From the article: Pulmonary Rehabilitation
If you have COPD, you may have participated in pulmonary rehabilitation at some point after your diagnosis. Many people who undergo pulmonary rehab share that once they start the program, it is so beneficial, they don't want to stop. If you have ever gone through pulmonary rehabilitation, please describe how it helped you. Share Your Experience
Would Love To Be Able To Do Rehab
- I'm in the same boat as guest Dale Doyle, with no health insurance. Right now I'm going broke paying for oxygen, pulmonologist visits, prescription medicine (one antibiotic is $258), etc. For me to do pulmonary rehab is $5400 for 9 weeks. Plus you need to get a pulmonary function test, which is over $1,000. I don't know if Medicaid pays for the test or rehab, but I'm almost broke enough to need Medicaid. I'm not asking to be given everything, just a chance to pay a fair price for decent care. I AM happy so many people are receiving so much of an improvement to their lives from the rehab programs they're using. Good luck to everyone!
- —Guest Chrissie S
Would Love To Be Able To Do Rehab
- I'm in the same boat as Dale, with no health insurance. Right now I'm going broke paying for oxygen, pulmonologist visits, prescription medicine (one antibiotic is $258), etc. For me to do pulmonary rehab is $5400 for 9 weeks. Plus you need to get a pulmonary function test, which is over $1,000. I don't know if Medicaid pays for the test or rehab, but I'm almost broke enough to need Medicaid. I'm not asking to be given everything, just a chance to pay a fair price for decent care. I AM happy so many people are receiving so much of an improvement to their lives from the rehab programs they're using. Good luck to everyone!
- —Guest Chrissie S
Made Me a New Person
- Having gone to pulmonary rehab for over 4 years now, I know it saved my life, but I also know it made me a happier, newer person. I LOVE to workout on the treadmill, the Nu-step, the recumbent bike and weights and arm cycle. But the most important part is the friends I have made at rehab. We are family and share in joys and sorrows together (even celebrate birthdays, graduations from nursing school, etc. - fattening). The nurses are adorable. If you quit rehab, you will revert to healthlessness and depression. Don't do it!
- —Guest Dianne
It Saved My Life
- My doctor argued, the owner of the rehab argued. We struck a deal -- I paid $25 each session, the insurance paid $25. I went twice a week for 9 months. Pulmonary rehab saved my life. My FEV1 went from 44 to 115. I do the exercises at home now. I think it added 10 yrs to my life expectancy. My doctors are thrilled!
- —Guest sally
Great Stuff!
- A formal pulmonary rehab program was both a help on improved lung function (my doctor now says my lungs "sound good"), but was a great comfort because the supervision assured I was at a safe level for my heart, etc. However, similar results can probably be achieved at home -- the goal would be: push yourself slightly but do not get into trouble. Particularly helpful, which was a surprise, was the ergometer (think an arm exerciser which works like a stationary bike) -- it really does strengthen the chest itself. The pulmonology rehab technician said that the exercise itself helps trains the body to use more oxygen, and use it more efficiently. And, as others have said, just getting back into exercise is a great help.
- —July5th
Went To No 02 During Day
- For the 2 months I attended, I was making great headway -- even went to no O2 during the day. Couldn't continue and now I'm feeling the difference.
- —anena
No Insurance, No Pulmo Rehab
- Unfortunately, if you have no insurance, no program will take you. I now have Medicare, but even the co-pay is prohibitive! No one seems to have any answers for me. I feel I deserve to have the same opportunities as anyone else to learn how to deal with my COPD & make the most of the time I have left. I can't even get a sleep apnea test done for less than $600. Any ideas anyone?
- —Guest Dale Doyle
Immeasurable Help from Rehab
- In-patient rehab taught me much about COPD and helped me work towards pulmonary health. I finished physio at the same hospital and am now in a 12-week course at another out-patient facility. I have improved immensely in general health as well as pulmonary and I've the confidence to continue my quest for optimal fitness. My future plans are to exercise regularly at a fitness club in a retirement facility near my home. One can go from strength to strength if one persists with a well-delivered rehab program. Tie up those exercise shoes!
- —Guest RAKI
Giving Me Back a Sense of Control
- I think the greatest benefit is giving the patient the feeling of some control over COPD. I took rehab over ten years ago. It started me on a path of regular exercise which I have been faithful to. I have seen very little change in my condition or numbers in those years. When first diagnosed a person feels very down, but the information I learned from the RT helped me control the disease rather than becoming a victim.
- —Guest marbob75
Pulmonary Rehab Saved My Life
- Prior to rehab I was just getting through the day, doing as little as possible. I went through the classes in 2005 and continue to go for maintenance 3 times a week. Not only has the exercise been a blessing but being with other people that have the similar problems has been most helpful. We support each other and have a better understanding when one of us is having an off day. I firmly believe that if I had not had the opportunity to go to rehab and continue the program, I would no longer be alive. Pulmonary rehab is a blessing for those who are willing to participate and learn.
- —Guest Linda
Longer Time on the Treadmill
- I was able to walk longer on the treadmill and am not afraid to challenge myself to do more. Also I [now] use less medication.
- —sally718
Better Than Medicine
- I went through an eight week rehab program that was very well rounded in its content. We learned breathing techniques, diet, medications, what to look for if we suspected infection, the importance of exercise and many other subjects that we perhaps never would have known about otherwise. In addition to this learning experience we also had an hour of physical exercise. After this eight week program we were offered a twice per week maintenance (physical training) program which I have been in for two years now. When I first started this program I could only do about five minutes on the treadmill and am now up to forty five minutes, plus twenty minutes on a New Step. I told my pulmonary doctor that I truly believed this exercise program was doing me more good than any of the medication she had prescribed for me and I still truly believe that. My whole outlook on life has been enhanced and I am doing things I never thought I'd be able to enjoy again.
- —Guest Dave
Pulmonary Rehab
- Pulmonary Rehab was a wonderful experience for me. It taught me about COPD and helped me improve my ability to exercise. My initial 6-min walk was a struggle but after going through the rehab I am now able to walk on a treadmill for 20-30 mins and have learned how to breath correctly so I'm not so short of breath. And yes, like so many others, I too have lost about 20 pounds. Everyone with COPD should take advantage of pulmonary rehab if it's available.
- —Guest Judi Wooster
Improved Endurance
- My initial "walk" checking my endurance lasted only a minute or so. I could barely walk the length of the room. I now walk 30 minutes on the treadmill at a faster pace. I could do more, yet also workout on other devices (bike, step-bike, weights). I also lost over 20 lbs. (yet Thanksgiving got me). PR has made a world of difference in how I feel, and look (per my family). I recommend it for anyone with COPD!
- —FJones3
New Beginning
- Learned how to keep active, improve stamina & coping better. Learned to pace myself and improved walking - now a lot further. Learned to eat properly and different ways to relax. Learned mucus clearing and not to be so scared when we are not well and go to the doctors because you learn about infections etc., so you learn better and know when to see doctor. It's like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
- —Guest snoozie1
Improved My Exercise Ability
- Before I started pulmonary rehab, I could only do the treadmill for a couple of minutes. Now, I am up to 30 minutes per session and my shortness of breath has lessoned. Oh, yes, I also lost 20 pounds!
- —Alan
