Wow, I just ask her the same question on another discussion. I can't wait to hear from her.

Pulmonary Rehab saved my life. I started last January after my latest blood clot series. It began with 8 min stints with 5 min rests in between. I do 8 min on a treadmill, with my heart rate no more than 110 because of my hyperdynamic heart. If I let it get higher, it takes off into high blood pressure of 210/150 etc. My therapist is right beside me with oxygen if my sats drop. Next is the arm/leg machine, looks like a eliptical with a seat, moves my arms and legs at the same time. I do 8 minutes at level 4. Then I move to Bioflex machine, which is a machine that moves arms like stairs. You rotate your arms kind of like peddling. This is 8 minutes at 3 mph.

The treadmill increases stamina for walking, the arm/leg is cardio and strength, and the Bioflex increases lung capacity. After 1 year of this 3 days a week I now do not need oxygen to exercise and can walk my local walmart and grocery store. The treadmill I got up to 15 min on my good days, stay at 10 on the bad ones. I do the same minutes on all 3 machines.

The other thing they do at pulmonary rehab is show you films on how to cope with breathlessness. They suggest not to towel after a shower but to put on a terry cloth robe and let it do the work. Lay down for 10 min after showering to get your breath.

Learn to say no to vigorous activities but keep your activity level at a steady, consistent basis. This will slowly increase your stamina.

My PH doc/cardiologist has said my PH is stable and has not changed in the last 6 months. He thinks it is due to the continued exercise. I know my lung capacity increased as did my pace on the 6 min,. walk.

Thanks for your reply Purplemem. I walk on my treadmill occasionally and I need to make it part of my morning routine. I also do stretches to ease body stiffness. But I have a problem when I use my arms too much; it leaves me breathless. But if you say it has helped you then I am going to try to incorporate some of these things (at home) slowly so I can build up some lung strength.

I'm happy to hear that someone is finding a way to cope and get some relief from this illness. I appreciate your willingness to share your experiences with us. You never what little bit of information may help someone.

Wanda

I didn't watch movies at rehab but I did start out with very mild exercise which in my condition was and,still is all I can do but purple I do level 6 on the machine with both arms and legs it took me along time to get there and I do about 12 to 15 minutes now on treadmill I started barely able to do 6 eventually got to 24 and then over the course of the year as flairs hit me I have come down to the 12 ,minutesI do but I am very terminally ill nd it's amazing I am this good, at this point.

Wow..God bless you everyone. And I am not kidding around. You are doing wonderful things. I get up to go to the bathroom and I am huffing and puffing. I know it's my own fault for just sitting still for 10 years. I have depression really bad and I cant find a reason to move. But anyway. You all are such an inspiration to me. Maybe ..just maybe there is a chance you have found the secret of "long life" for PH people. Walking! Thanks. Please share more if you can.