Has anyone done this? My cardiologist thinks that it will help with my symptoms, and I am crossing my fingers that it will. He says that my heart is a little weak after everything that has been happening in the last 6.5 months. I finally feel like I might be getting somewhere now that I have doctors that actually want to help me instead of being frustrated by my symptoms and pushing me out the door!

I'm considering cardiac rehab, too. I'm so exercise intolerant that I think I need to be on a structured program where I can be medically monitored as well.

I'm just waiting for energy since I'm just back to working full days and can't squeeze anything in at the moment even though I know it's terribly important!

My PT wants me to talk to my cardio about this, because she thinks my head is messed up feeling due to my low bp and not the Lyme. I don't agree and would feel dumb asking for cardio rehab. I'll ask my LLMD about the bp vs. Lyme tomorrow. (I was feeling very poorly at PT yesterday and then later in the day, I think it was the NCS, which hasn't been a problem in forever.)

hugs

What exactly is cardiac rehab?

I started physical therapy 3 weeks ago. Started because of my shoulder, but the PT said he would help me overall. He has read all the info I've shared with him on OI/POTS and I go twice a week and he has me do exercises while monitoring me.

And when I say exercises, I mean sitting in a chair raising my lower leg 20 times (believe it or not, that is hard especially on a bad day). Or different arm muscles. He is working all my muscles while sitting and also has me on a cycle machine for 3 minutes and a step machine for 3 minutes (this machine sits and your legs are in front of you pushing like stepping).

He watches me for shortness of breath and I rest alot. He does not push me or think I am silly or just lazy when something tires me. It helps that he has seen me get so out of breath and lose the color in my face, etc....just from arm exercises. It takes me an hour to do what most healthy people could probably do in 15 minutes with their eyes closed

I know my body is out of shape due to this illness and the inability to do much when it is at its worst. But I also know this illness won't allow me to jump into a regular exercixse program.

My life now consists of work and physical recovery activity (water exercise & physical therapy & chiropractor & massage). I can't use any other energy toward fun stuff because I need it for these and must work.

BUT if cardio rehab is like walking/running/upright activity - there is NO way I could do that yet....

Cardiac Rehab is used alot when patients are recovering from heart attack and need to strengthen the weakened heart. My cardiologist told me that they will be able to monitor my HR, O2 saturation, and breathing while I am working out. They start you off very slow and then build up duration and frequency as you can tolerate it. He said that my heart is probably weak now because I used to be so active, working out 5 days a week with cardio and weight training. But since all of this has clobbered me, I have a hard time walking up a flight of stairs most days. Exercise in conjunction with BP meds should also help me to maintain a more stable BP and hopefully get it up a bit too. I usually run about 90/55 on a good day. I will let you know how it goes. I have my first session on Tuesday.

hi rachel, yes, please let us know how it goes.

i just do caution you not to push yourself too far because that could set you back. its a fine line between pushing yourself for improvement and pushing yourself too far.

I think cardia rehab is a great idea for any of us struggling to build up our exercise stamina. My Dr. recommended it but my insurance would only cover it if I'd had a heart attack. Now that my insurance has changed, we are going to readdress it. It just gives that added peace of mind while exercising....I know I often feel very lightheaded and faint while exercising and it would be nice to be monitored and encouraged along the way. Eventually, I think I would tend to push myself more and hopefully increase my tolerance faster.