Exercise is Important.

[jojam]

I am a firm advocate of Pulmonary Rehab, for those who have not yet done the course, the following link may be useful. Exercise is so important to maintain your condition & improve your quality of life.

webmd.com/lung/copd/ss/slid...

Best wishes

Jo

[kimmy59]

Hello Jo

I've just finished mine, I've gained weight my pulse rate is down Oxygen levels up and I walked further in the post assessment. I've bought the equipment to exercise at home and just finished my first week, fingers crossed I stay well enough to continue.

Oh and I cant remember the last time I used my blue inhaler.

Kim

[jojam in reply to kimmy59]

Great news Kim, it really does improve things I'm sure that you will continue to feel the benifits. Don't worry if you miss the odd day if you are not felling up to it. Try to do your exercise at least four times a week, more if you can. Keep up the good work

Jo

[Hidden]

Hi Jo - I was going to say that's a great link for the 'newbies' , but have to 'fess up' and admit I have wandered far off the straight and narrow myself since December and how weak and listless I feel lately because of it! I have also been depressed for some time - a new experience for me - and need to perk up and 'get my mojo back'. I will be fine once I start up and it will soon do me a world of good - yet each day I put it off again. Today I will do a bit, even if it's just five minutes - thank you for a timely reminder x

[jojam in reply to Hidden]

Hi Parvati, Sorry to hear you have slipped back, it's not easy to get started again I know- been there done that. Once you do get going you will feel the benifits. Five minutes today Ten tommorow by this time next week you could be up to thirty minutes

& have your mojo back

Best wishes

Jo

[Athar]

There is a lot of information on exercise and pulmonary rehab on the BLF website here

blf.org.uk/Page/Exercise

and here

blf.org.uk/Page/Pulmonary-r...

we also have a couple of free publications you may be interested in

blf.org.uk/Publication/Deta...

blf.org.uk/Publication/Deta...

and there is a nice webinar we did on exercise

youtube.com/watch?v=XvTZS5X...(Not working as expected?)

hope this helps you all

[jandan]

I wish I could go again there is nothing like a bit of healthy competition to push you along. The problem with living on your own is not having any encouragement on hand when all you want to do is - nothing!

[Gordon57 in reply to jandan]

Maybe you could use one of these, to stand in a corner and 'encourage' you :- telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews...

[elian in reply to Gordon57]

pmsl @ the thought of one of THOSE in my living room !!

[elian in reply to jandan]

jandan, I went on my first course of pulmonary rehab a couple of years ago and it was great. Now, I've just had a call from the respiratory team inviting me on to another course starting within the next couple of weeks.

Maybe you should enquire as to whether you can take another course too ?

[jojam in reply to jandan]

Ask for a re-referral, many of us have done PR several times.

Jo

[PollyP in reply to jandan]

Jandan, oh do ask if you can be referred again! I know at least two people wo have done the course twice, because as you say it is hard to stay motivated at home alone.

This is why the respiratory exercise instructors in local communities are so important to us. Good luck

[Gordon57]

This reminded me. I went for an assessment for PR before Christmas and was told I'd be on the next course, starting at the end of January. As I've not heard anything I've phoned to ask.

Seems that they telephone round when the next course is about to start and that way they can be sure the patient knows when and can confirm on the phone, once places are filled they stop ringing. Call from hospital phones are automatically 'number withheld', something to do with patient confidentiality so nosey family members don't use 1471 to find out who called.

We have a policy of not answering calls with number withheld, unless we are expecting a call. Yesterday I was waiting for a callback from the BLF helpline and that came in as 'withheld' but I answered as I was expecting it. It seems that the person who makes the calls from the hospital will have tried my number but marked me down as 'not answered', so I didn't get on the last course.

Hopefully I'll be on the next one.

[libbygood]

I'm afraid I'm a bit like Pavati, had a bout of depression (also cracked my ribs and sprained my collar bone) motivation and confidence just went. No exercising, too painful and it's amazing how quickly one can go downhill. Lost weight and alot of muscel. Think I am beginning to get more energy just lately.

We have a policy of not answering withheld numbers too Gordon, also not available ones. I think if they can't leave their number then they're not worth talking to. Trouble is my surgery withhold so do our local hospital - really wish they wouldn't, can't see the point.

Lib x

[Lynne1955]

It certainly is Jojam. I have never done PR but as I go to the gym my GP doesn't think I need it. (It would be hard anyway as I work for myself and would miss several).

I feel so much better for doing it and I think my breathing is better for it on the whole.

Lynne xx

[sitstand]

A timely reminder that we all should be using the benefits of p/r the best treatment for copd in case we ever get a Spring or Summer that can use the mobility that has taken all the effort we can manage.

All too easy falling off the wagon another story getting back on don't I know it with a break over Christmas starting back was a hard business it was a revelation how fast the conditioning goes when it is not constantly worked on.

Meeting others that understand how lung conditions affect life is another plus for p/r it takes away the isolation that so many of us feel.

[Polly63]

Fantastic course, as well as the exercise, useful info, you get to meet fellow sufferers. Well worth going

[Hidden]

Good point jojam that is a One Hundred and Eighty top scorer