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How to stay active with PF
Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for most people who suffer from severe lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. The video features a patient with COPD who explains that although her lung disease does make things difficult, her doctor advised her to try and do as much as she possibly can — even if it takes her a long time, or two or three tries to achieve it.
Watch the video here: How to Stay Active With a Lung Condition
What do you do to stay physically active? What is your doctor’s opinion?
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6 Replies
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I was diagnosed with IPI in March of 2022. Immediately started taking OFEV, 150 mx 2xd. I had had several years of breathing trouble and bad lung infections. I have a fear of using Ox and an aversion to breathing machines. I am 81, still very active, and consider myself stable — primarily because of pulmonary rehabilitation
Shortly after being diagnosed I saw a sign for a place called the Breathing Center. I inquired and found out all they do is pulmonary rehabilitation and that with a doctors referral it is covered by Medicare. The course is 22 weeks long with 2 sessions per week of 75 minutes per session. In addition to specific breathing exercises they work also on general physical fitness. I have now completed the course 5 times, for a total of 220 sessions.
In each session they have a series of breathing exercises you do 5 reps for each exercise. I am no longer enrolled in the course, but I do the breathing exercised 4-7 times a week, except when I do them I do 15 reps for each exercise. I do go to the gym 2 to 4 times a week and the first thing I do is my breathing exercises. When I don’t go the the gym I do them standing in front of the bathroom mirror – it takes about 10 minutes to do them
My Ox level generally reads 97-100. Last summer I flew to Greece (37,000 feet altitude) with cabin pressure about 8 lbs and my Ox level never went below 97.
I would encourage everyone with IPF to sign up for pulmonary rehabilitation. Also go to the gym 2 to 4 times a week. I am convinced that without pulmonary rehabilitation and going to the gym, I would, at this point in my life, be a housebound disabled person.
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Hi John,
Could you describe your daily breathing routine in a post?
Thx
Ken
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Pulmonary rehab has been a lifesaver for me on multiple occasions, especially after an acute illness or exacerbation. My local transplant center offers a good pulmonary rehab program that I can do in person but if yours doesn’t or you aren’t close enough, there are some credible online options like: https://pulmonarywellness.org Check it out if you’re interested 🙂
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@Charlene Marshall – that’s a very good find. Thanks for sharing…
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I am a 78 yr old diagnosed 5 yrs ago with IPF. I enrolled in Pulmonary Rehab in August 2024. It consisted of 2 sessions weekly for 9 weeks (90 – 120 min each) . At first I thought it was unnecessary since I was fairly active even bowling . However one year later I am in bad shape and can hardly stand long. I believe my Dr will recommend another round of it and I’ll agree. If there is one theme that I hear it’s to stay active. So, go to that Rehab and learn techniques to help you breathe better. It’s also good for the soul to be in a group dealing with a similar issue.
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It will be 4 years since my initial diagnosis and I remain stable. I am quite active for my 85 years of age. I walk on the beach, do yoga, paddle around in the pool and exercise daily. I have no cough and feel good every day. I do get laser treatments on my lungs weekly according to the protocol of Dr. Andrew Hall. I also take pirfenadone. Not sure which one helps the most. I get a lot of nausea with the perfinadone. So, for me, life is good. I do keep a positive attitude.
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