Confused

[Suz1111]

Hi

I'm new here, I'm 46 yo female diagnosed with COPD 4 years ago

And recently having lots of bronchitis and blood so I'm off for a Ct scan

My parents died young from smoke related diseases & I swore I'd give up but never did

And never tried until now it's scared me that much without air.. I have multiple other medical condition also

I just want some form of quality in my life... S

[Suz1111]

And I'm new to here, I'm just looking for information about COPD and other ppls experience

And what I may expect in future etc

If that's ok to ask ?

S

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Your quality of life is what you make it, don't give in to the disease, eat healthy exercise and stay positive. It can be really hard at times but don't ever give up. We all support eachother and are always willing to listen no matter what. We are all in the same boat so someone always understands how you feel which is nice. Keep posting love Bernadette 😳 xxx

[stone-UK]

Hi

Smoking is the one to give, if you are struggling try nicotine based e-cigs.

Ask can you be referred to a pulmonary rehablitation class, two hour twice weekly for six weeks. One hour exercise and one hour education, well worth it. You gain valuable experience on how to deal with the condition.

[mrsmummy]

Hi Suz1111 and welcome to the forum.

[Phil40]

Hi, I care for my Mum who is living with COPD.

What I wish I had done a long time ago is exactly what you are doing; learn about what you are dealing with and the best ways you can look after yourself and keep well.

I have found the NICE guidelines on line, which is what the medical profession is supposed to work to, really useful because then you know what you should be receiving care wise.

It has taken me a year of harassing GP's; Nurses; chemists; specialists to get everything in place my Mum and everyone else should have.

The NHS Charter on line is worth reading too; that states how patients should be treated and why. The Charter is your rights; read it so if or when (hopefully never) the GP or whoever in front of you talks to you like you are a moron or an inconvenience you know that it's them that is not right ; they are wrong and no one should be left feeling confused, scared, unheard or uncared for.

But maybe it's just me that brings that out in them. Although reading the posts here I don't think so.

The NICE guidelines state that educating patients and carers about COPD and what to do is one of the most important things that should be done.

So ask away; learn all you can and look after yourself. Try not to focus on the negative stuff because it's not necessarily like that; the thing about COPD is that everyone is different; no one test will tell you what will happen and it is indeed about quality of life in the here and now because let's face it; with Trump as president and North Korea picking a fight, to name but one threat to our health, what more can we do?

Tomorrow I am taking Mum to lunch with my daughter, my daughters sons and my wife and my crazy collie because today she is ok and will be tomorrow. She will sit and watch her granddaughter and great grandsons and smile and that is what it's about I reckon. Because we have today and that's about it.

Have a good weekend and welcome, I hope that all sounded ok, didn't mean to go off on one!

Phil