upstairs flat. cant manage anymore.

[natalyab]

hello everyone. I have emphysemia and was diagnosed three years ago. I am 56 years old and on different inhalers etc. To cut a long story short I live in an upstairs flat and just feel like I cant cope anymore. I had one bag of shopping today and only managedc to get halfway upstairs. had to sit down for few minutes gasping for breath. I live in a council flat but they don't seem interested when I told them my situation. does anyone think I should mention it to my doctor as I have my yearly breathing test on Monday. I haven't told my partner or family how bad it is because I don't want them to worry. feeling desperate.x

[broadband1]

have a word with the housing they will help u may need a letter from doctor for a ground floor flat or bungalow good luck

[jimmyg23]

Yes go and explain the situation to your doc and am sure he will write a letter explaining your situation for the housing department

[jojam]

As others have suggested have a word with your doctor. Do you have a respiratory team? have you had Pulmonary Rehabilitation this can improve your ability to manage your condition.

Best wishes

Jo

[Hidden]

Hi if you have a health problem they should take you seriously and put you on the waiting list urgently for a ground floor property. A letter from your doctor/consultant should suffice. x

[grannybell]

Your doctor can help to have you rehoused as a medical priority. You need to be in a ground floor flat or a bungalow. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Louisiana]

Yes yes yes talk to your doctor - ask for a letter - your surgery should be suggesting that you don't do stairs.......I have friends who were housed in a bungalow very very quickly when the husband's doctor explained about his illness. Do go and talk to him.....good luck

[rememdium]

I know someone who had stairs problem in council house and they went to social workers an council installed stanna stairlift at no charge to them removed it after they left property worth a try they may get grants to do it

[kimmy59]

Evening.

Totally agree with all the advice. If you are referred for PR the will assess you before you start the course, to see if you might need oxygen on exertion. I was really upset when I first had to use it, but I wouldn't be without it now there's no point in struggling when you don't have to.

Hope you get sorted.

Kim xxxx

[billl]

hello mate . I did what your doing . hiding it . I found my self short of air . it seemed my sats dropped below 70% and I needed oxygen . because I hid it so long it made things kind of hard for me . so please get yourself down doctors and take partner with you . help and susport makes coping a lot easyer x x

[frose]

I was in your position 18 months ago but went to the homeswapper site and managed to arrange an exchange - best thing I ever did! Why not join the site? It's free!

[katieoxo60]

Definitely mention it to your doctor Natalyab. They maybe able to do you a report for a downstairs flat with the council or local housing association. But have to say with the current social housing shortage you may have to wait a long time to get a move. The other option is register for sheltered if you are old enough. Hope you feel a little better now every best wish

[dukes]

I found myself in exactly the same position about 18 months ago, It was taking an hour to get the shopping from the car and into the fridge/freezer. Now Tesco deliver right to the door of my flat (inside if you prefer).

If you choose the right time and day it is only £1.00 and saves a whole lot of puffing and blowing !

[Colours23]

Yes ,get the council to give you a bungalow....woman's rights...speak out and to your family they will understand ,I know what the suffering is like when you can't breathe.

[natalyab]

cant believe all the responses I have recieved. Thank you everyone for your kindness and the good advice. At doctors tomorrow I will go to the council from there. keep you all informed. First time in months I have felt someone cares.xxx

[helingmic]

Get in touch with your doctor, perhaps to give you a certificate (if it's free, I don't know) make a photocopy of it and get in tocuh with your Housing and show them the note from your doctor. It might take some time to rehouse you, though. Worth a try. Would you consider sheltered accommodation? You can always ask at the council about it without committing yourself.

[Hidden]

Good Morning! Don't be on your own with this one. Yes please tell your doctor. Please ring the BLF helpline for their advise. Please ask your doctor if you have a specialist respiratory team in your area and if so ask for a referral. They are very good at helping. In our area they run a pulmonary rehab course which saved my husbands life! I know that sounds a bit over the top but it really helped him to manage COPD rather than the other way round.

One of the problems with COPD is that it is difficult to "see" - the number of people who tell my husband how well he is! He has severe COPD now - hes great until he moves!!! The one thing I have learned over the years is that you have to be quite proactive in your own management of this illness. There are things that can help but our doctors have also just left us to it. And I personally think that because it is a chronic condition there is an assumption you are doing OK if you dont go to the doctors much! And equally then the patients assume there is little to be done. In reality there is a lot can be done to help you including perhaps different medication.

I would imagine once you get your health team more involved the housing people maybe more receptive. Lots of luck and please dont struggle, ask for help. Love TAD xx