.

[bayleyray-uk]

I have Bronc, Asthma and COPD with other diseases trying to muscle in as and when they can and have been on a rehabilitation course a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have been trying to get onto another course but spaces are in short supply. I had my name down for a course in August/Sept but unfortunately was to unwell to attend.

They are well run courses and their aim is to help you get more flexible and encourage walking wherever possible. Its so nice to be with a group of people who do not stare at you if you start coughing, wheezing or bringing up stuff that should be living at the bottom of a dark stagnant pool rather your lungs.

I'm booked into another course at the end of September so keeping my fingers crossed that my lungs will behave themselves at the moment I'm wheezing and coughing like mad, so I'm going to have a strong word with them to get their ducks in a row and get me on the course.

Enjoy the course

Sue

[nala00]

I don't know about this rehab stuff but I have level 2 copd and work out in a regular gym for about 2 hours every day.

Maybe you guys should try it,. Doesn't sound too different to me!