Hi everyone I'm 45 and have copd I'm a dementia carer and have had to leave the job I love can I claim any benefits? Thanx

[Kebabalicious]

Can't sleep get confused frustrated angry off for another chest x ray worried sick can't keep myself

[kimmy59]

Hello and welcome

I understand your frustration, anger and fears, I've felt them all and still do at times. First I would suggest ringing BLF helpline they can answer all your question and are brilliant, find out exactly what is going on then take your medication, if you have any. But most importantly you must try and calm down, that will not do your breathing any favours. Have you Googled, well don't it will only frighten you and it's not how it is. Come here anytime there's always someone to talk to. Also ask your doctor to refer you for Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Good luck

Kim xxxx

[longlungs]

Hi kebabalicious welcome to our very friendly forum,Kimmy has given you the great advice already and I completely agree with her.When first diagnosed with a long term illness it scares the living daylights out of you did me coz I thought that copd was an old persons disease and I was in my very early thirties ! Really thought I would be popping my cloggs sooner rather than later.Then I calmed down and realised that wasnt so Iam twenty odd years on now and still causing havoc albeit more slowly these days, but Iam very much alive and not planning to go anywhere soon .You've come to the right place to learn laugh and listen,its not all doom and gloom,and when we are poorly we have our friends here who understand exactly how we are feeling and they support and help us get through.All will be ok I promise .Really nice meeting you give the blf a call as Kimmy suggested and they are fantastic in answering any questions that you may have.Hope we see more of you soon. Janexx

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the site. If the person you are caring for has middle rate dla or higher then you can claim carers allowance. If you qualify for that you might also get a top up of income support, housing benefit and council tax rebate. x

[Kebabalicious in reply to Hidden]

Hey thanx for advice , I care en mass usually lol 6/32 or 4/32 on nightshirt, feel terrible today just checked oxygen on internet does it help ? cheers everyone

[thomlin]

Hi there ,I will call you Kabab as it,s shorter ha ha ,I have COPD stage 3, if you dont know the stages you will find out when you go to a clinic ,which I hope your Doctor will advise that you do .I am 59 years old now and also only learned that I had this 18 months ago ,it can never be completly cured but you can improve your life ,by exersize and not smoking .Thats most important .NOT SMOKING. 99% of the time thats the cause .I was a heavy smoker and very heavy which doesn,t help ,but now after ,exersize and diet and not Smoking for 18 months I have just been to my clinic for tests and have won back 20% of my lung capacity ,so dont give up ,Kabab get yourself exersizing .Thomlin

[onamission]

Hi and welcome I would say exercise, stop smoking, eat well, have yearly flu jabs and at all cost keep away from people who have the flu.

With regards to benefits I am level 4 COPD and diagnosed 10 years ago I was turned down for DLA & ESA however I do know people who are much more able than me get high rate DLA and care so all I will say on this one is good luck