copd

[zoewashere]

Just been diagnosed,fed up but not suprised after smoking since 18,now 59 should have taken notice of my poor Mother who also had COPD and on Nebulisers for years .

[Karen2]

Hi and welcome, this is the place to come for support from people who really understand the ups and down of living with copd. I don't post often and have only recently been diagnosed so completely understand the fed up biT but it does get easier to deal I promise.

Take care and welcome again

[MightyS in reply to Karen2]

The condition can be managed. If you no longer smoke try brisk walking everyday for about 30 minutes and you will feel much stronger inside after about a month or so!

[aberdeenman]

hi although ive know for a couple of years ive had copd it was only lately 8th December I found out had bad I was.when I had my first appointment at reparatory clinic. where they told me I had very severe copd where my lungs are only holding 18% air that they should be. im same ive smoked since 13 and now 55 and my mother also had copd. I still work but it is a struggle. because time of year ive not had a chance to discuss with my gp but been up and down there getting blood tests to get dosage right of new pills hospital put me on. im waiting to go on pulmonary rehab I didn't know what that was but I have learnt from people on here. I have now stopped smoking been trying for years although I did have a blip on hogmanny. but you do get a lot of help and support from people on here and there is always someone who could answer any question you have. tam

[Nanny1086 in reply to aberdeenman]

The best advise I would give anyone like me with copd,( I'm 69 ) diagnosed in 1992. Is STOP SMOKING, when you get on the rehab class you will feel lots better ,they are brilliant in my area ( STAFFORDSHIRE ) and without them ,,,,I know I would not be here to write this, not only is it an 8 week exercise class ,with also lots of imformation and advise ,they follow up and keep intouch ,they have chosen to specialise in copd ,so they don't get all embarsesd etc when you start coughing and spluttering ,the exersiise helps move the rubbish up your lungs ( spit into tissues ) ,it's better up and out than lying in a puddle in the base of your lungs where bacteria love to live and breed infections,push hard to get on the rehab course,,,,,you won't regret it , I wish you well ,good luck

[Hidden]

Hi Zoe, please don't look back, 'though i know its not easy. Life with COPD is different, but there is still so much we CAN do. I was diagnosed about 8 yrs ago, stage 4, and life is just as rich as it was then. Remember we will not die of COPD, but with it. Try to keep your glass half full!! You will get loads of help, tips and humour on this amazing site, so do keep posting, however trivial it may seem to you. With love Kin Xx

[Nanny1086 in reply to Hidden]

Well said ,couldn't agree more,

[bikergrove]

I have been diagnosed since last June so i know how you feel,you have come to the right place for support and advise.x

[katieoxo60]

Hi Zoeswashere, welcome to the site, the most important thing you can do is give up cigarettes if possible. Then its about finding what's best for control of your symptoms to manage your future life with the illness. One big hurdle is to accept you can't change the COPD , but it can be managed. I gave up smoking in 2005 and was diagnosed in 2008 initially so understand those feelings. For me it was relief to be diagnosed as I knew something was not right but the doctors seemed to think I was OK or something else!!! You will find lots on here who can help you through down times and difficult times. You probably know a lot about COPD if your mum had it, but lots of new approaches are made now and many new drugs are about. Hope to see a lot of you on the site in future .

[kenseven]

Welcome to here where everyone is friendly and helpful. We all know we should have listened then but we are paying the price for it now. My son and daughter see me at the worst of times and then nip outside for a smoke. If I had the energy I would crack their heads together.

Follow what your doc advises and it thats no good the info in here is sometimes better and spoke by people who know what they are talking about. Good luck Zoe x

[Nanny1086 in reply to kenseven]

I think schools should invite people like you and me into there schools, to let the children see the out come of smoking, not only does it affect yourself but also your family ,,,,and the restrictions it puts on you and your loved ones, I have now been told that even with supplementary oxygen on board flight I can no longer travel by air, even though I have never had to use home oxygen,something I work hard at every day to avoid, I'm 69 and gave up smoking in 1992 ,the worst desission I took in life was to start ,the best desission was to stop, and not feel sorry for myself, then to get off my butt and go to the gym twice a week and do as much as I can and enjoy ,

[Offcut]

Welcome. Do not use the Doctor Google search as it will turn you into a gibbering idiot. If you can get your head around unpronounceable names look at medical research sites, NHS has some good info now.

GIVE UP SMOKING!

Be well

[Nanny1086]

I'm the same ( except for the mother being Ill) ,I'm 69 ,and started smoking at age 15 ,gave up on and off over the years for a few months ,,,,then a couple of times for a year or so, then I was blue lighted into hospital with pneumonia ,,,,consultant said ,,,,do you smoke,,,,yes I replied ,,,,to which he said,,,,wrong answer ,,,the next one will kill you ,that was in November 1992 ,,,,,I never had another one, that was the best advise given to me ,,,and taken by me,,,,,,sadly damage was all ready done to my lungs, all doctors said that the best thing I could do to help my condition was to STOP SMOKING, yes I have chronic Bronchietis ,asthma ,emphasyma ,and copd, but I manage to go to the gym twice a week under the care of the copd specialist nurses, and when I'm well I can manage ,,,2 mile on the tread mill, 3 mile on the bike, and 1000 meters on the rower, ,,,,sometimes I don't manage it all ,but I try, if you can get a referral to the copd specialist nurses rehabilitation to excersize you will see a big difference in how you manage your health problems, good luck ,

[Dedalus]

I see you are using Vitamin A capsules - are these a special form of vitamin A (i.e. retinoic acid)? If so, from where do you get them? Thank you.

[Lapley]

I would like to know which ones your wife takes as well? Also where do you buy them from. Thanks You.

[Dedalus]

I think I sent this to Zoe, instead of you:-

I see you are using Vitamin A capsules - are these a special form of vitamin A (i.e. retinoic acid)? If so, from where do you get them?

Thank you.

[onamission]

Welcome to the site I'm sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with COPD.

My mom had COPD I worked for the NHS and smoked how stupid was I but I gave up with the help of champix started to swim not able to exercise on land due to collapsed discs.

Now I have got my head around COPD and due to start a PR course at my local hospital and now I feel more in control I still have days where I feel I don't want to get out of bed I also found this site that has been a great help to me

[jayspurs]

Hello,

please be very careful about the advice you give on the forum. Vitamin A taken as a supplement can increase the risk of lung cancer, which people with copd myself included are more susceptible too because of the disease. Vitamin A is produced in the liver and an overload of this can effect the liver in a negative way. The trial that you speak about has only worked in rodents and has never been tried or trialed on humans. I am not disputing the fact it has helped your wife. I am just concerned if the danger and risk as taking it as a supplement. I would advise to eat foods with high vitamin A content such as carrots, liver, mango etc as a better alternative until science has clarified that this is suitable for humans without major risks associated as highlighted above. Don't want to upset anyone its just my opinion from months of reading academic papers on COPD. All the best Justin