What happens in pulmonary rehabilitation ?

[Piper21]

Hello everyone, I recently received a letter to say I was eligible for a pulmonary rehabilitation course if I wanted to attend. Anything that helps I will do so I didn’t need to think about it too long. I contacted them only to be told that all classes are cancelled because of Covid 19 . Obviously I understand the reasons for that . Can someone tell me what you actually do in these classes please ? I was surprised that it’s twice a week and 2hours at a time. She also said when they resume I would need to go for an assessment first. Thanks in advance

[beech]

I’ve just finished a course, and I thought it was very good.

The assessment finds out what your problems are, your level of understanding about your diagnosis, and your fitness level - how far and fast you can walk in 6 minutes. It’s not a competition, just an honest reading of where you are.

The idea being that the exercise component of the course will both improve what you can achieve, and show you what you can do to help yourself, and learn not to be afraid of pushing yourself within your limits rather than being afraid of getting out and about.

There will also be education sessions about different topics - medication, mental well-being, benefits, all aspects of life connected with having a chronic disease.

You will get the chance to ask questions there’s not the time for with the GP or Respiratory Nurse; sort out your medications; get Consultant appointments arranged; get oxygen supplementation right; whatever - there’ll probably be a cross-section of lung diseases and levels of physical ability.

There’s also the mental well-being of being with others who struggle with the same things as yourself, swap stories, a feeling of camaraderie and support which you don’t get with a fairly unusual, limiting and isolating disease.

I wasn’t sure whether I would get much from the course, but I very much have, and have no hesitation in urging you to take up the place when they resume the course.

My breathing is better, I am fitter and feel happier - win / win / win!

[Piper21 in reply to beech]

Thanks beech that’s very informative. I must admit I’m disappointed that the courses have been cancelled but hopefully we will all get through this quite soon and they will soon restart

[beech in reply to Piper21]

Our course has been stopped two weeks early (we were once a week) as obviously they don’t want a group of lung-vulnerable people traipsing around a hospital at a time of extremis when there are known Coronavirus-infected people somewhere in the buildings!

We were issued with The British Lung Foundation Exercise booklet to work from at home (we did the exercises in a gym during the course session for an hour) which you could get hold of, or an online version, to do whilst you are stuck at home.

Just a few minutes a day will start to build up your fitness and stamina, and it is so worth it. So you will be more ready when they do finally resume the courses!

[Piper21 in reply to beech]

Thank you, I will look that up. Will help pass the time as this self isolating is a bit boring

[peege in reply to beech]

The BLF have a PR exercise dvd too. You can access it somewhere on the site or you may still be able to order your own fromortgage the on line shop. Its excellent. P

[Sops]

Hi Piper i loved my course, talk in the morning dietician , health nurse, physio, oxygen nurse, and excercise in the gymn suited to your needs with a one to one trainer,a

This was agropp setting however, and i think gyms are shut so maybe yours will be different. Good luck,

from sops

[deni-123red_]

Definitely not the time to be attending this course. I was due to attend and quite rightly had it cancelled. Very interesting to read beech’s information about it. If I survive CV 🙏, I’ll look forward to the course. Thanks Beech

[Falcon22]

It's a good course Piper for education exercise and stamina. I did one years ago and I was on another 3 weeks ago to build up strength for Op at Royal Brompton. Sadly both pulmonary rehab and Op canceled due to Covid 19. Really recommend the course to all who are offered x

[Piper21 in reply to Falcon22]

Thank you, sadly as you say everything being cancelled due to this virus. I will certainly take up the offer as soon as it’s back up. I hope your op is not cancelled for too long and you aren’t suffering because of its cancellation

[Falcon22 in reply to Piper21]

Thank you Piper ok at present and trying to keep positive... awaiting the letter ...12 weeks I do find rather daunting. Take care Piper stay safe and breathe easy x