New to this site and just want to say hello

[Ksb6420]

Hi everyone..my name is Karen and I am from Ohio in the United States. I also have COPD and it's been 14 years since I found out. It had got worse and I am now between moderate and severe. I use a nebulizer 3 times a day using 2 different types of medicatons...I also use oxygen at night and when needed during the day.

I have been reading the posts and the replys and thought this would be a good site to join. I believe that the people that I love don't always understand what I am going through and it would be nice to talk to others who do!

I look forward to reading more and will reply if I can help.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

[mrsmummy]

Hello Ksb6420 and welcome to the community.

[sassy59]

Welcome Ksb, good to meet you. I am carer for my husband Pete and find this site very supportive so you have come to the right place. Xxxxx

[Pam1952]

Hello Karen, and welcome. It's lovely to meet you. XXX

[Ef0lumps4]

Hi Karen

Welcome to the site, I find the forum to be quite a comfort as you say our loved ones don't always understand us fully I find it a comfort to chat to people who I know are going through the same as myself. Lots of good friendly banter and sound advice when needed. 🙂

[Hidden]

G'day Karen...sorry you needed to find us but glad you did...welcome to the "Family"...sometimes we laugh,..other times we shed a tear...but we are here for each other 24/7

[Dedalus]

Welcome to the site Ksb. You'll find great info and help on here.

[luannpeterson]

Hi Karen, It's nice to meet you. I'm also very new to this site. I've recently been diagnosed with severe emphysema. This came as quite a shock. I'm 52 years old. I assumed I needed to quit smoking (after 38 years) but really didn't see that diagnosis coming (spoken like a true nicotine addict). Anyway, I don't have the knowledge and experience as do many on this site, but I can tell you've come to the right place! I have received a very warm welcome, great support, and many of my questions have been answered. I feel blessed to have found this support group. Good luck to you. Hopefully we will be chatting for many, many years to come.

[Ksb6420]

Hi luannpeterson,

I have been dealing with this for years, and no I didn't stop smoking right away. My father had it and I also have a sister and brother who also deals with emphysema so I have more experience then I want. In the last year it has got worse. I am on oxygen at night and use it only in the day it I need it. Finally got a portable oxygen unit, if I want to go somewhere and have to walk for awhile I have to use it. Thank you for taking the time to reply it is great having someone to talk to. I think this site is wonderful for everyone!

[sharonheadley59]

Hi Karen, I too am from Ohio. My primary car dr has been saying I have COPD. No real tests from him just going on the chest xrays from when I had pneumonia. I use Symbicort inhaler twice a day & Proair for a rescue inhaler. The las two rescue ones did not work. They are so expensive & when I called Express Scripts they said they couldnt do anything about it. Also did see a lung specialist on 5/2 & he said my wheezing & difficulty is from acid reflux. I find it hard to believe because I have not been bothered with heartburn for many years. I go back in the 30th for results of xray & breathing test he ordered. I called his office & the gal that i talked to was kinda rude. Said well you have an appointment coming up. He will give you the results when you come in. My biggest problem is I CANT GET ENOUGH AIR TO BREATHE ! I had to go to my pain dr today & it was horrible trying to breathe after walking in then getting called to go to the room down the hall. Right away the gal started asking questions & waiting for a answer when she could clearly hear & see me having a hard time trying to breathe. Wouldnt think anyone working in the medical field would be so clueless. I really wanted to just punch her out. My pain level was beyond 10 in my shoulders, back, hips & neck. All from the Arthritis. My nebulizer I use three times a day. I mostly use Albuterol Sulfate but I also have Ipratropium Bromide for it. That one is nasty. Makes my mouth & lips stay bitter the entire day & into the night too. I think I need oxygen too & so dors my dr but needed to see the lung dr first before he could prescribe it because of the Ins. Co. II am glad to know someone from the USA.. Where abouts are you from. I live in Lorain Ohio & I am 77. I hope you are having a good day today .Take care. Hugs

[Ksb6420 in reply to sharonheadley59]

Hi Sharon..I use the same medication you do in my nebulizer which I use 3 times a day, 4 when I am having a bad day. I am on oxygen, starting using it for night time only but now need it if I go shopping or go for walks with my granddaughters. I believe you should be seeing a pulmonary doctor, they know more then a family doctor. You should probably also have a ct scan, they show more then a xray ..more then we want to know! I have a good doctor but there are times when I want to kill him too! lol Please let me know what you find out about your test.

[Hidden]

For the most part our families want us to take pills and get better, however copd is for the most part slow yet progressive. People don’t do slow......This is a very informative site!