Welcome to the Physiotherapy Treadmill Room

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Erick Burke
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1 Welcome to the Physiotherapy Treadmill Room Information for patients and families TGH Read this information to learn: why it s important to exercise before and after your transplant what to expect answers to some common questions Treadmill Room Toronto General Hospital Peter Munk Building 12 th floor, room 204 Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 to 12 pm and 1 to 4 pm Phone: , extension 3982 Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: Transplant Physiotherpy Team Revised: 09/2015 Form: D-5508

3982 Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca 2015 University Health Network. All rights reserved.

2 In the treadmill room, you exercise before and after your lung transplant. We create an exercise program just for you, and we closely check your progress. Why do I need to exercise before and after my surgery? Before your transplant, it s important to exercise so your body is as healthy as possible. This can improve the result of your surgery. If you often feel short of breath and weak, exercise can really improve your strength. It can also improve your endurance, which is the amount of time you can continue doing tiring activities. After your transplant, it s normal to feel weak. Exercise will help you get stronger so you can get back to your daily activities. It will also help you become more active. This will take time, and we will teach you how to exercise safely. Our goal is to help you live a healthy and active life after your transplant. How often do I need to exercise? Before your transplant, you exercise 3 times a week. This continues until you have your surgery. After your transplant you exercise 3 times a week for at least 3 months. I don t live in Toronto. Can I exercise closer to home? Before your transplant: For the first 4 weeks, you need to exercise 3 times a week in Toronto. It usually takes this amount of time to develop the best exercise program for you. After this, if there is a suitable place for you in your community, you can exercise twice a week closer to home and once a week in Toronto. Please ask a staff member if this is something you want to do. We will do our best to move you to a place closer to home, but we can t guarantee it. 2

If you often feel short of breath and weak, exercise can really improve your strength. It can also improve your endurance, which is the amount of time you can continue doing tiring activities.

3 After your transplant: After your transplant you need to exercise in Toronto 3 times a week, for the first 3 months. What kind of exercise do I do? Your program includes 3 kinds of exercise: aerobic training (bike, treadmill, arm bike) resistance training (lifting weights) stretching We work closely with you to develop the right program. We use information like: how you feel when you exercise your oxygen levels your heart rate your shortness of breath This information helps us create the right exercise program and make changes over time. What do I need to bring? ;; comfortable clothes ;; comfortable shoes ;; oxygen equipment that you normally use You may use our wall oxygen units. If you use liquid oxygen, you can fill your tank in the treadmill room. 3

We use information like: how you feel when you exercise your oxygen levels your heart rate your shortness of breath This information helps us create the right exercise program and make

4 Don t use scented products when you come to the treadmill room or any University Health Network (UHN) hospital Patients in the treadmill room already have trouble breathing. Being around products that have a scent causes their breathing problems to become worse. Even some visitors and staff start to feel short of breath, cough a lot or get very bad headaches when they are around products that have a scent. These products include deodorants, laundry soap, creams, perfumes and shampoos. UHN hospitals, including Toronto General Hospital, are scent-free hospitals. All patients and visitors should avoid using scented products before coming to UHN. You can buy unscented or fragrance-free products at local pharmacies or stores. Please ask family members or support persons to not use scented products when they come with you to the hospital. When can I come in? You can exercise in the morning or in the afternoon. Please check the times the treadmill room is open. You will need about 1½ hours to complete your program. We will do our best to work with the time you prefer. If you have cystic fibrosis, we make a special schedule for you. A staff member will help you arrange it. Who works with me? You work with physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants. These are health care professionals. They have special training and experience working with people who have lung disease and had lung transplants. 4

Even some visitors and staff start to feel short of breath, cough a lot or get very bad headaches when they are around products that have a scent.

5 Can someone come to exercise with me? Yes! We encourage your support person to come with you for your exercise sessions. How do you keep track of my progress? We use an exercise card and regular 6 minute walk tests to keep track of your progress. We want your exercise program to be challenging, but not too difficult. Talk to us! Tell us how you are doing with your exercises, so we can make changes when we need to. Should I exercise at home too? Talk to your physiotherapist about what kinds of activities you can do at home. It may be a good idea for you to exercise at home as well, and we may design a program for you. Why do I need to measure my oxygen saturation? Oxygen saturation means how much oxygen your blood carries. Your doctors will set a range for your oxygen saturation, and you will need to measure it to make sure you are in this range. You usually have to take in extra oxygen to stay in range. We may make changes to your oxygen prescription so you stay in range and are able to complete your program. What should I do if I am not feeling well or can t come for my exercise session? If you can t come to your exercise session or need to change your schedule, please call us at , extension If you have a health concern, contact your transplant coordinator. 5

Tell us how you are doing with your exercises, so we can make changes when we need to. Should I exercise at home too? Talk to your physiotherapist about what kinds of activities you can do at home.

6 How do you keep the treadmill room clean? You must wash your hands when you enter and exit the treadmill room. We teach you how to wipe down all exercise areas and equipment you use with a special cleaner to get rid of germs. Staff regularly cleans all the equipment. Could using a walker help me? It might. Using a walker called a rollator can make walking and getting around easier. Holding the handles as you push helps decrease your shortness of breath when you walk. A rollator has a built-in seat so you can sit and rest whenever you need to. Some have a basket to carry your oxygen tank. Where can I get one? We may be able to lend you one if it s available. You can rent them from any health care supply store. The Red Cross rents them at a good price (about $35 dollars). Call the Red Cross at Ask a staff member if you need help. 6

Using a walker called a rollator can make walking and getting around easier. Holding the handles as you push helps decrease your shortness of breath when you walk.

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