Pulmonary Rehab

[welshtony]

Good morning everybody good news at last, after waiting over 12 months I finally got the letter to tell me I can go to the pulmonary Rehab which starts in March, although I will have to do a 60 mile round trip per day I will be attending but I have to attend an assessment, any hints or tips or do's and don'ts about this assessment, any help will be greatly appreciated

[Hidden]

That's good news welshtony. Pulmonary Rehab gives you an armoury to help you in daily life. In my case I had to do a walking test so they can set a base line for your progress. You will do another at the end of the course. They will just ask general questions about your lifestyle, medications and what you want to get out of the rehab. Just tell them how you feel and what your worries are. It really is a valuable tool to help you. Good luck and keep fighting.

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

Do you mind I ask how far you walked before rehab in the six minute walk test and how far you walked after?

[Hidden in reply to jackdup]

I can't remember exact figures but, it was 50 metres more at the end. Doesn't sound a lot but believe me it was. I was puffing like an old steam engine going uphill.

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

I think going 50 metres is pretty impressive.

So did the rehab help with breathing going up hills at all?

[Hidden in reply to jackdup]

Unfortunately not. I'm at stage 3 so it can be tough going up a slight slope sometimes. I just have to pace myself and not overreach my limits. Keep fighting is all you can do. Own your illness, don't let it own you.

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[RoadRunner44]

Hello Welshtony, I am starting a rehab course this coming Monday. I will be attending a Leisure Centre in Port Talbot for a 6 weeks course. I mention this as you say you have to do a 60 mile trip to the one you will attend. This seems excessive. Your name implies you are Welsh. Do you live in Wales? I live within 45 minutes of Port Talbot so not as far as you have to travel. If you live in North Wales then I understand you may not have any option. However, if you live within the distance of the Port Talbot one it possibly may suit you better. Just a thought , If you need any further information just let me know. It Chrys

[welshtony in reply to RoadRunner44]

I live in machynlleth, mid Wales and my Rehab is 30 miles away at Newtown in powys and that's the nearest, but I will attend

[Hidden in reply to welshtony]

Great place Machynlleth, love the street market and visiting one of the best 2ndhand book store to be found anywhere. Best PR advice is keep absolutely relaxed and do exactly as told. 😉

[garshe in reply to RoadRunner44]

I live in Neath xxSheila

[RoadRunner44 in reply to garshe]

Hi Sheila, Nice to meet you. I am going for rehab tomorrow in Neath. Is the hospital near the Leisure Centre? I have been to the hospital many times but unsure where the Leisure centre is. Chrys

[garshe in reply to RoadRunner44]

Which Leisure Centre Chrys. The Hospital is near Aberavon . I was at Neath Port Talbot hospital on Friday. Thete is a leisure centre in Aberavon. The hospital is just off the dual carriageway between Aberavon and Port Talbot. xSheila

[garshe in reply to garshe]

That is Aberavon Leisure Centre just checked. If you go as if you are going to the Hospital you turn right at instead if left for hospital on that roundabout. Go all the way to the sea front and leisure centre will be signposted . Also you are going through a highly populated housing estate so plenty of people to ask. Good luck on your PR course .Sheila x

[RoadRunner44 in reply to garshe]

Hi Sheila, The name is The Aberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre, Princess Margaret Way, Abberavon. Is this the one you gave me directions to?

[garshe in reply to RoadRunner44]

Yes it's on the sea front. Xx Sheila.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to garshe]

Thanks Sheila, I'm more confident now, with your directions. Chrys

[garshe in reply to RoadRunner44]

Hope your PR goes well .xxSheila

[RoadRunner44 in reply to garshe]

Thanks for that. They said the first appointment will be an assessment.

[garshe in reply to RoadRunner44]

Yes that's right

The 6min walk and a chat about medication. I told them my goal was to walk a lot further without stopping st the end of the course. Unfortunately didn't have a very good team

One on her phone all time another head on table sleeping ,and the warm up was so fast it finished us off before we started. Everyone dropping out only 3 of us left after 4th werk I kept going until 3 weeks before end and gave up as really didn't see the point. I have been on these courses before and done really well. Think it all depends on who the team is you are allocated. Good luck. xx Sheila

[RoadRunner44 in reply to garshe]

Hi SHeila, Well, I found the Leisure Centre. What a lovely spot its in, right on the sea front. It was a beautiful, sunny day, though cold and I had little difficulty finding it. Anyway, the Multi Disciplinary Team were excellent. Its a new course specifically for bronchiectasis patients. Apparently there has been a lot of concern as there are few courses like this but many more for COPD patients. They said although both conditions are similar they are still different in many ways. Hence the new course.

All went well with various tests, written questions, weight and height measurements and walking test. The only problem was when I started to drive home there were roadworks and consequently, a diversion. That threw me a bit. Fortunately the weather was good and eventually I found my way home. Glad to sit down with a milky cup of coffee and put my feet up. Take care, Chrys

[garshe in reply to RoadRunner44]

So pleased you found it .I realised afterwards the way I go to the sea front is the other end to where the Leisure Centre us sorry. Yes Aberavon can be lovely in the sunshine but unfortunately mostly windy and wet. Hope your course goes well. What us the difference between COPD and Broncientatis.?? Have I spelled it right. Sheila

Do you live in Bridgend x

[RoadRunner44 in reply to garshe]

Hi, Rather than me explain the difference between the two conditions go online and tap in ......what's the difference between.......... . You will find a much better explanation there.

I live near Southerndown in The Vale of Glam.

Keep well. Chrys

[wheezyof in reply to garshe]

My daughter lives in Neath. I was there for Christmas. I live in Hampshire. Lovely parks in Neath, Victoria Gardens and The Gnoll. I used to walk all round the Gnoll, going in at the memorial gate. Now I cheat and get a taxi to the entrance by Fairyland, and walk a bit, rest a bit and gradually work my way to the Memorial gate , then taxi back to the house.

[garshe in reply to wheezyof]

I live just a couple of mins from Victoria Gardens. Up Gnoll Park Road past Fairyland and into Tonna . Nice meeting you , you could have called for a cuppa lol.xc

[garshe in reply to garshe]

The Gnoll Park is just behind where I live in Tonna. xSheila.

[Roysieboy]

Hello welshtony. I go to pulmonary rehab and I find it is very good. I always feel better when I have been and they encourage you to do the exercises at home. As has been said you are assessed at the beginning, by doing a walking test and the same after 6 weeks, to see what progress you have made. You learn a lot of things about our condition. Things that ca make life a bit easier for you. You meet a lot of people who are in the same boat as yourself and the people who take the sessions are very helpful and easy to talk to. I am in Kent and where I go, after the 6 week course they run a maintenance pulmonary rehab course which is similar to the 6 week course, mainly exercise, but you have to pay for it, because I find it helps is why I have been going now for 3 years. It is only once a week for 1 hour. As you have got a such a long way to go each time, I suppose you will have to see how you see the situation after 6 weeks. I really hope you find it of great help and perhaps you will let us know what you think of it all. I would like to wish you good luck with it all. Best wishes from this end. 👍🤓

[katieoxo60]

Good Luck ,. shame about the travelling but think most of us have a travel problem even in large cities. Do you have transport? They used to supply ambulances in the past but think thats only for really frail or end stage nowadays. Its so frustrating when you are willing to do the best for yourself and it takes so long to get appointments & travel to the venue. I did a 12 week rehab it helped my lungs but not my arthritis theres no magical cure for all that ails. The travel will be worth it I am sure. Best Wishes.

[Rostom]

I have heard great things about these courses.

A year or two ago I asked my GP about attending one and was told I was too well. However at my last asthma review it was suggested that I do now attend and I am beginning a course in just over a week.

There was an assessment and I assumed I would be to told that I was not ill enough to take a place on the course but was given a place (I was not quite sure how that made me feel!!).

After recent weeks of chest infections and great problems with breathing I can't wait to learn how to perhaps help myself more (and I am an 'old hand' at this problematic breathing' lark). I am sure there must still be much more to glean. Hope so, anyway!

[Karenanne61]

I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to rehab! I couldn't believe I was expected to go to the GYM after being in an induced coma on a ventilator etc! Three years later and I am at the gym, yoga, or pilates nearly every day. I haven't been in hospital for my lungs since then. I have lots of new friends. (Lost a bit of weight, bonus!) Please take everything you can, transport and lungs permitted, and enjoy!

[dart123]

Nothing to worry about , you will asked for medication that you have , how fit you are , they do blood pressure sats and height you will be asked to walk up and down for six mins they monitor your oxygen levels , you will be with a group of about twenty four people , all with breathing problems ,feel free to ask any questions while you are there , and enjoy .!!!

[wheezyof]

Pulmonary Rehab is really good. Just be honest with them, listen and follow what they tell you.

I used to visit mid and North Wales a lot but now I just visit my family in Neath and Llanelli. Great place Wales xx

[Myownidea]

Dr. Noah Greenspan of the Pulmonary Wellness Foundation offers a free 6-week online Pulmonary Wellness Bootcamp. I joined over a year ago when we still had to pay to attend, but it is the best money I ever spent. I was a member of the original class when he and his colleagues first decided to try an online rehab class.

I've learned more about COPD and other lung diseases through his live Wednesday night seminars than I have from my pulmonologist, and through the bootcamp exercises, I have improved my quality of life. He has written a book and offers it, too, for free online.

pulmonarywellness.org/

[lKeith]

welshtony

Hi, the rehab is good fun, you get to meet some worse off than you and some better. The nurse monitoring you will only allow you to do what you are able, they will not strech you to do things you are unable to do.

The assessment is only to access what you can do and whether they can help you improve your fitness.

Each session is different in that the nurses decide whether you do the 6 minute walk or their own test which is somewhat different. Enjoy it, getting into the habit of exercise is good for system but keep it up at home or it goes to waste.

IKeith

[pete45]

Good for you. I just finished my course and still continue with program. A famous newscasters wife here in the states was at a stage 4 and told to more or less go home and get things in order. Instead she started a pulmonary rehab program and now after 18 years she and husband travel to get these programs set up around country. There will be days where you just don't want to go but remember everyone in there is in the same boat you are in. Lots of humor by the way.

[mick5]

Supprised it took so long. I had mine within 6 weeks

[coral12]

hi there i went on 1 last march. its very good. u meet nice people .all in similar boat. the assesment is just a chat an to c wat u can an cant do .how fit u are .or not in my case .dont worry about it .u will enjoy x

[jckjanetrosalin]

My daughter had a massive heart attack 100%blockage on one side of heart in arteries and 95% on the other side 3 stents fitted. She goes to rehab and is 9 weeks in to her free 16 weeks. I am now putting in for an assessment as her guest. So by the time shes finished her free 16 weeks she starts paying and so do I . As I've had lobectomy in 2018 this may be good for me to, although I do my running and walking..

[welshtony in reply to jckjanetrosalin]

Sorry to hear of your daughter having a heart attack and your illness as well, and I hope everything goes well for you both and thank you for your reply.

[purdeyspringer]

Hi there, I have done the rehab, such lovely people, just tell the truth about your health and you can't go wrong. The exercise's were very light to start off, I told them I find it hard walking with shopping, so they got me walking up and down a corridor holding weights, which in time did help me. Tell them what bothers you and keep fighting the fight, good luck.