Pulmonary Rehabilitation - quality of program

I went through pulmonary rehab last year, at the direction of my pulmonologist. I'm afraid I'm not what anyone would call a success story. Actually, the "workout"to which I was subjected did not differ at all -- as far as I could see -- from the regimen for those who were in there for cardiac rehab. I had expected some exercises on breathing and breathing techniques, etc., but there weren't any. Pulmonary rehab wore me out so completely most days that my wife threatened to pull me out of it, but I endured. One day my blood pressure dropped so low, that the nurse would not let me walk out on my own at the end of the session, and they called a wheelchair to take me down to the hospital entrance. Quite an advertisement for rehab: I walk in on my own, but have to be taken out in a wheelchair! Of course, my experience may have certainly been affected by my disease, cystic fibrosis, but I have to believe that some exercises specifically targeted at lung health and breathing would have been more helpful. A gradual increase in exercise length and intensity would also have been more appropriate.

I went through pulmonary rehab last year, at the direction of my pulmonologist. I'm afraid I'm not what anyone would call a success story. Actually, the "workout"to which I was subjected did not differ at all -- as far as I could see -- from the regimen for those who were in there for cardiac rehab. I had expected some exercises on breathing and breathing techniques, etc., but there weren't any. Pulmonary rehab wore me out so completely most days that my wife threatened to pull me out of it, but I endured. One day my blood pressure dropped so low, that the nurse would not let me walk out on my own at the end of the session, and they called a wheelchair to take me down to the hospital entrance. Quite an advertisement for rehab: I walk in on my own, but have to be taken out in a wheelchair! Of course, my experience may have certainly been affected by my disease, cystic fibrosis, but I have to believe that some exercises specifically targeted at lung health and breathing would have been more helpful. A gradual increase in exercise length and intensity would also have been more appropriate.

I went through pulmonary rehab last year, at the direction of my pulmonologist. I'm afraid I'm not what anyone would call a success story. Actually, the "workout"to which I was subjected did not differ at all -- as far as I could see -- from the regimen for those who were in there for cardiac rehab. I had expected some exercises on breathing and breathing techniques, etc., but there weren't any. Pulmonary rehab wore me out so completely most days that my wife threatened to pull me out of it, but I endured. One day my blood pressure dropped so low, that the nurse would not let me walk out on my own at the end of the session, and they called a wheelchair to take me down to the hospital entrance. Quite an advertisement for rehab: I walk in on my own, but have to be taken out in a wheelchair! Of course, my experience may have certainly been affected by my disease, cystic fibrosis, but I have to believe that some exercises specifically targeted at lung health and breathing would have been more helpful. A gradual increase in exercise length and intensity would also have been more appropriate.

Actually, mine was a "class" in that a group of us were being monitored/guided at one time ...although I was the only one, apparently, who was there for pulmonary rehab while the others were there for cardio rehab. This was actually at Mayo Clinic, and I had the impression that very few people were actually sent there for pulmonary rehab. I had expected my oxygen level, etc., to be monitored more closely but they were more concerned about my blood pressure. As a heart patient with three stents and a pacemaker, I've also gone through cardio rehab in the past and there wasn't much difference in types of exercises. I have to add: the staff were very nice and concerned about me; I just don't think the program was tailored to my needs as it should have been.

Actually, mine was a "class" in that a group of us were being monitored/guided at one time ...although I was the only one, apparently, who was there for pulmonary rehab while the others were there for cardio rehab. This was actually at Mayo Clinic, and I had the impression that very few people were actually sent there for pulmonary rehab. I had expected my oxygen level, etc., to be monitored more closely but they were more concerned about my blood pressure. As a heart patient with three stents and a pacemaker, I've also gone through cardio rehab in the past and there wasn't much difference in types of exercises. I have to add: the staff were very nice and concerned about me; I just don't think the program was tailored to my needs as it should have been.

Actually, mine was a "class" in that a group of us were being monitored/guided at one time ...although I was the only one, apparently, who was there for pulmonary rehab while the others were there for cardio rehab. This was actually at Mayo Clinic, and I had the impression that very few people were actually sent there for pulmonary rehab. I had expected my oxygen level, etc., to be monitored more closely but they were more concerned about my blood pressure. As a heart patient with three stents and a pacemaker, I've also gone through cardio rehab in the past and there wasn't much difference in types of exercises. I have to add: the staff were very nice and concerned about me; I just don't think the program was tailored to my needs as it should have been.

@ckscoville Is that Mayo Florida? I am in Minnesota and Mayo Rochester is 90 miles away so not very convenient to go twice a week for PR. Interestingly enough, my two Mayo Pulmonologists have not recommended PR to me, I had to ask. And if it isn't any better than what we experienced, then I understand why. I liked Cardio Rehab that I did locally 4 years ago, but not same place I went now for PR. I am thinking of going back there now. I thought this other place would have more qualified people, but guess not. There was no respiratory therapist present when I went in, 3-4 other "therapists".

@vic83 Yes, it was at Mayo in Florida, but there were no respiratory therapists or dietitians in the program I went through. I would have welcomed some education in addition to the exercise. Actually, all of my doctors (except for my primary care physician) are at Mayo, and I have been extremely grateful for all of them. The cystic fibrosis team at Mayo in Florida has really helped me tremendously. Lately, I have just started physical therapy for balance issues in a local clinic (not affiliated with Mayo or any other hospital), and that program has been excellent.