Pulmonary Rehab
I was skeptical of Pulmonary Rehab to put it
mildly. I had been on
supplemental oxygen over four years before I took a Pulmonary Rehab
Class. Looking back I
wish I had taken one four years before I started supplemental
oxygen. I would not have
learned as much taking it before I did, but it would have helped
prepare me for what was coming and made it easier.
When I was finally ready for Rehab I asked my Doctor for a
referral and my insurance paid for it.
I believe it was on the intake session when
they handed me a Monaghan Z Stat, Flowsignal and showed me how to
use it with my emergency inhaler (albuterol).
I was skeptical that it would do much but gave it a try.
After the first use I could tell it got more medicine to my
lungs than spraying the inhaler directly into my mouth.
I don’t understand why Physicians don’t prescribe one to all
who use an inhaler or that insurance companies don’t insist they do.
The Monaghan Z Stat, Flowsignal on its own made the class
worthwhile. I had been
using an inhaler for over fifty years and didn’t know about it.
The class taught breathing techniques, methods
to help clear phlegm and so much more.
I already knew the importance of using an oximeter and the
class confirmed it. The
oximeter is an important tool, even before you are using
supplemental oxygen.
The class I was in supplied 99.5% pure oxygen
for supplemental oxygen.
Even if you do not use supplemental oxygen you may wish to take
advantage of it, if the class will let you, to find out if you can
do more on a treadmill with supplemental oxygen.
Document your treadmill speeds, blood oxygen levels and LPM
of oxygen used. Let your
Physician know the results from both with and without supplemental
oxygen. If possible
document higher LPM flows as well.
I used the class to compare an Inogen One G3
and oxygen conserving devices to LPM of 99.5% pure oxygen.
I had an old G3 with 4 settings and it didn’t come close to
suppling 3 LPM. None of
the POCs do any better unless you are using one of the luggable POCs
that are capable of providing 3 LPM constant flow.
Most oxygen conserving devices aren’t any better.
The only I really liked was the Drive CHAD® Evolution™
Electronic Oxygen Conserver which I could actually use for low
energy being out and about.
I learned I could do so much more if I was
getting the oxygen I needed to be active.
THIS PAGE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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These are my thoughts and
experiences, not medical advice.
Gerald(Skip) Miller