Copd

Hi,

hello,

What is copd I said...

Doctor worte it down for me.

That was just 3 months ago.

Come on surely my life story has to be one of saddest in the world.

It is to me.

[Magpuss]

You have a life story. My baby brother died when he was eight months old and my elder brother died when he was twenty two. I'm seventysix now and although my life story may not be all sunshine and roses I'm grateful for the fact that I'm still here.

[Hidden in reply to Magpuss]

Am 63 and I guess am still in shock. . And still feel sorry for myself.

[Mandy6513]

Im 50 and need a double lung transplant...........no point feeling sorry for myself it just makes me miserable........there is always someone in a worse position

[Hidden in reply to Mandy6513]

I know. ...I had think before I could reply.

I wish you well...am sure you have family that love you.

Kind regards.

[Mandy6513 in reply to Hidden]

Its ok........its take me almost 2 years to even accept how ill i am........its not easy but there are a lot of people o here who know exactly how you feel.

Welcome to the forum x

[Hidden in reply to Mandy6513]

Time to get the boys to eat shower and bed....school in the morning.

It feels good to talk and thank you all for the time you take to talk to me.

[Toci]

It hits like a bombshell doesn't it? But it is not a death sentence. Find out as much as you can, from reputable sources, then take steps to maximize your health such as stopping smoking, eating healthily and taking regular exercise. Those are your first steps. Good luck.

[Hungryhorse63]

Get on a Pulmonary Rehab course and they will show you how to breathe properly, get cardiovascular fit and carry on with life as you did before.

It worked for me and I'm 63 and RUNNING.

Get rid of your depression and get out there xxHH

[Hidden]

Hi I know it's an awful shock to be diagnosed with a chronic illness like copd. But it is not the end of the world - far from it. What is important is how you feel. Do you know your lung function? And what stage you are at? I was diagnosed mild at age 55 6 years ago and am still mild. My doctor told me not to worry about it as something else would get me first like old age! Like Toci said living a healthy lifestyle is very important in controlling it. x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am not 100% sure.

First I was told I had about 50% lung capacity. .. I wasn't happy and went to another hospital..They told me that I was below 50%.....I STOPPED SMOKING THAT DAY.

I was smoking 40 a day but have not even looked at one for me that day.

I had more tests 3 Weeks and was told that I had improved and that now I was 70%.

sorry so long.

I am living in Thailand and I wish I could come back to England.

[Toci in reply to Hidden]

Your improved readings are likely due to stopping smoking. Well done! Look on it as a warning. I was not diagnosed until my lung capacity was 22% and THAT came as a shock because, like you, I had never heard of COPD. Try not to panic. Once you have all the facts you can start to make improvements and with a lung capacity of 70% will probably die of something else entirely!

[Hidden in reply to Toci]

I have 4 and 6 year old son's...... they only have me....

In my dreams it was when my eldest was about 20.

I was happy with that.

I will do as always my very best.

You are right I have to learn.

[Mandy6513 in reply to Hidden]

Young children to take care of at 63 will keep you active

[Hidden in reply to Mandy6513]

Yes and it was wonderful and a beautiful life...

Sorry I'm just laying next to them dreaming again.

It's 9pm now and they sleep good.

[Azure_Sky]

COPD is not a death sentence, many of us live for years after being diagnosed. I agree that it is a bombshell at first. You have come to the right place for support and answers to your questions. I am sure I have seen people from Thailand on here before.

[Hidden in reply to Azure_Sky]

Thank you for your message this the first time in 3 months that I don't feel alone.

[Magpuss]

I'm new to this site, I was diagnosed with COPD last week - the day after my 76th birthday. I was surprised by my diagnosis because in 2012 I had a very thorough pre op assessment (I had an op for cancer of the oesophagus) and there was no mention of any lung problems at that time - and I stopped smoking 9 years ago, the year after I lost my husband, so I felt rather confused.

I was so surprised by my diagnosis that I couldn't really think what to ask the doc, but when I got home I decided to turn to the Health Unlocked site to find out a little more from people who have COPD. From reading various posts I realise that my symptoms - tiredness/breathlessness and dizzy spells are really quite mild but I'm interested in keeping them that way, so hope to pick up all sorts of useful information and advice.

Wedderburn, until I read you post I'd just been reading other people's posts without commenting but I really wanted to try and turn your thinking around, and put you back in control of your feelings. You have two beautiful little boys, I'm sure they must make you feel proud, and you should be proud of yourself for giving up smoking, so don't give in to the heeby jeebys.

[Hidden in reply to Magpuss]

Sorry misspelled your name

[Hidden]

Dear Magpies,

Thank you for your very kind letter.

I read it over and over. I'm one of people that never had a school education. .. so it can be quite an effort to put in writing what you feel.

Your words made me remember someone I lost 11 years ago.

Wow...I really did go down hill.

I think it's been about an hour since I started writing to you.

I have to take a sleeping pill now....

sometimes I need it.

I promise you we will be fine.

Thanks again for your kind letter.

[Magpuss]

Yes it's a very hard climb back when you go down that far, and it takes a long time to stop sliding back again every time things start to go wrong but it seems to me that for someone who didn't have an education........ you're doing pretty well, so the effort is definitely worth its.

[Magpuss]

Sorry - I hadn't quite finished but I accidentally clicked on the submit button.

I just wanted to say thank you for your kind reply and to wish you the best of luck from now on.

[moodygirl]

I've had bronchiectasis (the jury's out on whether or not it's COPD) for most of my 64 years.

Apart from the hugely embarrassing chesty cough, when I was younger the time off school with chest infections, the countless courses of antibiotics and recently pseudomonas hanging over me, the constant fatigue, I've lead a very full life.

I have two 'children' and four grandchildren. I worked full-time. Since retiring I play golf - weather permitting - at least two times a week. And six years ago I met a lovely 'young' man who I now live with.

Life is ok. I won't be giving in without a fight!

Look after yourself, eat healthy, exercise as much as you can, and try not to let it get you down.

[Hidden in reply to moodygirl]

Thanks for your comments moody girl.

Talking with you all has helped me tremendously.

I really do feel like I did before copd.

I'm going to get on fixing up our house again... Make it into the home that I was dreaming about.

[Nikkers]

COPD is an umbrella term for several lung diseases. From the sound of it I would guess you have Emphysema? No worries Wedderburn, all of us on here have one (and sometimes more) or other form of it.

Just carry on as normal as you can, it's not a death sentence and can be managed. There's always someone on here to chat to.

Lovely boys by the way! XX

[Hidden in reply to Nikkers]

Thank you for taking time to write to me Nikkers.

Yes you are right and it come with it's friend big c bronco.

Not fair really. .. and I can't even use my right arm (need opp).

Yes they are beautiful. ..and I will stay with them for as long as it takes. 😓 x

[Nikkers]

You have there 2 of the best reasons in the world to stay strong wedderburn.

Try not to make your COPD your main concentration. It won't change it, it'll only make you worry and imagine all kinds of weird things. Stay strong for those lovely boys, they'll know if you're fretting and they don't need that. XX