Copd

[Mjerrycat]

My husband was admitted to a hospital and after two weeks of the same test over and over was diagnosed with heart problem. Had open heart surgery and is home on oxygen. Now all of a sudden they told him he has copd. Never had breathing problems before this. Could copd come on suddenly

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

No unfortunately COPD is a progressive illness, but once he is fully recovered from heart surgery ask your GP or nurse about a little light exercise, I am sure they will advise you. I hope your husband recovers very soon and is ok. Please let us know how he is doing. Take care 😊 xx Bernadette

[joyce74]

Hope your husband makes a good recovery from the surgery. Joyce

[Ergendl]

Our bodies are very good at accommodating disease processes, so that we don't know something is wrong until it is seriously wrong. Your husband could have had COPD for some time but not known about it until he ended up in hospital, Mjerrycat.

My moderate COPD wasn't diagnosed until I went to the top of Mount Teide in Tenerife and had unexpected difficulty in breathing at 3500 metres. If I hadn't taken the cable car to the top of the mountain, I might still not know that there was something wrong.

[sassy59]

Morning Mjerrycat, as Damon says, COPD is progressive so your husband may not have really noticed any breathlessness or it was put down to his heart problems. I hope he gets all the help he needs and makes a good recovery.

Take care xxxxxx

[Caspiana]

Hello Mjerrycat . I'm really sorry about what's happened to your husband. I can only imagine how very worrying this must be for the both of you. When you next see your health team, do go armed with all the questions you need answered. Sometimes they can't answer every question because they don't always have all the answers plus no two cases are ever exactly the same. I hope your husband gets better very soon.

Thinking of you both.

Cas xx 🍀

[casper99]

GI Mjerrycat and welcome. COPD usually comes over many years of smoking, although, some people have it, that never smoked at all.

I'm sorry he has been diagnosed with it but, it's early days yet and when he recovers from his surgery and knows more about the stage of his COPD, he can start making lifestyle changes that will help slow down progression and get a bit fitter.

Keep popping on here as there is a lot of knowledge between members and you'll also get the support you need, over the coming weeks. xx

[Offcut]

One of the biggest issues with heart and lung problems they very often are thought to be the heart first and the lungs second. Usually based on simple tests like the peak flow and sat meter on the finger. I have both conditions and that throws up a lot of conflict between my different consultants.

I would ask for another spirometry test/lung function To get a true reading once he has got over his surgery. Also ask them for a Pulmonary Rehab course they are a great way of controlling and improving breathing and techniques?

Be Well

[Six1]

@Mjerrycat I was diagnosed in 2014 with copd didn't know nothing about it stage 4 AYear later will sacodosis no cure buying Know got it don't no. Where it came from yeah on ,24,hr oxygen