Pulmonary Rehab
Good afternoon all. I went to my evaluation for pulmonary rehab. The nurse was nice, but I was a little disappointed after her monitoring my blood oxygen after a 6 minute walk, and being on some of the machines when I asked her after my 12 weeks are up, do I get exercises to do at home. She replied they are working on that? Hmm, I live in Atlanta, you would think there are a little more cutting edge with patient advice. With that being said, I'll go twice a week. Hoping to meet others that can guide me. Hope everyone has a great day.
Hi Susan! I'm glad you got started with rehab! I am curious to see what happens with your request for at-home exercises. In other kinds of physical therapy, the patient is often given simple written instructions or pictures of exercises to perform, or possibly just verbal instructions. Did you have a particular hope or expectation in mind when you imagined something more cutting edge?
I would encourage you to stay hopeful and really "lean in" to the experience. The machines will help condition your body, and feel free to ask questions of the staff and other people you meet. You may find at the end of the program that you can replicate some of your rehab routine at home without assistance. Take it one day at a time -- we're here for you! -Melissa, copd.net team
Hi Leon, I'll be going to my rehab stint tomorrow. Maybe they'll let me do 15 minutes on the machines. They were really being conservative with me, they said because it was my first time. I know they have my best interests in mind, yet I am capable of doing much more than I imagine most of their other patients. While I have been diagnosed with COPD, I have no wheezing, coughing, or other symptoms as of yet. While I know they will come in time, I'd like to make the most of my time as constructive as I can. Does that make sense? Wishing you well. Susan 
Hi again, Susan - I hear you! From your perspective, yes, it makes perfect sense. I think their concern may be to get each patient (regardless of their abilities, like yours!), started slowly. They can then gauge how the patient (you!) are doing and, if doing well (as we expect you will!), ramp up in a way that is more suitable for you as an individual.
I understand that you want to 'get moving' but, perhaps it is more prudent to see how you do the first day or two, and THEN ask to increase a bit more rapidly, if you are able to tolerate it.
How does that sound?
Have a good night!!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Hi Leon, no worries about you missing my post. I can only imagine how much you have on your plate. I attended my first rehab today, needless to say, I'm still a little disappointed. I'm basically going to a gym, but they monitor by blood oxygen. Treadmill, elliptical, arm machine, and they're billing insurance 😄. I was hoping there would have been a larger group, but it is two elderly patients and myself. Both very pleasant, but I suppose I was reaching for the stars, hoping to form a camaraderie to have with other patients, the nurse told me people don't like to get up early, total opposite of me. Anyway, I'll do the classes, maybe I'll join a gym afterwards. It is nice actually having to be accountable for exercise. Thank you for checking in as always, next week is my sleep study for cpap, fingers crossed I'll pass with flying colors! Have a wonderful evening, talk soon.
SusanHi there, Susan - just missed you here - you left this post within the past 5 minutes!
I am glad to hear you made it to the first pulmonary rehabilitation session - this should be the start of only good progress for you!
That could be a good idea, too! See how this gym-that-monitors your oxygen works out, and, if you are happy with the routine and exercises designed to improve your strength, stamina, and breathing, well - a gym may be the next best step. This is especially so since you mentioned you are looking for a little bit of camaraderie. That may be more likely in a true gym environment. Who knows? Perhaps you'll find a 'gym crush'!!!
Like you, I am an early riser too! I hit the boardwalk each day for my 3-mile walk between 6am - 7am, and am up there for just under an hour. Lots of 'hello's' to the others who are exercising at that time but, that's about it. I cherish the solitude and the ocean views. Add my music, and I am all set for the walk every day!
I am hopeful for your planned sleep study next week, too.
Enjoy the remainder of your evening as well, Susan.
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Sounds like a wonderful start to the day! I just bought a new mattress that was delivered this morning, it has the adjustable frame so hoping that will lower my snore score. My dog seems to really enjoy it. Going out for a walk with my pup now, then going to pickle some jalapenos and habenaros, I love spice! As my mom says, have the best day possible! Susan Leon, very cool indeed. I take the app with a grain of salt, but when I've listened to the recordings, mind blown, ha, ha. Nothing I'm proud of, but I did indulge in a bottle of Chardonnay, thats the 1st time I thought it would be a good time to try the app. Wrong! I could not believe I snored, and loud it was, my poor dog. Well making life choices, I was able to bring down my snore score from 33 down to 12, with no epic snoring. While I don't use this as a medical guide, it did open my eyes on how to get better and quite sleep. I found healthy ways to adjust. I'll take it as a win, but the true test will be next Tuesday. Have a wonderful evening. Susan Hi again, Susan - thanks for responding and the additional clarification - it is appreciated. There is nothing like alcohol to put someone into a sound, deep sleep. I would say the bottle of wine was significantly responsible for the higher 'snore score' It appears to me the 'app' may have been 'measuring' the decibel level of your snoring - don't you think?
Talking about it helps to make the time go by for, as you said, the test is coming up this coming Tuesday. In the meantime, I applaud your efforts to get yourself ready for this test, Susan!
Enjoy the afternoon!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Hi Leon, the app does indeed record the decibels. The 33 was wine night, ha, ha, the low score was taking advice from the app. No heavy meals 4 hours before bed, brisk walk, etc. Made a huge difference to say the least. 
