Hello Everyone. Hope your all managing in this nice weather. Just thought I would give people who are thinking of doing the above course some insight as I started it last Thursday. I was a delivery driver until 3 years ago and used to carrying 2 x 20 klgs buckets. Usually 50 per delivery. But it's surprising how quickly your fitness goes down. I turned up last week with a bounce in my step. And done the 1st 3 exercises fairly easy. But then went onto lifting weight exercises which wasn't that heavy . But we had to do 3x sets of 15. on each exercise in which in total there was about 8 different ones. The upper body exercises I struggled more with. Which I can understand because it's pressure on your lungs more. I came out like a shattered tortoise and my muscles were aching next day in places I didn't know I had them. I guess the fact I am 66 and overweight doesn't help. But just thought I would give you an idea of what is involved. Will let you know if I think it was beneficial if I make it to the end in 7 weeks. Take care Everyone Brian
Pulmonary rehabilitation course - Lung Conditions C...
Pulmonary rehabilitation course
You will get there Brian and hopefully will find the PR course beneficial. Many do. Wishing you well and Happy Easter. Xxx💕🐣
Hello Bingo and welcome, it sounds like you enjoyed it, I used to love going. It will get easier as you go along. Let us know how you are doing, have a very happy Easter have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻
Early days yet Brian, you have time to gradually build up what you can do. I hope you feel the benefit at the end of the course.
Well done. Keep at it, all those here who have done the course have surprised themselves and believe it is a fantastic help to them.Kx
Not quite all Kate, I didn't gain any benefit from the course I did but I know that is unusual from what others have said.
I was the same - no benefits from it at all. Also they weren’t really targeting someone with my lung condition (I have pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension) or my age, I was 45 at the time.
I'm sorry it didn't help you. Had you expected it to?It's nice to know that I'm not the only one though. I remember being very disappointed at the time as I'd pinned my hopes on it and tried hard.
At least you have the benefit of knowing the exercises and can probably carry on doing them at home to keep you active with a couple of bottles of water. Anything helps. Brian
Yes everyone says the same. I was just posting incase some have still to do it. But by all the replies it looks like you all have. Brian
Yes everyone says how beneficial it is. Thank you. Hope you're keeping as well as possible. Brian
Hi Bingo88, thanks for letting us know about your starting with PR. It will be hard but like most others have said, it will get easier.
Sarcopenia, the gradual attrophying of muscles happens with older people but all the more with those of us with lung disease. If you keep working at it, your muscles will get stronger and this will impact favourably of your day to day life. Good luck and let know how you go on 
Hi I have been doing the course at home with link they gave me from the hospital PR , I was astonished how much stronger my arms are, I was going to pick up a step I use in shower, and I have to ask carer to move it for me, then one day whilst at home alone I picked it it was so light I was shocked, it just go to show how quickly muscles deteriate and then get stronger again, this was a big difference that show after only ten days, keep on keeping on its very worth while a physio from the PR team told me, you only need to be in bed for two days and our muscles start to weaken, good luck. Joan
Yes your so right T_Lady. I think if we all think back to what we did 5 years ago but can't do it now. I shall do the course and hopefully keep up with the exercises. Brian
Dont kill yrself.maybe start with 5 with weights,10 without.build up slowly xx
I think it will be very beneficial Brian. 🙂 Keep going , by the time you get used to it all it will get easier. Do keep us updated. Happy Easter to you. xx 🐰🐣
Well done Brian, using muscles that havent been used for a while takes some getting used to, but you will get there in the end, just keep trying x
Believe me I know what you mean about the first couple of times it's very hard work, but it gets easier and the benefits are well worth it in the end, I have continued the process after the course ended and am much better for it 6yrs on
That's Amazing encouragement and well done to you for keeping going and helping to make your life easier to enjoy hopefully. Hope you're having a nice weekend. Brian
Good luck
Keep going, Brian. I found PR immensely helpful. It triggered off my journey to a newer, fitter me, including weight loss, improved breathing, more confidence.
Hi Brian thank you for post . As the replies show does not work for all , however it puts you in the system and breaks the bordem of stuck at home. Any exercise causes muscle aches if you have been inactive for a long time, it will improve and maybe your breathing will be better. I did one several years ago , it was hard for me and flared up my arthritic joints but I did do 14 weeks with no change in my breathing or weight loss. I have just been referred again for reveiw of my lung condition but no contact yet about a date. So good luck with yours I am sure you will get there and maybe continue with the exercise regime when your body becomes used to it.
Yes I will continue love. I am surprised you did 14 weeks. The course is now 7 weeks but twice a week. Perhaps you only went once a week. Hope your keeping as well as possible. Brian
I did go twice a week, I did 12 weeks on the course and paid for two more weeks then I had to have an operation for a hernia so never went back. .
Blimey you did well. I think it's best to keep it up after the course as well
Your post is interesting as not all PR is the same. The basic format is the same, I think, ie exercise then education/support group, but some groups seem to be more formal than others and some physios push hard! Or so it seems from others who have posted and those I have met at the BreatheEasy group.
Any kind of exercise is good for us and I found the graduated exercises really helped. By that I mean recording the weights you start with and increasing the weight when you can; seeing if you can do more steps than before in the time given; speeding up on the treadmill; generally setting little targets so you can see the improvement over time.
Something that has made a big dlifference to me is working my leg muscles. I live in a bungalow and rarely need to walk up any stairs or steps. I used to find them really hard work. The other day I had to go up a fairly steep staircase and did it with ease. It's the PR that's made the difference to that and has shown me that I need to actively seek out stairs and use them. Use it or lose it, as they say.
xx Moy
Yes your so right MoyB. Once you stop doing daily exercises your fitness and muscle conditioning soon goes down. I started going to a gym for the first time in my life at 62. And noticed how unfit I was. Because of getting out of breath. But I think I had copd then without realising it. I shall keep going. Hope your keeping as well as possible. Brian
Hi Brian. Little steps will build up your strength and fitness. My arm muscles feel the same after a day with one of my 1 year old grandchildren 😂 Happy Easter
Yes like everything we have to keep doing it or loose it. Enjoy your weekend. Brian
Hi Brian. I'm sure you will find it beneficial and will make it to week 7 !! I have completed 3 Rehabs over the last 10 tears and have always made me continue with exercise, which needs motivation !! Good luck and keep going it up once you have finished 👍
Do the best you can, exercise is very important. Stay strong and Happy Easter 🐞🐞🐞🐞
Yes your so right and I do still enjoy getting out and enjoying life and having holidays. Brian
Well done I signed up for this three or four years ago and they just asked me to walk from one place to another telling me I don’t need it yet!!! Well I’m trying yoga and Pilates and I realise if we don’t do this we can deteriorate - meaning try to get fitter - easier said than done!! Great work!
Yes it certainly is. Its like anything you stop doing with exercise. Just got to keep going. Brian
Will hopefully get on a course soon , still waiting since Covid came on the scene. Did think I might have been invited for a Zoom class at least . I have phoned a couple of times after receiving a letter to say they were restarting and I would be informed as soon as possible. Might call a third time .Glad you are doing the course as it seems to be helpful to most & hope that’s the case with you x
Yes the reviews are very encouraging so will stick it out and see how much it helps me
I have IPF and did the course twice as some friends are saying it does not work for everyone but you try anything if it may be of benefit. You are not pushed to go beyond what you feel is comfortable I have a concentrator which I use when doing any fairly strenuous activity. I was hoping it would help me
I have IPF and have done the course twice as some of our friends have mentioned it does not work for everyone I found it positive in the fact that I got to meet others in a similar situation and you were not pushed to do any of the exercises beyond what was comfortable for you I use a concentrator when doing anything that is strenuous and unlike some my problem is I need to put weight on having lost a great deal due to my condition and more so the loss of my Dear Wife just over two years ago. Keep up with the course and do hope it will be positive for you I have enrolled in Ortago classes to help my breathing and balance only just started so I hope for the best also meet others in similar situations All the best to us all
Many thanks Brian. Best wishes with it. I know the BLF strongly recommend it, thoughI haven’t been offered it. Maybe at nearly 75 they think I’m past it, or that I’m costing enough already! I certainly am very grateful to have a lot of help by the NHS, as I have several conditions. I do exercises every morning- though not your number, by the sounds of it!! All the best - you deserve to succeed.
Good morning Hobbledehoy. Thanks for your kind words and thoughts. There was a guy there last week with a portable oxygen cylinder and he wasn't young. So as they say if you don't ask you don't get. At least your helping yourself with your exercises. Just try and build it up gradually. They said they need me to get slightly out of breath for it to help. Take care and enjoy your day Brian
You're not past it at 75. I was offered it when I was over 75 and enjoyed it. Pester your respiratory team until you get it.
Cheers ❤️
What a nice reply, Brian. I like to be outside and stretch myself to breathlessness periodically while walking. There is a v useful small but steep railway bridge nearby between myself & Morrisons! I find it in particular a good test of the state of my chest. Although not so warm, it is another lovely day, which I hope is a nice one for you also. Best wishes.
It costs nothing to be pleasant with people as long as they are the same with you. I am hoping this course helps me with hills and stairs because that's all I really struggle with at present. I can go upto the 1st floor via the stairs and then the breathlessness hits me after I have reached the top. Your doing well with your own exercise routine by the sounds of it. Take care
Good luck. I think the muscles will strenghten as the course progresses. When I did a rehab course, I ended up able to work with weights I would never have said I could manage. xxx
Thanks for your comments. Yes I just think it's because I hadn't used them for so long was the problem. I am sure it will get better. Brian
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