COPD: has pulmonary rehabilitation helped you?

Denise, you need to get referred to your local pulmonary rehab by your GP. I believe that all NHS trusts provide this service to COPD patients. You will find it is the second best thing you can do for yourself, the first being to quit smoking if you are a smoker. Move often, breathe easy.

I have never heard of this programm. I live in Kent.

I've done the pulmonary rehab course twice with differing results,sadly, going the wrong way. I am now forcing myself to be more active at home, also going out more, so that I'm doing much more natural exercise. I now feel a lot fitter and I'm less dependent on the oxygen therapy I was prescribed. 

Pulmonary rehabilitation is beneficial but it is essential to continue to regularly exercise. 

This rehabilitation course sounds very interesting...is it expensive? Did you use your health insurance? I doubt the NHS covers it? 

My COPD Nurse referred me it was a NHS free 6 week course 2 days per week

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a course of education and gentle exercise which aims to help you learn more about your lung condition, improve your fitness and strength, help you manage your breathlessness and ultimately improve your quality of life. I gained so much from attending I can walk further and faster
feel less breathless feel more positive sleep better and have more energy
have improved overall fitness and have had no chest infections 
The best thing was meeting others with similar conditions many who are now good friends 

Hello members,

Recently we published an interview with a Carenity member on pulmonary rehabilitation as a treatment for COPD and other respiratory diseases. Does anyone have any experiences to share or questions about this treatment?

Here's the link to the article if you'd like to read it: Medication, Treatments, and Exercise: Treatments for Emphysema and COPD

Take care,

Michael

@Michael_B I'm interested in learning more about this and other alternative treatments. Any advice?

@newonecopd Hello,

The first step is to take a look at the article. There's a load of information in there :)

Feel free to post questions here to see if other members have advice to offer.

Take care,

Michael

Hello everyone, 

How are you today? Have you seen this discussion? 

Have you ever done a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme? What did you think of it? Did it help you? What did it entail? Would you recommend it to others living with COPD?
@Melc1970‍ @GaynorT‍ @Jillpizzy‍ @Tattypatty‍ @susiebell.info_stories‍ @Lindarose56‍ @frankulr‍ @yehuda666‍ @Avrilmac‍ @SandraM.Daniel‍ @Cleggie‍ @Momalaa‍ @Trish10‍ @Deeprior‍ @maybins‍ @4children‍ @Butters‍ 

Feel free to share your experiences and advice here!

Take care,
Courtney