Hi all, one week in after my COPD diagnosis and i can honestly say im having it rough, Im having constant chest pains, phlegm that just wont shift (no actual cough, just clearing of the throat constantly), cant get out of bed without being breathless. Dr originally said mild to moderate but never saw anyone else after that, just got discharged with 2 inhalers and some steroids. I got my follow up appointment in the post but that isnt until 25th january.
I had to return to my GP as i had no appetite at all and they have given me a bag load of Ensure plus, took 3 chemists to actually find any in stock but my local asda chemist rang around for me, really great customer service and a huge thumbs up. Ive been having one of these for breakfast with a cereal bar and one for tea with some cooked meats and to be fair i felt a lot better in my self.
But, i only feel myself first thing in the morning when i wake up from my 5 hours sleep, im used to having 8 - 10 easily. I really want to get back to work, i know sitting around isnt helping my cause, and ive travelled out a couple of times when someone has offered to pick me some bits up, even 20 mins waiting in the drs surgery with the ex was a huge breath of fresh air.
Guess that was just a little moan, any advice on where to go from here until my follow up appointment will be greatfully received, even posting your own moans so i dont feel so bad lol
thanks for reading anyhow
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keith9876
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You have to be patient when you get COPD, especially when you have been newly diagnosed. You have been given lots of advice and if you follow it you WILL start feeling much better. In time you become an expert in dealing with your particular brand of COPD when it flares up, but the first time is the worst. I wrote the following a while back.
Hi Keith, it's very hard to get your head round everything related to copd with bronchiectasis. To get so wheezy and it's hard to get rid of it on your chest. My doctor is really good and has recently put me on Carbocisteine capsules and I find them really good. Stay warm as well now.
Hard for you to believe, it was for me, but things will settle down. It takes a few weeks for your long acting inhaler to build up in your system.
I was the same as you running around like a blue-arsed fly and in a matter of a couple of months with an infection, was diagnosed with severe copd. It left me with the ability to walk just 35 yards and it took 20 mins to climb the 3 flights of stairs to our flat with many stops to catch my breath. That was 18 months ago, today I still work full-time, I can walk 5 miles and carry the shopping trolley weighing 20 kilos up those three flights of stairs without stopping. No I am not cured, I do get very out of breath still, but I exercise regularly, eat healthily and take all my meds at set times as prescribed. I have learned all about my condition, know how to breathe efficiently and been on a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course.
We are all different so I am not guaranteeing you can recover to the same extent as I have, just that it is possible. It takes hard work and dedication, exercising to condition your body to operating with lower oxygen levels. Before you think that you are too old to achieve this, I am 18 years older than you, age does not stop you from exercising. The more you do, the more you can do.
There is light at the end of the tunnel so don't despair it just takes time and a long learning curve and getting accustomed to it all. Be a patient patient.
Hello keith - it’s a tough diagnosis. I was really desperate after mine, but am now 4 years on coping fine most of the time . The two things that really help me are exercise and the salt pipe. The latter really helps shift my stuck phlegm. The exercise is a lifesaver. I swim daily when I can - increasing how far gradually over time. I’ve also taken up the saxophone! Good luck with it - you may well be able to find ways to make it more manageable as you get used to the idea. Frances
Ask your GP to send you to pulmonary rehab. Everyone i have spoken to say it has really helped them. My mistake was sitting around too much as i used to get so frightened when i could not breathe, i should have persevered. Now i have taught myself different ways to help myself breathe, mainly through the internet, this has helped me a lot. I used to panic and make my breathing so much worse, at least now i can calm myself down.
Hopefully you have had a spirometry test done at the GO practice ?
You can request a Lung Funtion test, which is done at the hospital. Your GP will need to refer you. This will tell you what type of COPD , Emphysema or Chronic Bronchitis, you have which can be helpful
Have you been shown how to use your inhalers correctly ?
Have you been referred to Pulmonary Rehabilitation ?
Is there a local respiratory exercise group you can join ?
Clearly you need to ? gain weight if you are taking Ensure? A super healthy diet is really important.
Sputum clearance - a Respiratory physiology can help you with that- again ask your GP...
Steroids can really mess with your sleep, though may trouble with your sleep.
There is life after diagnosis !!! I am almost 15 years after diagnosis 😊
If you use Facebook you can join the COPD UK group page- it is amazing !!
Hi Keith. It definitely sounds like a panic attack. They are horrible. I went through a few weeks of having them from morning till night. I lost over 2 stone because I couldn't eat anything. I felt so sick toy stomach.
Looking back, I realise I should have gone to the Docter sooner but, e I eventually did and everything calmed down, after some anti-anxiety tablets.
It's 6 years now since my diagnosis and my copd has gone from moderate, to mild.
The diagnosis knocks you sick, but, you soon come round to it.
Just follow some of some of the excellent advice from previous posters and you'll soon see, nothing much has changed, you had this already without knowing and you coped just fine and now you can take steps to improve it.
Well done on the stopping smoking, it took me 18 months before I did it. xx
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