Thankyou for all who answered my last post. Very helpful
Now this is easy. Last June 2016 Lung capacity 50%. December 2016
45%. Today 39%. I do not drink and I do not smoke [since March 2016], I go for long walks, but this year, I keep getting cold after cold. Is there any suggestions as to how to increase my lung capacity, if only a little bit. Very depressed tonight
geting cold after cold can not be helping your breathing. theres always a reason why people keep getting colds.
are eating healthy foods with enough vitmims and minrals. some people find that there emmune system has been effected becouse of there illness. have you had the flu jab!
the tests that your doing, are they home tests or in a clinic...these tests can very on the numbers depending on time of day you had them done.and how you was feeling at that time.
exerciseing your lungs is the only way i know that will help to improve them. there are many ways you can do that but you have to do it on a regular basis. walking ,swimming, keeping active gardening, house cleaning. and look up on Youtube for breathing exercises as they are very important.
depression has a way of digging a deep hole that some people never can get out of. so that has to stop.. do think you can do that by yourself, or do you think you need help with it.
take care, good luck and keep in touch with us. ☺
Hi,
"Very depressed tonight" & "cold after cold" ... I was at the GP's (and very good he was!) yesterday regarding my mental health of late. "I see you have been taking rather a lot of steroids for the infections and they do nothing to help your moods" was his comment. Just a thought ... how about asking your same questions of the GP?
I do think the GP can unlock the Pandora's box of avoiding infections.Have you attended PR and agreed an action plan for when to start taking emergency meds as delays in starting them can impact lung function (so I'm told)?
As I understand, COPD won't get better so all we can do is slow down the rate at which it gets worse. As ub40 says, identify why you are getting the infections: lots of close contact with kids (germ factories!), lacking on certain vitamins/minerals or too many visits to the shops? Infections aren't just in the air waiting to attack, we have to (to a degree) let them in by how we live.
Whatever you decide I hope you start to see signs of improving health.
Best wishes
I had to give up my job as s teacher of young people with learning difficulties because of the infection risk such a job has. I was having several major exacerbations a year triggered by colds and infections. 3 years on and I have only been ill once. Major lifestyle change helps as living in mountains in France mostly now.
My children understand that I adore my grandchildren but if they are ill I am warned and keep away.
Good luck
I work in FE and after a year of constant infections and antibiotics I'm seriously thinking of giving up. Was going to reduce to three days but reading your post has made me think. Love my job but more lovely to hear how healthy you have been - long may it continue 
living in mountains in France mostly now - now that's a good idea for us all!
Mmmm, have you had your Vitamin D levels done at all ? Regular Vitamin D supplements and or getting out into the sunshine regularly can make a big difference to our immune levels.
If you haven't been on a PR course (pulmonary rehab), ask to be referred for one. They are so beneficial.
I have pulmonary rehab via Gp.
Physios engage in several week course to build up best lung capacity.
Now attend once weekly and have home lung exercises to repair and get best function possible.
In group of 5 - 10 with physio.
Chance to swop tips with others in similar situation too.
To get a real fev1 result you do need to be sure it is a typical 'day' and not a bad one. May be worth trying to get a sequence done?
newly diagnosed with copd
Misdiagnosed with COPD
Dysfunctional breathing.
Recently diagnosed Asthma & COPD overlap…. Struggling with anxiety 
Helping to Raise COPD Awareness.
