New to COPD, very scared :(

[Ishard]

Hello all, after having pneumonia for 6 weeks (3 lots of ab, 3 lots of Prednisilone) it seems I have been left with COPD. What do I do to help myself ie exercise, vitamins etc? I am 58

[Hidden]

Hi Ishard nice to meet you and welcome to the site. I don't think pneumonia can be the cause of COPD as this is usually the result of long term damage over many years. You don't say very much so it is hard to advise you. Have you seen anyone about your copd? Have you an appointment? Are you on any meds? Do you know your lung function?

The best way to stay as healthy as possible is to give up smoking (if you do), exercise, eat healthily and take your meds. x

[Ishard in reply to Hidden]

Sorry for the lack of information.

I was a smoker for many years but gave up 4 years ago after a mass was found (X-ray thenMRI) in the lower lobe of my right lung which turned out to be infection.

After that was cleared I was then given a test for COPD and was told I didn't have it (4 years ago)

I have remained healthy since then until just recently when I have had pneumonia.

I have been passed to the asthma nurse and after spirometer testing she isnt sure whether I have asthma or COPD, however with the mucus being produced it is more like COPD.

I did wonder whether it was farmer lung as I own a farm and am often around mould spores in hay when feeding the animals.

Whatever it is, it is a obstructive disease.

I have just been given Beclometasone dipropionate and salbutamol

[JuneCov in reply to Ishard]

H Ishard I would suggest you ask for urgent refferal from GP to a Chest clinic , wouldn't be happy with my Asthma nurse duagnosing me With COPD you have a mixed history of potential triggers, so I would recommend you need specislist advice. All the best

[Hidden in reply to Ishard]

I would agree with June.

[victoriablue in reply to Ishard]

Hi you have been given all the right advice but i was told for many years it was Asthma and it turns out it is COPD Don't be frightened as with the right medication and diagnoses you should lead a near normal life. I am 69 now and had it for 35 years looking forward to the next 35 years But ask for a referral to a chest clinic and get the proper diagnoses.

Good luck chin up

[Hidden in reply to victoriablue]

Wow in 35 years you will be 104 x

[victoriablue in reply to Hidden]

Lol I can live on hope. Happy New Year coughalot x

[Hidden]

I do too. It can be hard to distinguish between asthma and copd but the acid test is if you are tested before you take your inhalers and then again after (spirometry test) if you have asthma you will return to normal. If you have copd because the damage is irreversible you won't. In other words your lung function with asthma and taking the meds should put you over the limit for copd ie over 80% of predicted lung function compared to others of your age, weight etc. If you have copd it will be below this figure of 80%. It sounds like you are borderline which is why they are not sure. If so you don't need to worry that much. When I was diagnosed around 5 years ago with mild copd at the age of 55 I was told by the doctor that something else will kill me first before copd does It doesn't generally progress very quickly if you look after yourself and you can hold it stable for many years.

While it is irreversible you wouldn't really be in trouble unless your lung function drops

below around 50% though there are many on here less than that who still work and lead a full (albeit slower) and active life. At a normal rate of decline you will be around 100 years old before you would reach that stage x

[Ishard in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I was thinking that I would only live maybe another 2 years!!! I will ask to be referred to a chest specialist. I am due to go back in March to see if the steroid inhaler has calmed my lungs down.