Pulmonary rehabilitation has really helped me feel like me again

Karen was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a type of pulmonary fibrosis, four years ago. Here she tells us about the impact it's had on her life and how pulmonary rehabilitation has helped her feel more like herself again.

Karen, Asthma + Lung UK supporter
Published 29th January 2026

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) happens if your lungs develop an immune response to something you breathe in which results in inflammation of the lung tissue. My lung condition was caused by breathing in particles from feathers or bird droppings, called bird fancier’s lung. 

After a long journey to get my diagnosis. I was referred to an interstitial lung disease specialist. Interstitial lung diseases cause scarring or inflammation in your lungs, or a mix of both.

Things got worse while I was waiting to see a specialist

While I was on the waitlist to see the specialist, I lost my horse, Bertie. It was really hard as he was my best friend and safe place. In December 2023, I caught a respiratory virus after which my breathing had got much worse.

My consultant sent me for a CT scan and oxygen assessment which showed my disease had progressed. I was then referred for a lung transplant and pulmonary rehabilitation.

I've been able to do the things I love again

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a practical course specially designed for people living with a lung condition that makes them breathless. It teaches people ways to manage their condition and be more active over time.

When I started pulmonary rehabilitation, it made me realise how tense I was, but I really enjoyed it. There were a range of people in the group from 40 to 88 years old.

After some more sessions and, thanks to the amazing PR teachers, I can now go horse riding again with the help of a kind riding school. I also started taking an antifibrotic medication which treats pulmonary fibrosis and has helped slow the lung fibrosis.

I've overcome the belief that I lost my identity

My condition has stabilised for now, and I was told that I don’t meet the criteria for transplant at the moment. This was a relief due to the risk and complexity of surgery and recovery.

I feel like having this disease stripped me of my identity and the chance to ride again but doing PR helped me to overcome that belief and has really helped me feel like me again.

Get support

Call or email our helpline for support with any aspect of living with a lung condition – whether you need practical advice, emotional support, or answers to health-related questions. You can also find support through our groups.

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