Week Three

Today was a really good day at pulmonary rehab maintenance. I was able to walk quite a distance to the rehab room and was only a little short of breath when I got there. This shows me how much the exercise is helping and motivates me to keep trying.

The picture to the left is an upper body ergometer. This strengthens the upper arms and is the piece of equipment that I am still only able to achieve 8 minutes on. Next week I'm pretty sure I will be able to increase to 10 minutes since I am working with 3LB weights at home on the days I'm not at rehab.

I walked for 12 minutes on the treadmill at 1 MPH and by the end of this week I will increase to 15 minutes. When I am comfortable at 15 minutes, I will increase the speed.

I used the Nu-Step for 15 minutes and did 1550 steps at Level 5. I try to stay steady at about 100 steps per minute and by next week I will try to do it for 20 minutes.

When I started today, my BP was 156/91, O2 sats were 93% and pulse was 115. By the time I left, my BP was 143/79, O2 sats 97% and my pulse was 100.

~Eileen

Thursday Rehab

I had to park quite far from the entrance for rehab so I got some walking in first thing today. There's a lot of construction going on. Once in the hospital, I did my usual stop to check out pictures on the wall or whatever was available to look at so I wouldn't be conspicuous while catching my breath. The way that I usually enter has the gift shop with a wonderful array of things to look at.

When I got to the rehab room my BP was 138/76, Pulse 95, O2 sat 95%. I went to the treadmill first and did 11 minutes at 1.0. I remember someone saying that the first 5 minutes is always the worst and everything after that gets better. I have to agree.

After a rest I did the Nu-step. I increased to level 5 and did 15 minutes, managing to do 1540 steps. Thank goodness I wore a short sleeved shirt because I worked up a sweat this time. When I was done, my BP was 132/75, P101, O2 96%.

On to the UBE (ergometer) for 8 minutes at level 2. This remains a torture for me and my arms but I know it will help me to build up those muscles so things like lifting and carrying things such as groceries will be easier.

Today I added the recumbent bike. I have been watching other people do it and frankly thought to myself "this is a piece of cake". HA! I was only able to do 5 minutes on it because my upper legs were crying like babies for relief! That is the LAST time I underestimate a piece of exercise equipment.

At the end of my workout, my BP was 138/76, P95, O2 95%. We had a new lady join us today and by next week we'll have a couple more. It's nice to sit between exercises and chat about things. There's always a pile of internet jokes that someone brings in for us to read and Rose always provides us with never-ending ice water. I don't know what made me think that I wanted to exercise alone...this is infinitely better.

~Eileen

Week Two

Well here we are, a new week and another new start. I was afraid I had lost ground because of missing pulmonary rehab last week but fortunately, that wasn't the case. I was able to keep up with where I left off, and even add a tiny bit. Besides the 3 machines that I use now, on Thursday I plan to add another to strengthen my legs even more. My calves were burning today after walking around a store for 15 - 20 minutes after rehab today, so I want to do more to get them in shape.

I didn't struggle as hard as I did in the past walking to the rehab dept today. On arrival, my numbers were: O2=96%, Pulse=101, BP=147/81. I wasn't as short of breath as previously.

I did the treadmill first; 11 minutes at 1.0 and 0 gradient. While on the TM my sats ran between 92-93% and my pulse ran 115-118. I believe my pulse was higher the last time I did the TM. And this time I added one minute - doesn't seem like much, but felt like a small triumph. When I was done, my O2 was 94%, P106 and BP 136/79.

On to the Nu-step for 15 minutes at work level 4. Last week I was on level 2 or 3, I think. However, today I spent a few minutes really positioning myself and the machine to get maximum workout with a level of comfort. It worked out really well and I did 1500 steps, meaning I did 100 steps a minute. When finished, I was at 94% O2, P110 and BP 116/73.

Next was the UBE. I increased it to Level 4 and again did 8 minutes total. After that my BP was 130/74, P118 and O2 95%.

I felt pretty charged up after the session. There are only 6 of us in this session and there's a good camaraderie among us. I am very fortunate to live in this community where I can do this for only $30/month. I've been reading on EFFORTS that some people are paying between $80 - $100 per SESSION! And sometimes more, which is just outrageous.

Already I'm feeling better and stronger. I feel really committed to doing this on a long term basis and with feeling better so soon after starting, that's just frosting on the cake!

~Eileen

Just a little hiccup

I think I have the curse of the blog...last week I was fine and this week I'm sick. But I'll post anyway.

Last week, as I said, I felt really good. I had seen my pulmonary doc that week and we were happy with the way things were going for me. But on Friday in class, I started with a really bad headache and my blood pressure was very high. After class I went to my PCP for reasurrances that I wasn't going to stroke out. My blood pressure had come down a little and we decided that I'd go back on a diuretic for a while although there was no swelling in my feet or ankles. And I did get my reassurance that I wasn't stroking out.

Then on Monday, I woke up severely short of breath, my feet were like footballs and I felt awful. I talked again with my PCP and I doubled up on the diuretic, and he added prednisone and albuterol by nebulizer. No fever and no discolored mucus, so no antibiotic.

I started feeling better today and tried to do some things around the house. That just left me coughing so hard that I was drenched with sweat from the effort and crying in frustration. I was going to try to go to rehab tomorrorw but now I think I'll just take it easy until next week.

I am breathing better and know by next week I'll be able to continue where I left off at pulmonary rehab. This just firms up my resolve to be a better me! I'll leave another post in a day or so just to update on how I'm feeling.

~Eileen

Day Two At Rehab

Sore as I was, I made it through another day at rehab. My blood pressure went down, and my O2 sats were good, and for that I'm thankful. It was a good session and I hung out longer than I needed to, having good conversation with the other participants and Rose. Between machines we hang out at a round table catching our breath and talk about COPD, oxygen and all sorts of things.

I did learn that Audrey, a 12 year old who has cystic fibrosis, is still on the list for a transplant. I met her last year while attending pulmonary rehab and was blown away by her courage and spirit. Since I've seen her, she has declined somewhat and is now on 8L of oxygen during the day and 10L at night with a Bi-Pap. She's been on the tx list for 4 years because the only state that her insurance will allow is her home state. She has been ok'd for a live donor lobe transplant, with her mom and a teacher as donors, but the doctors won't do it until she absolutely needs it (so as not to put 3 people at risk at the same time). So she goes to school and still attends rehab and still is smiling.

When I first got to rehab today, I had to sit a bit to catch my breath. I had to park farther away and it took a toll. BP: 168/78 Pulse: 120 O2 Sats: 94%

I did the treadmill for 10 minutes at 1.0 and it wasn't as bad as Tuesday. I was able to go longer. When I finished, I was at 96% O2 Sat; 122/73 BP; 112 Pulse.

Next was the Nu-Step. I went for 15 minutes at work level 3. I had to decrease the work level from Tuesday because I had adjusted the seat to better work my legs and it was HARD once I was actually in the right position! When I was done, O2 sats were 96%; pulse 114; BP 141/77. I really felt the workout in my thighs this time. In the 15 minutes I did 1,340 steps. The picture at the top of the page is the Nu-Step machine.

Finally I did the UBE, or ergometer, which works on the arms. I did 8 minutes again, 4 forward, and 4 backward at the same resistance. This was pure torture for my arms!! I can still feel that soreness in my biceps and triceps! My mom used to use "Aspercreme" for arthritic pain - I wonder if they still make it; in the meantime, I'll take some ibuprofen! Please excuse the whine and pass the cheese, please...

When all was said and done, my sats were 95%; pulse 118; BP 141/71. My pulse was running in the high 120's while doing the exercises. I have a normally high resting pulse, in the 80's to 90's, which is because I'm out of shape.

I'm so glad that I've finally gotten back into the rehab and look forward to next week! I really think, no, I know I feel better already! Breathe better, everyone and see you next week!

~Eileen

First Day Back

So yesterday was my first day back to pulmonary rehab maintenance. It was great to see Rose and there was another lady there that I remembered from previous classes. She, too, was returning after a long hiatus. There were several others there, too; some with oxygen, some without.

I started out getting baselines of my O2 sats, pulse and blood pressure. They were: O2 sat: 96%; pulse: 111, BP: 162/93. I had walked in with my O2 at 4L and kept it at that because I was going to go right to the machines. I don't take anything routinely for high blood pressure, but when I have swelling in my feet, I take lasix, which also helps my blood pressure. However, on this day, I had not taken any lasix.

I went first to the treadmill. I managed to do only 6 minutes at 1.0. My calves were doing the burn and I just couldn't go another minute. I went back to the table to rest and my numbers were: 92% O2; 126 pulse; 129/77 BP. I have to say, I was a little disappointed in myself that I couldn't do more.

Next was the Nu-step. This works your arms and legs while you sit (I like this one). I did 15 minutes at work level: 5. I felt alot better about this machine but my arms really got a workout and boy, were my upper arms were burning! When I went to sit down, my sats were 94%; pulse 113; BP 117/77. So this was a much better blood pressure. I was anticipating that at the end of the session, my BP would be even better.

I then went to my nemesis: the UBE(ergometer), where you sit and 'bicycle' your arms back for half the time, and then forward for the other half. OH MY GOODNESS! I just dread this piece of equipment! Even though I have been working out with weights (albeit sporadically) this just KILLED me. I did 5 minutes forward and 5 minutes backward at level 2, which is 30% resistance. Oh the burn.....the burn...I've never been so happy to be done with a piece of equipment! BUT, although I hated the machine, by the end, my O2 sats were 95%; and my BP was 116/75.

Thus went my first day back at rehab. Already I feel better just by going. And I'm looking forward to tomorrow's visit. See you back here tomorrow!

~Eileen

Pulmonary Rehab Maintenance

Hi everyone!

Kasey asked me to post my experience with pulmonary rehab as I've just begun (again) a maintenance program. Kasey's doc still hasn't cleared her to continue, so I'll share my experiences until she's back at it, which we all hope is very soon!

My name is Eileen and I'm a moderator on the Breathing Better Living Well communitity forum. I was diagnosed with COPD in 1999 after a hospitalization for respiratory failure. I have what is considered severe COPD with an FEV1 of 34%(4/06); my FEV1 was 29% in 2005 and I can only conclude that quitting smoking and going to pulmonary rehab are responsible for the improvement from very severe to severe. I am on Advair, Spiriva, Albuterol and Theophylline.

I have had motivation problems when it comes to exercise. It seems that unless I'm accountable to someone, I very easily talk myself out of getting any good exercise. I went to pulmonary rehab in 2001 and again in in late 05/early 06. I've been in and out of pulmonary rehab maintenance ever since then.

So it isn't any great stretch to determine that I am quite deconditioned. In October, I called our local hospital where the rehab is, and asked to get back into the maintenance program. I was disappointed to learn that all the classes were filled and that I would have to go on a very long waiting list. I have been exercising on my own sporadically.

Just after Christmas, Rose, who runs the program called me to say that because there were so many on the wait list, our pulmonologist insisted that she start another class! Wahoo! I started today and go Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I will continue this tomorrow, as I am VERY tired and sore tonight. I'll be able to think clearer and therefore write clearer on a good night's sleep. So sweet dreams,all, and breathe easy!

~Eileen