"Out of breath when climbing stairs"

I am a 69 year old male 

I have pigeon fanciers lung which has now been diagnosed as emphysema which led to heart problems , I attended my local Doctor who sent me to hospital straight away ,after I was admitted to hospital I was diagnosed and treated for my illness various scans and X-rays , I was released and attended forth valley hospital for a big scan and visited the respiratory specialist and heart specialist, after tests the respiratory were happy with the results and explained I have to watch how I manage myself as the damage was done over a period of years .

The main problem was the heart and after various scans I was put on a course of medication, after a few visits to see them and telephone calls from the specialist and a program for having my blood tested it settled down so I could get on with my life. I was advised to go on a 6 week rehab fitness course at the gym as it was run by respiratory nurses. Just before the course I noticed I was out of breath when going up the stairs at my flat, as I was going the next week to be assessed at the gym I just waited to see what would happen when I got assessed.

When I done my exercise test my oxygen level dropped so the nurse was worried and arranged for me to get a blood gas test done. I attended forth valley out patients and got the tests and the results the same day as the test and was recommended to be put on oxygen. I was apprehensive about wearing oxygen and going to the gym but I got used to it going to the shops and about the house. Then I went to the gym and done the six week course and the results improved with the oxygen , I now have a nurse who looks after me and if I have any problems I can contact her.

I would like to thank the staff for all the help and treatment at-forth valley hospital and Orchard House Practice Stirling also the oxygen supplier who cannot do enough for you and install and explain how to use the system also the staff who run the rehab course at the gym also you can share your experience with the other people on the course and they share there own experience and everybody can learn from it .