Harmonica

cfgirl38

New member
Hi everyone. I'm currently in a pulmonary rehab class and my pulmo therapist has a harmonica class that she says improves your muscles surrounding your lungs making your lungs feel clearer. I'v went to a couple of classes with it and you can really feel a difference a while. Anywho I wanted to know if anyone else does musical instruments or activity that helps with lung improvement and what it's done or not done for you. Thanks. <img src="i/expressions/nebulizer.gif" border="0">
 
I

IG

Guest
Flute, I was advised to find a different instrument due to the fact that it takes an amazing amount of air to play. Not like the other wind instruments where it's channeling the air into a reed, etc. Honestly I can say that I think playing the flute for 5 odd years helped increase my lung functions and keep me going as long as I did. Since it was regular exercise and it does take a lot of effort to master the basics and then get to the point where you're able to play with a band/group... it takes a lot of effort and you'll get out of it what you put into it. But it did help my functions amazingly well.
 

Lilith

New member
Okay, before you read this, know that I'm a video-game junkie...

I actually bought an ocarina based on the one from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Tried to play it, and needless to say I sucked. I have gotten better, though, and I think I've gained some extra lung function from it. I don't get to play it very often (at almost every point in my house SOMEONE is sleeping), but it does help me out when I do.
 

abloedel

New member
During my last hospitalization, they sent me home with this "lung exercisor". I can't remember what it's called, but you basically suck in all the air you can on this blue plastic tube and it moves this thing that measures the force on the right.

When I first started using it (right after a 4 lobe pneumonia), I could only get it to 300-500. Now I can get it to 3-4 THOUSAND. If anyone is interested, I'll look it up when I get home to see exactly what it's called, but it definitely helped to get back some of the lung function I had lost!

Amy
36 w/CF
 

anonymous

New member
Amy-
What you are talking about is called an incentive spirometer. They give it to you after surgeries and stuff like that. I also use this as my post-transplant regimen. It helps to keep the small airways open. I could totally see how this could have helped me pre-transplant as well. Wish I would have known about it.

Margaret
Double lung tx 11.11.04
 

anonymous

New member
Saxopone for me but dont know if it helped much dont play that much any more any ways once in awhile i do, my husband has a trumpet so when he gets his out i get mine out. I played in the band my sophmore and senior year of highschool.


Jennifer (PrincessJDC)

Love, Peace, and Happiness <img src="i/expressions/angel.gif" border="0">
 
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