Fatigue & Breathless Course (FAB)

[johnderby]

Hi guys, thought while I had the time on this rather dull bank holiday (not going anywhere) I would let you know about a course run by my Respiratory Team for patients with advanced COPD etc.

The course is called Fatigue & Breathlessness (FAB) and was run by a Respiratory Consultant, Respiratory Nurse and Occupational Therapist. It is usually done face to face but was on Zoom because of COVID. It was an introductory session 2 hours and then 3 x 2 hour sessions over three weeks.

As usual with these sort of things I was a bit sceptical and unsure what to expect. Logging in on the first day I was quite surprised that there were only four patients on the course. The consulatnt led the course but everyone was encouraged to take part and after some initial chit chat the content was really interesting and it focused on ways that we could control our breathlessness and fatigue and tools we could use. Then we all were asked to relate our own experiences and tips and ask anything. That was really good as I felt it was answering lots of things I had encountered with this condition but never learned about.

After three weeks of this I felt that I had got quite a lot out of it but the best bit of all was that at the end of the coure the consultant offered anyone that wanted it a one hour consultation with her to discuss our own problems and said she would then send a detailed letter out to our GP's giving them full details of our conditions, diagnosis and treatment plan.

I am sorry if this has turned into a rather long winded post (I didn't intend it to) But, I often see on here people asking about medicines, inhalers and treatments etc and asking for information. I had the appointment with the consultant and she was happy to discuss my condition in detail and the different (if any) treatments available.

I beleive this course is available all over the country and I woulkd reccomend you to ask your respiratory nurse about it in your area as I am sure you will agree its rare to get access to a consulatnt all to yourself for an entire hour.

[Hidden]

Excellent service from NHS and training offered in your region. Especially commendable at these times and of the Consultant offering her after care time.

Thank you for sharing your experience of FAB.

Have a great day.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, I will ask my respritory nurse if we do it where I live. It's worth finding out and sounds interesting and helpful. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[cofdrop-UK]

Great post. Glad this course helped you and you in turn will help lots of others with this post. Excellent consultant. Cx

[knitter]

A very interesting post, thank you .I did an internet search on the course ….quite a lot of information there.

[ck101]

Sounds like the type of Pulmo we all need but unfortunately never get to see!

[CDPO16]

I think that you have been very fortunate to have access to that service. Sounds great but does not appear to be available in my area.

[Jaybird19]

Thanks for info on this .

[Delamere]

Thankyou so much will look into this straight away not sure if it is available in Scotland

[Izb1]

What a good idea johnderby, I am sure this could benefit alot of people especially those finding it difficult getting out, thanks for sharing x

[helenlw7]

That sounds like an excellent programme.

[ninelives]

That's wonderful you had access to this course and found it so helpful.Thank you for posting ,so nice to hear positive news about our NHS.

Have a good day.

[Croydonia]

Sounds like the course would be beneficial for a good few people on this site. I will enquire about it. Thanks for the info!

[Beachballs]

Great post , will check it out , thanks for sharing. 👍

[Karenanne61]

Sounds like a useful course. Thankyou for the info.

[HollyBoyd]

Thank you for posting and bringing it to our attention. It sounds to be a very worthwhile course and so many would benefit from it, everything we need to know in one package? 👍👍👍