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Starting rehab tomorrow, thinking positive.

13 years ago•10 Replies

Hi all, my first post here. May I first say thankyou to all on here for your comments and blogs, they really are very helpful and positive.

I was diagnosed about 6 years ago, I tried several times to stop smoking but finally beat the 'fags' in November 2010 when I had to choose to smoke or breathe! I thought I would come on 'leaps and bounds' but have not improved as much as I hoped and added to this, I have/am continuing to put weight on.

I am not a person who likes taking antibiotics so whenever I got an infection, I have tried to clear it myself, foolishly believing I was building up some stamina.

When I had my assessment for rehab, the nurse said I could be doing more harm than good so when this present infection persisted, I got some steroids and anti's from the doctors. I was offered rehab before and the doctor said it would help but as I work and was trying not to draw too much attention to my condition, I didn't go but I really can't pretend all is well anymore, sometimes i am breathless just waking from work several yards to the car.

I will update after rehab starts and thanks again to all for their advice and experiences.

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northernlass

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10 Replies

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jojam13 years ago

Hi ,

Well done for giving up the 'fags'. You really do need to keep on top of any infection so do take your anti's & steriods when needed. I'm sure you will enjoy the Pulmonary rehab course it will hep you to manage your condition & if you continue with the exercise at home & after the course is finnished you will build up your stamina. I'm a firm advocate of the value of PR.

Best wishes

13 years ago

You sound just like my husband he firmly believed that he could "clear" the infection himself and I am convinced he did much more harm to his lungs. He did pulmonary rehab for three months at the end of last year and it has been so positive for him. I hope it is for you too! Good luck tad x

13 years ago

I wish we had PR here when i asked my consultant he said the local GP's wouldn't fund it Val

maureenv• in reply to13 years ago

I dont think our GPs fund the PR in our area. I did the course and enjoyed doing it but found it more geared to COPD patients than people with my illness. I have Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and I do find exercise helps but wont improve my condition.

Fantasy313 years ago

Hi,

I hope the pr goes well for you,apparently the classes are brilliant.i am waiting to hear about when I start mine,so please keep us updated as to how it goes.

And I did the same with my last chest infection,thinking if I don't get anti biotics from the doc my immune system will build itself up,how wrong was I,even after 3 months I'm still not back to normal.wont be doing that again.

Good luck.x

13 years ago

Hi, great news about the fags. I gave up 6 mths ago when I was told I had Copd. I start Rehab also in June as I'm going away.

I've heard a lot of positive things about rehab so I know it's going to help yourself as well as me. Good luck

Mandy

oakhouse213 years ago

Hi there northernlass,so pleased to hear you gave up the fags. Waiting to go on my rehab course so would be pleased to hear what you think. Everyone says it changes their lives,

Good luck

Linda

northernlass13 years ago

Thanks all, 1st session done and I've already learned to sit back and let arms drop and relax my shoulders so I'm not breathing all from the top part of my lungs, need to breathe more from the diaphragm.

I have gleaned a lot of info from this site so thanks to all again, will keep you all posted, literally!

13 years ago

Congratulations in giving up the smokes northernlass, its the best thing you can do and 2nd best is attending the pulmonary rehabilitation course. So glad you have enjoyed your first session, you will enjoy the course I am sure.

Having a lung condition we need to exercise regularly as best we can, always under the guidance of the doc or the PR fitness instructor, its great you are getting that guidance. With damaged lungs we decondition very easily and things become more difficult for us, so attending the PR course and continuing to exercise thereafter will help tremendously.

Enjoy.

Happy weekend all.

13 years ago

Hi All

Pulmonary rehab and exercise are the best things we can do for ourselves after quitting smokes