Re: Rehab

[Guest guest]

Joy

rehab conditions your body so that your body requires less oxygen.

at least i think that is what it does. It has helped me a great

deal. When I stopped going for a couple of weeks, i could feel the

difference. It will not cure the lungs, but it will help your body.

There are also educational and supportive components of going to

rehab, even if you are the only one with pf. Most of the people

where i go have some form of copd. one common area is the need for

o2.

hope this makes sense.

joyce ipf 3/06

>

> I will be going to Rehab the middle of Dec. What signifcant help

will

> this give me? The PF will still be in my lungs...so, how can rehab

> help? Thanks. JOy 3/6

>

[Guest guest]

Joy,

I will tell you some of the ways that rehab has helped me. First the doctors and respiratory therapists at rehab explained to me that while nothing we do at rehab can change the condition of our lungs we can make our bodies more efficient at utilizing what our lungs can supply us with. Our lungs can only give us a limited supply of oxygen, but by doing both cardio vascular and exercise and strength training we make it easier for our bodies to exist and function on what our lungs can supply.

At the rehab I attended we did a concentrated upper body strength training. The reason for this was explained to us this way. People with pulmonary disease use different muscles to breathe than healthy folks. In addition to our diaphragm and the muscles around our ribs we also use our back muscles, shoulder muscles and even upper arm muscles in our struggle to get enough air. That's part of the reason we get sob when we do things like vacuum or sweep or carry something. We're trying to use those muscles to do two things at once and it makes us sob. By strengthening those muscles, we are less sob when we do those tasks. This has definitely proved true for me.

We also had education on various aspects of living with lung disease, medications, nutrition, adaptive equipment. It was all extremely helpful. The only caution I would throw in would be this. You'll find that the majority of other people in your rehab will suffer from things like COPD, Emphysema, chronic asthma, etc. These are obstructive lung diseases while we have a restrictive lung disease. It pays to speak up once in a while and ask something like, 'I have pulmonary fibrosis, does what you just said apply to me?' It helps to remind them that they need to get you specific information that applies to you.

The other thing, and for me it was huge was the social aspect. I made friends in my rehab, like I've made friends here. I finished rehab early last September and I have stayed in touch with several of my classmates and see them regularly. It's wonderful to be able to have a cup of coffee with someone who knows what it's like to have lung disease. It may sound silly but it really helps my outlook.

Sorry this is so long but I'm a huge advocate of rehab. I know it may not be appropriate for everyone given their physical limitations and all and not all rehab programs are equal. I had access to a good one so I know I'm fortunate. But give it a try, it can't hurt and it will most likely help alot!!

Beth Fibrotic NSIP 06/06

Don't try to explain it, just nod your head.

Breathe in, breathe out. Move on. J. Buffett

Rehab

I will be going to Rehab the middle of Dec. What signifcant help will this give me? The PF will still be in my lungs...so, how can rehab help? Thanks. JOy 3/6

[Guest guest]

Do you think this maybe why some of us have very sore, cramping shoulder muscles? Joy 3/6 Beth wrote: Joy, I will tell you some of the ways that rehab has helped me. First the doctors and respiratory therapists at rehab explained to me that while nothing we do at rehab can change the condition of our lungs we can make our bodies more efficient at utilizing what our lungs can supply us

with. Our lungs can only give us a limited supply of oxygen, but by doing both cardio vascular and exercise and strength training we make it easier for our bodies to exist and function on what our lungs can supply. At the rehab I attended we did a concentrated upper body strength training. The reason for this was explained to us this way. People with pulmonary disease use different muscles to breathe than healthy folks. In addition to our diaphragm and the muscles around our ribs we also use our back muscles, shoulder muscles and even upper arm muscles in our struggle to get enough air. That's part of the reason we get sob when we do things like vacuum or sweep or carry something. We're trying to use those muscles to do two things at once and it makes us sob. By strengthening those muscles, we are less sob when we do those tasks. This has definitely proved true for me. We also had education on various aspects of living with lung disease, medications, nutrition, adaptive equipment. It was all extremely helpful. The only caution I would throw in would be this. You'll find that the majority of other people in your rehab will suffer from things like COPD, Emphysema, chronic asthma, etc. These are obstructive lung diseases while we have a restrictive lung disease. It pays to speak up once in a while and ask something like, 'I have pulmonary fibrosis, does what you just said apply to me?' It helps to remind them that they need to get you specific information that applies to you. The other thing, and for me it was huge was the social aspect. I made friends in my rehab, like I've made friends here. I finished rehab early last September and I have stayed in touch with several of my classmates and see them regularly. It's wonderful to be able to have a

cup of coffee with someone who knows what it's like to have lung disease. It may sound silly but it really helps my outlook. Sorry this is so long but I'm a huge advocate of rehab. I know it may not be appropriate for everyone given their physical limitations and all and not all rehab programs are equal. I had access to a good one so I know I'm fortunate. But give it a try, it can't hurt and it will most likely help alot!! Beth Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Don't try to explain it, just nod your

head. Breathe in, breathe out. Move on. J. Buffett Rehab I will be going to Rehab the middle of Dec. What signifcant help will this give me? The PF will still be in my lungs...so, how can rehab help? Thanks. JOy 3/6 Joy (IPF 3/06) Today is a gift for each of us. Enjoy it.

Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from real people who know.

[Guest guest]

Beth

Your explanation was much better than mine. Thank you.

About 2 weeks ago, i went to visit my daughter and 2 month old

grandson. When we took a walk, my daughter was amazed by how much

faster i was walking that day compared to several months ago. Rehab

has made a difference.

At St 's medical center, langhorne, PA, when the formal sessions

are completed, you can continue to go twice a week for maintenance.

pink joyce ipf 3/06

> >

> > I will be going to Rehab the middle of Dec. What signifcant help

> will

> > this give me? The PF will still be in my lungs...so, how can

rehab

> > help? Thanks. JOy 3/6

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Joy,

That never occurred to me.....hmmmm it does make you wonder, doesn't it? Kind of makes sense, I suppose. The next time I go to the doctor is the 14th, I'll ask , the respiratory therapist what she thinks.

Thanks!!

Beth Fibrotic NSIP 06/06

Don't try to explain it, just nod your head.

Breathe in, breathe out. Move on. J. Buffett

Rehab

I will be going to Rehab the middle of Dec. What signifcant help will this give me? The PF will still be in my lungs...so, how can rehab help? Thanks. JOy 3/6

Joy

(IPF 3/06)

Today is a gift for each

of us. Enjoy it.

Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from real people who know.

[Guest guest]

Yes I did. I emailed him yesterday and this is what I said: "Dear Dr. Absar: I have an appointement with you on Feb. 22. On that day I would like you to be prepared to discuss the following with me: 1. Pulmonary Rehab to gain mobility with less SOB. 2. Being referred to UC or UC SF for any research protocols going on. 3. Being referred to a UC doctor who specializes in the treatment of this disease. 4. Transplant availability, options and locations. I will be asking you about these topics so I am letting you know this in advance so you have time to be prepared to discuss them with me. Sincerely, Carolyn" So he better not have any excuses why he cant talk to me

about these things or he is outta my life. LOL Thanks for asking. Carolyn wrote: Carolyn, Did you e-mail your pulmo about rehab? I know that all of Kaisersclasses/programs are oriented to COPD/Asthma but even at that I thinkwe don't have anything to lose by attending. I didn't see a programlisted for Vacaville so the closest one to you is probably in Vallejo.Remember this is Kaiser as patients our job is to push them to do theirs. Also UCSF is going to be doing a study on Rehab and IPF. If you canmake the trip to SF it might be worth it. If you are interested call or for information. UIP/IPF/LCH 5/06-1/07Yahoo! Groups

Links<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Breathe-Support/<*> Your email settings:Individual Email | Traditional<*> To change settings online go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Breathe-Support/join(Yahoo! ID required)<*> To change settings via email:mailto:Breathe-Support-digest mailto:Breathe-Support-fullfeatured <*>

[Guest guest]

Way to go Carolyn, what a wonderful idea.

Let us know how it worked and if your dr. was prepared.

Dee

Re: Rehab

Yes I did. I emailed him yesterday and this is what I said:

"Dear Dr. Absar:

I have an appointement with you on Feb. 22. On that day I would like you to be prepared to discuss the following with me:

1. Pulmonary Rehab to gain mobility with less SOB.

2. Being referred to UC or UC SF for any research protocols going on.

3. Being referred to a UC doctor who specializes in the treatment of this disease.

4. Transplant availability, options and locations.

I will be asking you about these topics so I am letting you know this in advance so you have time to be prepared to discuss them with me.

Sincerely,

Carolyn"

So he better not have any excuses why he cant talk to about these things or he is outta my life. LOL

Thanks for asking.

Carolyn <hrrd_mn> wrote:

Carolyn, Did you e-mail your pulmo about rehab? I know that all of Kaisersclasses/programs are oriented to COPD/Asthma but even at that I thinkwe don't have anything to lose by attending. I didn't see a programlisted for Vacaville so the closest one to you is probably in Vallejo.Remember this is Kaiser as patients our job is to push them to do theirs. Also UCSF is going to be doing a study on Rehab and IPF. If you canmake the trip to SF it might be worth it. If you are interested call or for information. UIP/IPF/LCH 5/06-1/07

[Guest guest]

Carolyn,

I don't think you need a Dr's referral to the Rehab study @ UCSF. Call

Garvey @ She can give you the skinny on it. Her

e-mail is chrisgarvey@...

Peace to all

UIP/IPF/LCH 5.06/1.07

> Carolyn,

>

> Did you e-mail your pulmo about rehab? I know that all of Kaisers

> classes/programs are oriented to COPD/Asthma but even at that I think

> we don't have anything to lose by attending. I didn't see a program

> listed for Vacaville so the closest one to you is probably in Vallejo.

> Remember this is Kaiser as patients our job is to push them to do

theirs.

>

> Also UCSF is going to be doing a study on Rehab and IPF. If you can

> make the trip to SF it might be worth it. If you are interested call

> or for information.

>

>

>

> UIP/IPF/LCH 5/06-1/07

>

>

>

>

>