had copd 20 years now suffering with panic attacks loads any advice please.im a newby here today not sure aboutit all ,help thankyou

[longlungs]

im at stage 4 apparently now people are acting like im gonna pop my clogs in a min,dont like the negativity need the opposite.any advice out there gratefully received.

[Toci]

H there. I don't know who the 'people' are but I am also stage 4 ("very severe") and I am going nowhere! I can only suggest you do not allow the negativity and tell them you are not going anywhere soon either!

[longlungs in reply to Toci]

thanks Toci that is what i have said,it just threw me a bit that night questioning myself had several panic attacks that night felt unnerved a little! But no more im alive and fairly well could probably do with doing some exersize,

[Toci in reply to longlungs]

Exercise is definitely the key to living longer and living better. It does not need to be too athletic. A set of gentle exercises done every day will work. Ask your GP about pulmonary rehab, where you can learn a lot about looking after yourself. x

[longlungs in reply to Toci]

i have just been referred have had first visit am waiting for next group to start.

[Toci in reply to longlungs]

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. x

[KingoftheCocktails]

Phone the BLF Helpline 03000 030 555 for exercise advice and any other queries you have.They are very helpful

KOTC

Your daily humour tonic

[longlungs in reply to KingoftheCocktails]

thanks will do,

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I'm also Stage 4, very severe. I still do the same part-time job I was doing before I got diagnosed 2 years ago which is outdoors and reasonably mobile. I am a long way from being housebound. Exercise is the best medicine. Keep active. I intend to live as long as I would have if I didn't have this illness. Being positive is also a great help.

[Hidden]

Welcome longlungs,

You've already had some good advice but you may want to check out this BLF page also :

blf.org.uk/Page/Living-with...

Hope you find it useful.

Best wishes

BC

[sillywitch]

Hello longlungs, panic attacks are really frightening, & they are the worse thing you can have when you are already struggling to breathe, I,d recommend a chat with your GP to see if He/She can recommend some exercises to help you focus on keeping calm & perhaps even give you a small dose of a relaxant for bad days?

Good luck with doing your exercises

The Witch

xxx

[mollymoomoo in reply to sillywitch]

hi i also used to get bad panic attacks but my doc sent me to phyiso they tought me how to manage the attacks when i felt one coming by breathing exersizes and so far i havent had one it may be worth a try

[sillywitch]

Hello longlungs, panic attacks are really frightening, & they are the worse thing you can have when you are already struggling to breathe, I,d recommend a chat with your GP to see if He/She can recommend some exercises to help you focus on keeping calm & perhaps even give you a small dose of a relaxant for bad days?

Good luck with doing your exercises

The Witch

xxx

[Quintus in reply to sillywitch]

I have severe emphysema and I certainly don't intend to pop my clogs for a very long time. Panic attacks are very scary but do not kill you. Ring the helpline and you will get lots of reassurance and help. Do try to exercise as much as you are able, it has certainly helped me. We are all here to help as much as we are able. Talk to your g.p and explain your worries and make sure you are getting the best meds for your condition.

Take care and come back to talk to us when ever you want to.

Viv xxx

[knitter]

Hi and welcome...looks like you got long lungs like me, I have to tell the radiologist when I have an xray, so they fit on the plate!

Panic attacks seem to go hand in hand with breathlessness for many people here, the BLF have leaflets to help deal with anxiety and there is a Helpline as well.

One post mentioned Bachs Rescue Remedy recently, you can get a spray or pastilles, the pursed lip breathing exercise is good too to steady the breath.

good luck.. J.

[Hidden]

Hello, My husband has severe COPD and he doesn't intend to be popping his clogs for some time!!! He has also started to get panic attacks and they are as scary as the breathlessness. Whilst on holiday a friend recommended BACHS rescue remedy spray (you can get it at BOOTS) - he has found it very useful and very quick acting. He has found he is using his recuse inhaler much less. This friend was also suffering with panic attacks and was recommended the spray by her doctor. That might be worth trying!

I could rattle on for ages about what we do and how we try to live as normally as possible! But the one thing that definitely changed his life for the better was the PULMONARY REHAB course he attended two years ago (actually just started his second course) - it is a run here by the specialist respiratory team and is run twice a week for about 8 weeks. Each session is split into two - one hour exercise which is strictly supervised and one hour information. Having said that the first time I asked the doctor for a referral we were told he was not bad enough!! I persevered and it was definitely a turning point. I could not recommend it more highly.

Stay positive!! Look after yourself and take care. With much love TAD xx

[chrissyk]

hiya x are you on oxygen ? that will help if youre not . my husband on oxy now his panic attacks seem to have subsided . ask to go on rehab therapy that's good plus it gets you out and mixing my hubby goes twice a week x good luck and take care x deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth . it works wonders x x

[O2Trees]

Just to add my bit, long lungs - you can live years despite being at "very severe" stage. Great advice here - panic attacks are terrifying but wont kill you! they really wont. Exercise, call BLF helpline, don't need to wait for pulm rehab group before getting active. Exercise really is the key, starting from where you are - your GP will check what you are ok to do. Long life and best wishes, jean

[appyalison]

Lonlungs, welcome, listen to the helpful and positive advice on here and it will really help. There are fantastic people on here who really care about how you are feeling in your head as well as your illness. Relax and enjoy some friends, jokes and information. Good luck Alison

[onamission]

Hi and welcome, like you I'm also level 4 and have had copd for 10 years.

I have been very lucky not to get the flu up until May this year and it was this flu that knocked me for six.

I had a test in February which showed level 3 then as I said the flu took its toll and I ended up level 4. I go to aqua fit at our local pool the water takes the weight of your body, I'm not sure where you live but if your near me you are welcome to join me.

[pisces43]

I suffered from panic attacks every time I became breathless especially at night when I am on my own. I was advised by a COPD physio to focus on breathing OUT rather than trying to breathe in. He said to think of a balloon full of air, you can't get more air In until you let some out! So I blow out gently for as long as I can and then there is room to breathe in. I have found it so helpful, hardly ever panic any more. Hope it will help you too

[Knowledweller]

Hi Longlungs. For the panic attacks you could try 'Rescue Remedy' by Bach Flower Remedies, available from all good chemists. I/we swear by it. A natural remedy so it's good to use. Take care.