I went for my pulmonary rehabilitation assessment today at a ramshackle, local community centre. Ten people were there, finishing their PR course. When they had done and gone I was left alone with four good looking nurses. I thought, “Hey up Bobby, your luck’s in”. I tried every line I knew. I even tried some of Azaards chat up lines. Nothing!
Anyway, after taking my sats, 93, they got me walking up and down a ten metre course to the timing of a buzzer. Up and down, up and down. After six laps I was jiggered. They were chatting. After eight laps I am fading fast. They were still chatting. On the tenth lap I folded on to my knees. One said to the others, “I think he’s had enough”.
I was put in a chair and they took my sats again. 87. “Ah” she says, “you need oxygen when you exercise”. The daft bat, I could have told her that before I started. Then it is on to a long tick-box questionnaire. One of the questions is “Do you ever get angry and frustrated?” Me? Nah!
The upshot of it all was when she asked at the end ”Would you like to start the PR course next week?” I looked at the little dark-haired nurse with the brown eyes and the slender figure and said, “Oh yes please, I would love to”.
Bob
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phillips1
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Ah seriously Pete it was very good. It's just my sense of humour coming through. They were actually very organised and I was closely monitored. I even got a cup of tea. I can thoroughly recommend it.
It certainly does you the world of good - I had to miss the first few, but I feel a lot better for it. The talks are predominently copd related, but I'm always open to learning new and usually find I do.
Hey, PR schmee R ! The principle of PR is to get heart thumping, blood pumping and breathing .......... hmmmmmm
I have now got the lazy alternative for home PR - Spider Stomping ! Take one big, fat, hairy, death-dealing, spider ..... spray with something nasty and stomp ! Result, one dead, big, fat, hairy spider on carpet (hoover required) and heart is thumping, blood is pumping and breathing ............... hmmmmm
After stopping smoking Pulmonary Rehabilitation is the next most important action that patients can take for themselves. Identifying oxygen therapy referrals which at around eighty seven sats (taking longer than one and a half minutes for full recovery) is very close to how my own readings showed when hardly able to shuffle the length of the hall.
From a borderline oxygen therapy candidate within the first month I was walking the length of the hall controlling my breathing much more efficiently, with muscle loss the need for greater effort in any activity increases.
Pleased as I was with my own progress, I was stunned when two people on the course were able to build their fitness so that they no longer needed oxygen therapy. The nurse explained this as quite normal after an exacerbation that had put a patient in a hospital bed with reduced activity/fitness, the oxygen could be removed when normal fitness returned (conditioned muscles use oxygen more efficiently) their efforts saved carrying oxygen with them a great incentive for pushing the limit when taking Pulmonary Rehabilitation courses.
I could not agree more. I did a PR about 18 months ago and my exercise tolerance increased dramatics unforntinatly it was for a limited period of time and I am. Afraid have slipped back! For all you doubters do it you will be amazed at your breratbreathing improvement and a pretty nurse is a bonus
started mine 2 weeks ago they are teaching mehow to pace my self ,before i still tried to do things as though i was still twenty years old, i was always wary of joining but now i`m glad i did
i`m hoping it will keep me motivated to do the exercises at home
This conversation has been such a boost for me. My husband has practically stopped doing anything..but he starts his course on 8th May.
It is a whole new way of life as we seemed to have stopped doing ANYTHING! Even when the nurse asked him if he wanted to do a course he said firmly NO,... I said YES...I just hope I was correct. In our 80's we need something to get us going again.
That is how I was. (I am 70) I sat around all day, no breath to go out and couldn't be bothered about anything. I found out about PR on here and I thought, why not? So we can all suffer together can't we. Wishing you all the luck in the world. Best wishes Bob xx
Thank you both so much. It appears there may be a future for us now then? Will report back. Sometimes I feel 90 but now perhaps when the course has started we will be sorted out and things will alter.
Hi All,
That is an amusing description of the pre-PR test! I'm glad you are pleased to be attending it though; it's so, so worth it.
Yes, the point is to get out of puff in a supported environment with specialist nurses, physios and exercise instructors.
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they sound like Matrons in the making 
You couldn’t make it up!
In the midst of chaos, I'm here to wish you all a very happy Christmas!
Big thank you (bottle update)
A Proper Pain in the 
