My first post.

[Paul5757]

I've been reading posts for a few weeks, and I hope I know what I'm doing. I'm not too familiar with computing so hope for the. best, prepare for problems.

I was diagnosed with emphesima nine months ago and sent home from RUH, Bath to my rented one bed flat where an oxygen machine had been installed and set to 1. Don't know what the units are.

A doctor at the hospital told me I would be ok until I got an infection which would be very bad news. The posts I've read on here seem to disagree with that. Could It .be because of my age which is 84?

I have to wear a catheter and bag on my leg. Is that because of the emphysema? Otherwise no real discomfort just tired (sleepy and physically) all the time.

I'm glad I found this site and look forward to joining in.

[Spiritual1]

Welcome Paul 👍

I'm relatively new here myself, diagnosed February. COPD, I have my first appointment next month with the respiratory consultant.

I can't answer your questions but there are a lot of lovely people on here who are more experienced in this field than I.

You've done the right thing by joining Paul, you'll never be alone and everyone will help you along the way 😁 with anything,  they have with me!

So get chatting we don't bite..

Take care, looking forward to reading your post's..

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Lynne x 🌹 x 

[tbeth]

Welcome! I don't know anything about emphysema or oxygen but somebody else will be able to help you. People are very kind and supportive on this forum.

[Hidden]

Hi Paul nice to meet you and welcome.   It sounds like you have been given very little advice and help by the medical profession and this is not acceptable.   Can you contact your doctor or a respiratory nurse for more help?

If you ring the BLF on the number under the red balloon at the top you can speak to a nurse who should be able to help.  They keep normal office hours 9-5 Monday to Friday.    They can also send you out loads of bumph.  Also if you look further on the site you will see lots of info about oxygen. 

You might want to lock your posts as well to ensure they stay within the site only (and all the replies)  instead of anywhere on the internet.  To do this you need to amend it.  If you click on the v arrow options come up.  Click on the edit one,   click on community only,  then click on edit response and it will resubmit it.    It is locked when a little padlock shows next to it.  Ok?  x

[Titchy52]

Paul5757  welcome to the site you don't mention copd and I thought you had emps through having it that's what I was told why I had emps also asthma the people on this site are amazing they give you hope and make you laugh best wishes x

[Nottobad]

Hi Paul welcome to the site. I think it is disgusting the way you have been left to fend for yourself. I agree with coughalot get in touch with your GP and ask for some help. I don't know much about oxygen or emphysema so I can't help you there. Do you have a family who can help you. Take care and please get some help X 

[hufferpuffer]

Hello Paul, very nice to meet you. I have emphysema too it is a slow disease and I don't think it will be connected to your catheter in any way.

I do believe you should receive a visit from your district nurse and your local doctors surgery should have you on the list for a visit from her. Please phone them to arrange a convenient time or you could ask the Respiratory nurse who deals with your oxygen needs to arrange a home visit. huff xxx

[kimmy59]

Welcome to the forum.

I use oxygen myself it does make things much easier. I do hope your getting al the help you need. Your area probably has a respiratory nurses. 

Kim xx

[y_not]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the site - loads of people here able to help you, I'm not (currently) using oxygen but I'm sure others will be able to advise - what I can suggest is make an appointment and ask the doctor all the questions you can think of (write them down before your visit, they should/must give you the information you need/deserve

Best wishes

[Billiejean_2]

Hi Paul, lovely to se you on here and hope you stick around for the fun and the support. It's amazing how helpful being part of an online support group like this is. 

[diesel12]

Hi and welcome, I'm a recent joiner too but the folks on here are knowledgeable and really supportive so make yourself at home xx

[Tee1008]

Hello Paul.  Welcome to the forum and nice to meet you.

Tee x

[Dedalus]

Welcome to the group Paul - I agree with y_not that you should make an appointment with your GP & ask all of your questions. Take care

[juzwundering]

Hello Paul, this is the place to be!  If you need support, information and sometimes just cheered up...at least you will now know others that are going through the same sort of things.

I found that friends and family didn't understand, but here we've all struggled with the same issues.  In the beginning it was all so shocking to deal with, but after talking with others here it has gotten easier.

take care of yourself,

Gail

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hello Paul,like everybody's said, this is a brilliant site,with brilliant people who will give you their honest opinions and they have a wealth of information on all sorts of things. Don't be afraid to ask anything- sometimes it doesn't even have to be about our illnesses. Welcome.

[FarmerD]

Panic is part of our condition,if we need the loo we sometimes panic a bit. This can make breathing more difficult hence the bag.A nurse should explain all this when they visit.If you,re fit enough ask to go to Pulmonary Rehab course light exercise and lots of information,ask GP..best of luck.David.

[FarmerD]

Hi again Paul, I should have said,I have very severe emphysema Fev1 of 20%  on full medications but not oxygen,feel free to ask anything you want.David.

[fcag2001]

just stay happy and enjoy being alive. try and get a daily walk even a short one. great company on this site. Good luck.