Breathinng Exercises
Hi Michal. You mentioned breathing exercises in a few of your e- mails. Can you post details of these as I was not given any and I would have to say the most difficult post op problem I have had is the breathing difficulty. It is difficult during the day but more so when resting, it is hard to fall asleep and I don't sleep more than a couple of hours at a time.
I'm interested in how much - or how little - support people are getting after their op. It does seem from watching the posts that some of us aren't getting much help in the difficult period after surgery when we know how much we need it. Could anyone who has the time post: 1) What exercise routines they were given when they were sent home. 2) What Rehab classes they were offered, and were these free, or if not were they covered by insurance. 3) Where they had the operation, so comparisons are possible. No need to name the hospital, just the state, or country if it's not the USA. I think the results would be interesting, and might lead on to us as a lobby group being able to get some more help for those getting a raw deal. My details were: 1) Printed sheets suggesting breathing exercises, and graduated physical exercise routines over the 8 weeks post op. Plus a 'Triflo' breathing exerciser at no charge ( the one where you suck and try to get the little balls up to the top). 2) 6 weeks of Rehab classes (2 per week) comprising 90 minutes of exercise followed by one hour information sessions on diet, drugs and their side effects, stress management, etc. These followed by once-a-week Maintenance exercise classes for as long as we choose to attend. All of this is free. 3) Operation in Sydney, Australia in late August in a private hospital. All Rehab classes provided by a public hospital. I've just got back from a Maintenance session - sore and puffed, but feeling good. I don't know how I would have coped without this support, and would like to believe that all of us are getting it. Cheers, Julian
Hi Whiskers, The hospital gave me a Coach2 by DHD Healthcare. I am sure you can find something like it at a medical supply. The first part of the exercise is to blow all the air out, then you inhale raising the "ball" up a scale. I had to do this 10 times every hour. It also had a smaller "ball" that would indicate if I was pulling the air in correctly. Hard to explain. It does make breathing easier. My son got tired of the Coach2 being out but I think he is going to have to get used to it again. I had gotten up to the 3000 level but am back to the 2500 level now. My younger brother "says" he was at 4000 right a way. The big blow hard. I have been having problems at night too. I think a lot of it is stress and not relaxing because in the morning I am lying flat and breathing fine. My cardio suggested using relaxation exercises, music etc at bed time. The dance music I listened to last night just doesn't do it. I've always had problems sleeping but it hasn't been as uncomfortable as it is right now. Oh well, I am still trying to give up decaf. losing her ribbons as well as her whiskers formerly Countess Talks Too Much