PULMONARY REHAB

[Bingo88]

Good Evening or Morning whenever some of you see this update as I was asked to do. Well I have finished the above course and although I don't think it's improved my breathing in any way. I think I was still getting as out of breath at the end of the course as the beginning. But I have done it now and it's shown me the exercises to do and with various bottles of water I can do the exercises at home. Some exercises I found got me breathless more than others. But still think it was worth doing the course. Hope your all keeping as well as possible and hope we should all have sunshine for the weekend. Take care Everyone Brian

[Caspiana]

Hello Brian. I suppose you have to continue what you have done on the course as it takes time to see any improvement. Alternatively, walking is a great exercise although I know how hard it is on low lung capacity. Did you make any friends ? I'm not a very social person myself but I do know of people who are and they seem to benefit from these group activities.

Well it's almost the weekend. I am off to a farmer's market today and am quite excited , they have such lovely fresh vegetables and home made ice cream. Hugs to you.

Cas xx 🌱

[garshe in reply to Caspiana]

Sounds lovely Cas I love local markets with all the home grown produce. I must find one near me again . Used to go to indoor market in City centre but so many other shops and restaurants closed after covid, I dont go anymore as all my lovely shops have disappeared from the high streets.Never went back to normal unfortunately

. Enjoy your lovely fresh vegetables and ice cream for you and Chom xxMmmm!!

xxSheila 💕🐶🐕🥑🍒🥕🍍🍌🍎🍓

[Caspiana in reply to garshe]

Hello Sheila,

I got some fresh baby ginger to eat raw, cucumber, fresh chili 🌶️ and runner beans for this evening. All freshly picked. 😍 I know what you mean about shops closing. My mum had the same lament about her high street. But luckily some managed to survive. She told me about some new shops too. A Polish tea room has opened just down the street. She said it is beautiful inside and lovely. Love to you from Chom and I. xx ❤️

[garshe in reply to Caspiana]

I love runner beans I fcall them kidney beans. I am having some today with fresh poached salmon ,and Butter on the beans. My dad always grew them in his garden.loved them.might put a few sweet potatoe wedges with it as well. On steroids so starving lol ,bought lovely green cabbage to go with ham and parsley sauce. Cant stop thinking about food now lol 🐶👍 xxSheila 🥒🥦

[Caspiana in reply to garshe]

Sounds absolutely divine! xx 🙋🐕

[garshe in reply to Caspiana]

All cooking at present. Starving lol xxSheila 🐶💕👍

[Patk1 in reply to garshe]

I like cooking too.Yr meals sound gd Sheila x

[garshe in reply to Patk1]

I eat plenty of fish, and vegetables. Lots of greens. Also steak.and lamb chops as we love our dinners. .a good diet helps with your health I believe. I also take Supplements, Turmeric,Chlorella, Spirulina and Baoab..all free from pesticides. .I know it's not everyone's taste but I love sprouts so does my 14yr old Granddaughter, which is unusualX. XxSheila 🥒🥦🥰💕

[Bingo88 in reply to Caspiana]

Hello Cas. Yes as I said it's educational to know what exercises to carry on doing and some of them were sociable while there. But we all went our separate ways yesterday after finishing the course. Hope you had a lovely time at the market and got lovely things. Take care and hope your keeping well Xxx

[Caspiana in reply to Bingo88]

Apart from feeling extremely fatigued I am okay thank you Brian. You take care too. xx 🙂👋

[Bingo88 in reply to Caspiana]

Take care You are doing really well

[Caspiana in reply to Bingo88]

Thank you for the encouragement B. xx 🙋

[Bingo88 in reply to Caspiana]

You give enough Encouragement and support out so you deserve the same Xxx

[sassy59]

Thank you for the update Brian and I hope you get some benefit from the exercises. Just go at your own pace and keep hydrated. Fingers crossed for good weather over the weekend. You take care. Xxx😍🌞👍

[Bingo88 in reply to sassy59]

Good morning to you both. Yes I shall carry on with the exercises at home using various sizes of bottled water and I have brought a rowing machine to see if I can loose some weight which will help me. Hope You are both keeping well and have a wonderful weekend. Brian

[sassy59 in reply to Bingo88]

Good news Brian and all fine here thank you. Xx🤗

[MoyB]

Well done for staying the course even though you were breathless!

We were told that any exercise we do that builds and strengthens the muscles helps to get more oxygen around the body which is better for all your vital organs. It may not necessarily stop the breathlessness but it keeps your body in better shape generally. I think I've got that right, anyway.

I feel I need to get exercising myself now as I'm a lot more breathless at the moment. Isn't it hard to do it, though, when you feel out of puff?!!

Keep going with it and I'm sure you will benefit.

Thanks for the update.

xx Moy

[Bingo88 in reply to MoyB]

Yes your so right. But people who don't have the disease don't realise how difficult it is to do the smallest thing sometimes. As I said I didn't see any improvement but keeping going and active will help me. Hope your keeping as well as possible and thanks for your response Brian

[jackdup]

Congratulations on finishing the program. I hope over time, and with continued exercise, you will see some benefit from the course. Did they not have you do a six minute walk test before and after the course to see if there was any difference? I have not been through a PR course but it is my understanding the generally do. 6MWT before and after. What stage of COPD are you? Thanks for letting us know how it went.

[Bingo88 in reply to jackdup]

Good morning jackdup. Yes I have to go back for my walking test on Monday. But I had no problem with the walking test at the beginning. Its the combination of all the exercises that start to tell on you the more you have done. I was diagnosed severe copd 3 years ago and I don't think I have got much worse. I can still walk around town or supermarkets without having to stop. Hope your keeping as well as possible and enjoy the weekend Brian

[jackdup in reply to Bingo88]

I have been reasonably stable the last few years as well. If you are still able to walk around without stopping that is great. Do you mind if I ask how many metres you were able to do on the 6MWT before your PR course.

[Bingo88 in reply to jackdup]

I don't mind you asking at all. I was just told to walk the length of the and back again a few times And was then told to wait for the blip when I did 1 length to start the return and was told the blips came faster but wasn't told anything at the end I was just told I did well. Enjoy your weekend. Brian

[jackdup in reply to Bingo88]

Thanks Brian. Apparently there are two different tests. The one I am familiar with is the one where you walk back and forth for 6 minutes at the pace you are comfortable with and then at the end of the six minutes they tell you the distance you walked. The other one is the one you had where I believe they have you walk at a faster pace each time but am not sure the details of how that one works. Glad you did well.

[Bingo88 in reply to jackdup]

Yes thanks very much. They obviously differ in different area's and places they have them. I had to go to a community hall. Where some had there's in a gym which might have been better. But I think I would get out of puff too soon to make the gym a cost effective option. Hope your keeping as well as possible and enjoy your day. Brian

[Bevvy]

The rehab course should teach you that some breathlessness when doing exercise is perfectly normal. Everyone get breathless when exercising.What you should learn is what is acceptable breathlessness and when you should stop for a rest.

[Bingo88 in reply to Bevvy]

Good morning Bevvy. All we were told is you have to be breathless for it to benefit you. As I said previously in response to someone the 1st exercises are not too bad it's the combination of the others sometimes. Some exercises were easy and others were difficult. My main problem is hills and stairs. Hope your keeping as well as possible. Brian

[Bevvy in reply to Bingo88]

Oh! On course I did we were given charts to demonstrate amount of breathlessness which was ok and when to stop.Have to say was about the only thing I found beneficial with this course. Was very disappointed in way run. I attended a previous course some years ago in a different locality and that was much better.

[Bingo88 in reply to Bevvy]

The course was well organised and they were mainly a friendly group. I wonder if you have to be at a certain relatively breathless stage all the while for it to benefit you. They may have gone on my diagnosis of severe copd. Enjoy your weekend Brian

[Izb1]

Well done Brian for finishing the course. I am sure that some of the exercises will be useful to you even though you may not realise it at the moment, any form of exercise is good for you so keep at it x

[Bingo88 in reply to Izb1]

Yes I will concentrate on the ones that got me out of breath quickly and if I get better at them it will improve my overall breathing. Hope your keeping as well as possible Brian

[Jaybird19]

I did thiz cours e just before covid hit. I then missed the extension offered at the local gym as it closed down .I didnt see any improveme nt in breathing at all but my mobility was vastly improve d . I have spinal stenosis which means spine is collapsing and could walk on the machine without fear of falling or folding up. My head gets lower and lower as my back protests and fold up Now much worse but am waiting for this rehab since marc h 29 when resp con suggested it.!

[Bingo88 in reply to Jaybird19]

Sorry to hear about your Spinal Stenosis. But pleased you got benefits in some way. I know that there is a waiting list in my area for the course hope you hear something soon or give them a call to check they haven't forgotten you. Take care Brian

[Alberta56 in reply to Jaybird19]

I hope you get it soon.

[BreatheasyBe]

Well done on completing the course. Despite no improvement in the breathing one positive is you’re able to do the exercise and if you continue you’ll slow down any decline on the rest of your muscles wasting. It’s so much easier to stick to it now than it is to hang up the boots to try to start all over again at a later stage. Try keep up the motivation as that’s something I need to fight with all the time.

[Bingo88 in reply to BreatheasyBe]

Good morning BreatheasyBe. Yes I shall do I think that's the problem on your own is keeping up the motivation it's easier in a group But I have got myself a 2nd hand rowing machine which basically works all your muscles and hoping to loose some excess weight which will help you as well. I think we just have to get into a routine of exercising and carry on with it. Hope your keeping as well as possible and enjoy the weekend too. Brian

[Karenanne61]

If at all possible try to carry on. If your course was at the gym you should be able to get a gp referral to the gym meaning you won't have to pay. Probably can get one even if course not at local gym. I went on the same same days as the pr so cld continue to see the physios. I didn't really like the gym, though the staff were amazing, so swapped to classes. (Yoga, pilates and seated zumba) I'm not sure my breathing is 'better' but I feel good mentally and I'm definitely more flexible! And very rarely do my arthritic knees hurt now. Good luck!

[Bingo88 in reply to Karenanne61]

Good morning Karenanne 61. I have brought myself a rowing machine to use at home as I didn't know I could get free use of a gym so I will keep exercising anyway and so pleased to hear your doing well and getting no worse with your breathing. I think we are grateful for that. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Brian

[Karenanne61 in reply to Bingo88]

Hi. Good luck with your rowing machine! 🙂

[Bingo88 in reply to Karenanne61]

Thank you any exercise is good for us

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hello Brian thank you for the update I'm glad you finished and enjoyed the course. Keep exercising and you .at gradually improve. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

[Bingo88 in reply to Damon1864]

Thanks so much Damon1864. Yes I have to keep exercises going so I can continue to enjoy life and have my holidays in retirement. Hope your keeping as well as possible and enjoy the weekend. Brian

[Edam]

Well done . I only lasted 10 mins in the first day and had to stop any further sessions.

In hindsight I should have only done the exercises which I would be OK with and refused to do others but.....

[Bingo88 in reply to Edam]

Oh what a shame Edam. You should have spoken to the leader because there was people on the course with me who couldn't do certain exercises and were given simplified versions to do or told to just try something else. If you look on YouTube and put Pulmonary rehabilitation exercises in the search box it will give you demonstration videos of the exercises you can do at home with a couple of bottles of water as weights. They are mainly upper body arm exercises to strengthen the chest muscles area. Hope your keeping as well as possible and enjoy your weekend. Brian

[Edam in reply to Bingo88]

I was offered PR years ago but with my leg problems it was decided it would not be suitable. I was offered it again and I tried it but all it did was to prove that with my PTS I could not do it

[Bingo88 in reply to Edam]

I am sorry to hear this Edam. Sadly everything gets harder as we age and our health goes downhill. Hope you enjoy your day. Brian

[Edam in reply to Bingo88]

There does seem that there are exercise programs suitable for people with Post -thrombotic Syndrome (PTS) and I have a telephone appointment with a vascular consultant so will ask then

[Bingo88 in reply to Edam]

Yes or try putting the question in YouTube exercises for PTS. You might find something. Good luck and keep in touch if you want to. Brian

[Bingo88 in reply to Edam]

Just had a look on YouTube and there's a lot of information and exercises for PTS. Good luck hope it helps you. Brian

[Alberta56]

I thought one of the best things about pulmonary rehab was the positive attitude of the nurses. It was all Cando, even for those who were much iller than me. i hope you find the exercises begin to bring benefits, though a lot of the benefit must be hidden, ie. you can never know what illnesses you might have got if you hadn't been fitter. (Does that make sense?🙃)

[Bingo88 in reply to Alberta56]

Good morning Alberta56. Yes it makes perfect sense because like everything if we don't use it we loose it so to speak and in a lot of ways our bodies are like car engines. And everything has to keep moving as in the walking and exercises and keeping active as possible. Hope your keeping as well as possible and enjoy your weekend too. Brian

[Alberta56]

Thank you Brian. i wish I were a Jaguar engine, but I fear I'm more a clapped out banger.😂😂

[Bingo88 in reply to Alberta56]

😂😂😂😂😂 I think we all are to be honest. Once we have worked for 50 years we are about worn out anyway. Brian

[Alberta56]

I was cut up yesterday by a man in a vintage car, a real Genevieve job. Its engine is obviously in better shape than mine.😂😂😂😂

[Bingo88 in reply to Alberta56]

Oh dear 🤣🤣🤣 Yes it's getting very expensive now. I see in the news we are selling millions of gallons of oil to America who pay nothing compared to us for our fuel so we are really being ripped off in this country. Hope your day goes well. Brian