Does everyone get recommended for Re-hab

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piglet

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
164
Location
BC Canada
I'm about 6 months out from AVR and I have recieved no rehab. Because of the limitations of my RA I'm unable to just go and walk and the public pools here give me the willies because my immune system is pretty compramized due to meds. I've ask my GP several times and so far no rehab has been recomended. My question is does anyone know why I wouldn't qualify cause I'm at a loss as to what to do to get back into shape. I went out today to blow leaves and it darn near did me in. If this level of fitness is to be my future I'm not sure I want one. I'm not good at sitting still and I'm a bit worried that this is my long term fitness level.

I'm sorry for the spelling errors, I'm too tired to care enough to fix them right now lol
 
I didn't either of my surgeries though my cardiologists does recommend most of his patients go to rehab. My insurance would have covered it and I didn't raise the topic but he did. He knows my lifestyle, motivation, risk factors etc and chose to recommend I didn't need to go unless I really wanted to. I didn't. I was (and still am) very motivated to take good care of myself and his words were that while it is very beneficial, it isn't for everybody. Not everyone needs it or will get enough from it to make it worth it.

Can you excercise walk on your own? In your neighborhood or at a track? Walking is so beneficial and the more you do it, at a pace that is comfortable for you but faster than a casual stroll, the more you will get from it. I walk consistently for at least 40+ minutes or so and it has served me well.
 
Jkm7 said:
Can you excercise walk on your own? In your neighborhood or at a track? Walking is so beneficial and the more you do it, at a pace that is comfortable for you but faster than a casual stroll, the more you will get from it. I walk consistently for at least 40+ minutes or so and it has served me well.
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Thanks for the reply Jkm7, never take your mobility for granted.
NOT being able to walk IS the problem. Because of the pain and inflamation in both feet, ankles and knees, I'm only able to limp so much in a day before I'm done, so I reserve it for things like making dinner, doing laundry and trips to the toilet. I'm sorry for being a whiner, I'm just getting really frustrated with being so restricted.
 
Piglet, our medicare (the national umberella of provincial plans) I believe does cover it so if I were in BC I would contact both your cardio and surgeon or nurse practitioner to push for it and no, with complications we take longer but it does get better heck being the overachiever I am in the complication dept I am STILL feeling better every day......dont tell anyone but that is 4 years later

Greg
 
I've made another appointment to see my GP, (no cardiologists here) and I'm going to ask AGAIN. I've asked every doctor I've seen since surgery. Up till now I just figured they had a reason not to, but now I'm not so sure and I'm getting pissed. I don't make a good couch potato.
 
Piglet,
I'm sorry for your limitations and I never take my mobility for granted. I asked as I did not assume you could walk.

I lost a very close family member to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupis. I am too well familiar with that disease.
I watched her suffer and seek all possible treatments. There were fewer in those years than today and hopefully as research continues more effective treatments will materialize.

By all means, I would certainly stay on all your doctor, nurses, medical providers to get you into any program that can help with rehab for you. You are your own best advocate. They are all so busy these days that if we don't put ourselves front and center, we can get lost in the shuffle. They work hard and mean well but we have to get our face/voice in front of them and ask for help, when necessary.

All my best wishes.
 
piglet said:
I've made another appointment to see my GP, (no cardiologists here) and I'm going to ask AGAIN. I've asked every doctor I've seen since surgery. Up till now I just figured they had a reason not to, but now I'm not so sure and I'm getting pissed. I don't make a good couch potato.
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Have you asked your surgeon? If you dont have a cardiologist, I would ask the surgeon
 
I've seen my surgeon once and at that time he said I wouldn't need to see him again, kinda like, "I fixed you, have a nice life". All specialist appointments and communications are done through GP.
 
If you are interested in Cardiac Rehab, call your cardiologist and request a referal. You might also speak with your family doctor. While most people begin Rehab around six to ten week there were several people in my group who were there several months after surgery. We are all individuals with different problems so some people need more time before attending a program. At six months, your sternum has completed healing so you should have a different range of exercise choices than someone beginning during the early weeks.

Larry
 
I use a stationary bike rather that walking due to leg pain. I cannot do it for very long but I sometimes leave it out in my living room so that I do it several times a day however from what I'm reading you cannot do that either. I didn't do re-hab but I was able to walk after surgery.
Good luck and keep us posted
 
Interesting.

I was not recommended for cardiac re-hab following my January 2003 OHS, but this time around (in a week), I'm told that cardiac rehab will be part of the recovery process.....



Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic
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"I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower" __ Counting Crows __ 'A Long December'
 
I asked about cardiac rehab prior to my AVR and was told by my cardiologist that thay only refer those who they feel need the extra push to do the exercises they reccomend after surgery. Since I was one that has always followed thier advice, I have been left to do thier simple rehab assignments on my own -- they have consisted of nothing more than walking and doing some simple stretching exercises so far (two weeks post surgery)

Dan
 
My cardio makes it optional to some and required for the rest. In other words, if he feels that you will do the necessary exercises, your rehab is optional. If he feels you will not exercise, he requires it. For me it was optional, but he said he is always pleased when his patients decide to do the rehab. Even if you exercise by yourself, the rehab is supervised and they push you harder -- so that you can feel how much you can really do, but if anything goes "south" they are right there. The group setting also makes it a social event, adding to the fun and making it less of a chore.

While I was in rehab, they did have one patient that had to be sent to the ER (right down the hall) due to abruptly decreased blood pressure. I guess if something like that is going to happen to you, it is best to have it happen right at the hospital.
 
I also think it depends upon what level of fitness you have always sought for/maintained in your lifestyle.

The homemaker who walks daily, does usual housework, grocery shopping, socializing, shopping with friends , maintains a healthy weight and sits on a Caribbean beach for vacation has different fitness goals than the fellow who rides his mountain bike for hours, scales mountains just because they are there, cross country skis in the frigid cold and swims miles for relaxation. Most who wish to return to heavy weight lifting should probably be supervised as they begin to lift again. The stay at home lady really doesn't need a lot of supervision for her daily 2 - 2 1/2 mile walks. and moderate stretching exercises. Also depends the level of 'common sense' of the person and knowing when enough is enough.

However, if that lady is not motivated and cannot be counted on to descipline herself to putting on her sneakers daily then she needs the supervision just as much......... or if there is some medical reason requiring observatoin while returning to normal lifestyle.
 
I have RA too, developed 2 years ago and I totally empathize with the added strain. Mine is in my hands, feet and knees. I found at the six month mark from surgery I was battling fatigue from the surgery and RA. I started cardio rehab in March of this year completed in Sept. The rehab team was very respectful that I couldn't do certain things ie walking on the track would flare up my Ra, shifted to the elliptical stationary runner and it was great. When the weather here improved in April, bicycle riding every second day for 10 km or so, no hills was far more comfortable. By August doing 60 km a day wasn't a problem but I would have to take a day off if I did that much. The slowest recovery has been my upper body, hands are not good at weight I balance a lot of things in my forearms to carry stuff, it was August until I could open a door without leaning into it. There is a few things I can't do just yet, but they are improving.

RA sucks. The drug - planquil started in May this year is helping. The circulation improvement since the surgery has defiantly made my extremity's work better with the exercise. I'm sure your rheumatologist has told you exercise, diet and healthy living is the best thing, yup, I can sure agree with that. I think in summary for me RA was an added burden but not insurmountable to recovery from surgery.

Wish you the best at finding a rehab program, I'm surprised, all the doctors I dealt with encouraged every time I saw them, but it was a bit of a wait until space in the program opened up. The big thing is knowing your limits and the rehab teams monitoring to slowly get you back into shape.

Take Care, I'd shake your hand if it were possible even though that IS the most difficult thing for me to do. Lots of people do not understand.

Bob
 
Thanks CanoeBob, it helps to know someone gets it. ((virtual handshake))
Because my RA is still in the midst of major flare in my feet, ankles, hands and wrists I feel that supervision would prevent me from doing permanant joint damage, something my rheumatologist has warned me about. I talked to the arthritis society today and have set up an appointment for an exercise program (not cheap though) as my Doctor is having trouble finding rehab so I guess I'm on my own. I also contacted someone at 'Heart Matters" to send my GP the info on rehab for January. Even if he doesn't think it will apply in my situation at least his future patients may benefit. He just became a Doctor this year so he's still learning I guess.
 
Oh, am with you! Got a cortisone shot YESTERDAY because couldn't do my cardio rehab w/o.!!! I have ankylosing spondylitis (virtual handshake) and three (3) hip replacements.
Listen to Canoebob!!! It is really TRUE you will feel better and you are a survivor, like us other autoimmune arth can't-move-right heart people. I had my AVR ten days before you did, and I definitely think cardio is the best. There are other people there, who can exercise less than I can, on oxygen, etc. ...camaraderie is really important for us at this stage. We're so much SLOWER at getting better we can feel like ...blazes??? Depression is SO common with heart pTients when I got home from surgery my insurance carrier phoned and asked if I'd like some counseling assistance because they were familiar with this. Can you imagine? Coulda kissed them.! Am taking an antidepressant, and-with the ankylosing pain-pain med. Totally supervised by my Dr. ....
We're here and you CAN make it. You may need to mess with your meds to help, and I sure would get into some cardio/arth rehab group... It DOES get better, just keep on...keeping on? Let us know how you're getting on, because it IS important to us!!!! (virtual hug). Michelle
 
The biggest thing in heart recovery I think is to find out what your maximum heart rate during exercise now is and keep below that limit. Listen to your body it will tell you when you've had enough. Using those two things and you will find that you are doing the cardio rehab program on your own, minus the professional supervision who remind you to stay within your limits and the camaraderie to spur you on. Being competitive I found it difficult to stay in limits and would push myself to hard. But hey, the exercise made me feel good with the endorphin pumping through my body so it's hard to find balance when exercising alone. The bike was great but supporting my weight on the handlebars took a toll on my RA, took tylenol and voltrane cream before the ride and know when to turn back was the solution I found. Whined and cried afterwards cause of the pain but was on a high because of the ride, cheese and rice! It's slow but you'll find your own level.

Bob
 
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