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What to expect from Pulmonary Rehab

Posted by ktgirl @ktgirl, Jun 9, 2023

I've just started pulmonary rehab and have had 3 sessions. So far they had a list of questions and had me do a few minutes on two or three different cycle/stepper machines. They check my oxygen levels a few times while I'm there. Isn't there more to it than that? They have me watch some videos of people's stories but not much on breathing techniques.
If anyone has experience with this I'd appreciate hearing what you are doing. I'm dealing with interstitial lung disease from scleroderma and trying to recover from pneumonia. I'm not on oxygen but really weak since I had knee replacement surgery in January. That went really well but a few weeks later I developed pneumonia which has stopped me from doing much of anything.
Thanks
Carol

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totty | @totty | Jun 10, 2023

My spouse just completed his 19th week of pulmonary rehab and your description sounds like what he does. He has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is 84. He attends three times a week and I consider it a lifesaver in his case. We too thought more emphasis would be on breathing techniques.

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1 reply
ktgirl | @ktgirl | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @totty "My spouse just completed his 19th week of pulmonary rehab and your description sounds like what..." + (show)
@totty

My spouse just completed his 19th week of pulmonary rehab and your description sounds like what he does. He has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is 84. He attends three times a week and I consider it a lifesaver in his case. We too thought more emphasis would be on breathing techniques.

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Thanks, that's good to know. We live in a rural area so sometimes you wonder if the people here know what they're doing! I go to Mayo Clinic for a pulmonologist in a few weeks so I'll ask her what she thinks. Thanks again!

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fields123 | @fields123 | Jun 11, 2023

I have started breathing exercise classes twice a week for 8 weeks and think it is well worth to go with dx of pulmonary fibrosis

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1 reply
ktgirl | @ktgirl | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @fields123 "I have started breathing exercise classes twice a week for 8 weeks and think it is..." + (show)
@fields123

I have started breathing exercise classes twice a week for 8 weeks and think it is well worth to go with dx of pulmonary fibrosis

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So are you doing physical exercises along with breathing exercises? So far I'm just doing some exercises on a seated exercise bike. Do you have home exercises as well?

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2 replies
fields123 | @fields123 | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @ktgirl "So are you doing physical exercises along with breathing exercises? So far I'm just doing some..." + (show)
@ktgirl

So are you doing physical exercises along with breathing exercises? So far I'm just doing some exercises on a seated exercise bike. Do you have home exercises as well?

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we do both breathing exercises and treadmill exercises

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ktgirl | @ktgirl | Jun 11, 2023

Ok. I'm not sure why they aren't doing any breathing exercises. Maybe they will add some later. Thanks for the info.

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fields123 | @fields123 | Jun 12, 2023
In reply to @ktgirl "So are you doing physical exercises along with breathing exercises? So far I'm just doing some..." + (show)
@ktgirl

So are you doing physical exercises along with breathing exercises? So far I'm just doing some exercises on a seated exercise bike. Do you have home exercises as well?

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no I do not have an exercise machine at home

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1 reply
ktgirl | @ktgirl | Jun 12, 2023
In reply to @fields123 "no I do not have an exercise machine at home" + (show)
@fields123

no I do not have an exercise machine at home

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Ok I'm thinking of getting some kind of exercise machine. The therapist said that if I don't keep up with the exercises my health would go backwards so I don't want that to happen. I guess we'll see if we can get a good deal on one. I want to work out more at therapy to see what the right machine is for me.

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1 reply
fields123 | @fields123 | Jun 12, 2023
In reply to @ktgirl "Ok I'm thinking of getting some kind of exercise machine. The therapist said that if I..." + (show)
@ktgirl

Ok I'm thinking of getting some kind of exercise machine. The therapist said that if I don't keep up with the exercises my health would go backwards so I don't want that to happen. I guess we'll see if we can get a good deal on one. I want to work out more at therapy to see what the right machine is for me.

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I think you may ask the therapist for advice

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