New here, diagnosed with copd jan 14

[Cowbaybc]

Well my smoking years caught up with me I guess it was just a matter of time. On the up side I quit smoking the day I was told,I have copd mostly emphysema. I've been reading many of your posts, you are a very supportive community. For now I will continue to read and learn from you all. Thank you for being here.

[rambi]

Welcome Cowbaybc, this is a great site, lots of helpful kind people. Great that you gave up the cigs,

Take care x

[MrsHobbit]

Welcome Cowbaybc, this is an excellent site for information and support xx

Well done on stop smoking

[Hidden]

cowbaybc hi, great to have you on the site, you will get lot,s of support on here. take care.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Hello and welcome Cowbaybc !

[Hidden]

Firstly well done on quitting ,I know how hard that must of been for you..I am in gold stage Emphysema a nd here to chat anytime...Take care Laura

[glo38 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Laura... I was told I had Emphysema back in 2012. Can you tell me what "gold stage".... I have never heard of that before???

[scrobbitty in reply to glo38]

This link will explain it for you

webmd.com/lung/copd/gold-cr...

[Hidden in reply to glo38]

Hi Glo,scrobbitty has put up link for you to explain what gold staging is..I'm in very severe stages of Emphysema..Its mainly how well I can expel the air from my lungs ,but at present I cant blow out a candle..Hence an op..I can't wait but at the same time scared as hell..Take care Laura

[nanaber]

Hi welcome your in good company now!

[FarmerD]

Welcome Cowbaybc,don,t listen to Puff he really is a dragon you know,lol.The not smoking gets easier with time,keep as active as you can,good luck.D.

[kimmy59]

Hello and welcome

Glad you found the forum, they are a good bunch here.

Kim xx

[KMAnkers]

Hello, I joined on here yesterday and received phenomenal support from everyone and has made a difference already. My husband was diagnosed with COPD two years ago.

[huggs]

Hello cowbaybc, and welcome to the site. I have not been here that long myself, but have had loads of advice and information from posting questions, and reading other posts. Another thing you can do is press on the red balloon at the top of the page and it will tell you how to get help from a BLF nurse. They are excellent and I have learned more from them than my doctors. Its fantastic that you have stopped smoking, as that is the single most important thing you can do to help yourself. I hope you keep well and take care. hugs xx

[lilysausage]

That's exactly what I said when I was first diagnosed ..This site is fantastic, you never feel alone :).

[Cowbaybc]

Thank you for the warm welcome I guess maybe I should say how I quit smoking, I'm using the e ciggarette. I bought a kit and started the day after diagnoses and never lit another smoke, I smoked for 35 years...yikes!! E ciggarettes aren't for everyone but it's working for me right now. I have moderate copd, and I will be 53 in June, I live in canada on Vancouver island, a community close to victoria bc.

[coastal1]

Welcome to the forum .

I was diagnosed with moderate ( lower end ) copd last October and quit smoking using champix shortly after . I had smoked for 48 years . My symptoms mostly disappeared and I now feel healthier ( touch wood ) than I have for years.

Well done on your quit. Hope you find the site as good a source of information as I have .

Cheers Coastal .

[dido53]

Welcome,I to am quite new I was diagnosed with copd last April and find this site and the people very helpful.

[Cowbaybc]

I've been reading so many interesting comments,and I have a question. I have fev1 62% I was given atrovent used it the first couple of months but haven't felt like I've needed it recently, should I be using it anyway ? Is this the right medication? Should I be taking something else? I think I read some inhalers work to help prevent further damage or to slow progression...should I be asking doc for another medication? I don't know, I want to do everything I can to stay healthy and breathe well for a long long time! Thank you