How to cope

[beeperoni]

I continue to struggle with my diagnosis of stage II COPD. I'm trying to come to terms with it, but find it very difficult. There is no one in my area with COPD under the age 75, I'm 41. So scared about the unknown

[pedantic]

Hi Beeperoni.sorry to hear of your diagnosis.Dont be scared or get anxious.i know rom my own experience that worrying & getting anxious worsens the condition.you are young with a happy future in front of you.if i can put your mind at rest p m. me & i..ll be happy to help.take care xx

[beeperoni in reply to pedantic]

Thank you Pedantic. I just feel so alone and worthless. I was having extreme chest tightness earlier this week and went to the ER. I overheard some of the RNs refer to me as "the COPD one". I felt so low and degraded, especially only having been diagnosed May 22 and not knowing much about this disease.

[ck101 in reply to beeperoni]

That's a tough one to hear, they may however refer to patients like this as a matter of course, the heart one, the diabetic one whatever. Nurses and Doctors de-sensitise to these subtle aspects anyway. Don't feel too bad about this and stay calm.

[ck101]

I can also guarantee you there's a lot more than you with COPD, just count the amount of smokers. They just don't know it yet as most are undiagnosed.

I work in a large open floor office with over 100 staff. 35% smoke, most are hacking throughout the day. It's only a matter of time for some.

[beeperoni in reply to ck101]

I guess it's because I don't know anyone personally with COPD. No one in my family ever had it. Cancer is the disease in my family history, but not lung cancer...and they all smoke

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Please don't worry beeperoni

I was diagnosed 4 years ago with Stage 4 very severe emphysema. I still work at my part time job, drive, go shopping, etc. You'll probably die of old age rather than COPD. I intend to. !

[GradmaP in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

Thank you Puff, I've just been diagnosed with stage 4 COPD and was feeling depressed, that you're still alive and kicking after 4 years has made me feel so much better. X

[Hidden]

I'm stage four and on 24 hour oxygen but still have a full and pretty active life...don't despair...it takes some getting used to and there are days when I'm seriously cross!!

Stick with us on here and you'll be grand...xxxx

[casper99]

It's perfectly normal to feel as you do beep, it's very early days. It took me well over a year to finally be able to say I've come to terms with it. Everybody reaches that stage at different times. If it gets too much, go see your dr and tell him how you feel and he'll give you something to lift your spirits.

It's sort of a grieving process and it will pass, in time. Help it along by getting busy, go for walks, go on the razz with your friends, it worked for me and kept the depressive thoughts at bay.

It will get better and you'll soon be back to doing whatever you were doing before your diagnosis. xx

[beeperoni]

Thanks Casper,

I just hope it's sooner than later. Not a diagnosis anyone wants to hear. I'm trying to remain positive, it's just hard to do it consistently. Hopefully time will change that. I'm glad I found this online forum because it really has helped. I just wish I knew someone personally who is going through what I am...then we could have lunch and exchange feelings/stories.

[Dawn60]

Hi Beeperoni we have a support group at our local hospital. We meet once a month, we have a cup of tea and a chat you can learn a lot from these discussions . They also have a 'singing for breathing', people of all ages go. Your doctor may know of something similar in your area or your local hospital can give you details. It's all about breath control with lots of support. Our group is run by nurses / physiotherapist. . There we be people in your area of your age it's just finding them. I'm in my early fifties.

Hope this helps

[beeperoni]

Thanks Dawns,

There is not much here where I live in the US...more in the bigger cities. It seems as though Europe is way ahead of the US in terms of COPD support and treatment.

[grannybell]

I was diagnosed with COPD in 1997 and I'm still here. Just went onto overnight oxygen last year but still getting out and managing to have a good life. Don't give up, you need to make the best of it. There are worse things.

[Offcut]

When I was in ICU I was known as the "chest drain man" The hardest thing is when they talk and add my age in now. I do not want to be reminded that the body is not the same age as I think I am

I had my first heart procedure in my 30's and I was in the prep ward with 6 others all in there 70's for the same procedure. I try and have a glass half full attitude. If you keep letting get to you it will drag you down. Know your limits and push them but know when to stop.

Be Well