Husband as copd

[Outdoors]

My husband was diagnosed with copd but I didn't know until a few months ago and ever since I've been really upset I don't want anything to happen to him. I read that you have 5 years but I've also read where people have lived with it for over 40+ years. I'm in shock I'm scared and heart broken the nurse said its mild his oxygen is 97.

[judg69]

Dear Outdoors, with a Mild diagnosis and a SpO2 of 97% there is no reason at all your husband cannot have a long and loving lifetime. Just make sure he stops smoking , if indeed he is, and is smart as to avoiding sick people and polluted air, and is faithfully using hand sanitizer throughout the day. If he can exercise , even just daily walks, then so much the better. Best Wishes, judg69

[hypercat54]

5 years? I hope not! I was diagnosed mild 10 years ago and am still mild. You have been goggling it haven't you. It might be 5 years if you are diagnosed at a very severe stage but certainly not at the mild level.

I would expect your husband to have many healthy years yet and something else will probably get him first such as old age. x

[wheezyof]

Hello Outdoors,

I'm not sure where the idea of "5 years from diagnosis" started but I know it's mentioned on several sites on the internet. I know at least one friend who has spent over 5 years worrying about dying because of reading this "fact".

Many people have lived longer than the 5 years. Are they the exception that proves the rule. No. The "facts" are wrong. You don't think they can be wrong? Scientists and other learned people say it's true? Well for many years scientists and learned people said the earth was at the centre of the universe and flat.

Ask your husbands doctor for a sensible prognosis. Or look up The British Lung Foundation site. You will see lots of free advice about COPD, how to cope, how to keep well.

Relax and enjoy the life you both have now.

With love xx

[ditowler]

Stop worrying!! I was diagnosed 4 yrs ago with Emphysema, I am 65 this year and still chasing around after grandkids, walking, shopping, dancing and enjoying a wine. I fell ill with the flu last year and that knocked me down, but after 3 mths I was back up and moving again. Attitude is everything and your husband must stay active. Cheers.

[Hidden]

Please avoid Dr Google Outdoors..I've was diagnosed with mild COPD at least 10years ago oxygen levels can now drop to 88 at times as I'm now in severe range Fev1 predicted 20% but I'm coping mostly and planning to be around for a long time..agreed life isent a load of laughs at times but overall I'm fine so hopefully your husband will be able to cope,some of the 'big names'can be scary but keep the faith.Regards Ger

[Alfiebax2]

I have had COPD severe for almost 15 years and I'm still here with no intention of going anywhere else . This site will help you with anything you want to know .

Love Babs xxx

[whit]

don't worry i have had severe copd for around 15 years now ,

[sassy59]

Look at all the lovely replies you’ve had so far Outdoors. Such great people on this forum and we’re all here for each other.

I’m carer for my husband who’s got sarcoidosis and COPD. I’ve no idea what stage he’s at and don’t want to know. He’s doing well and that’s what mattters.

You take care and I’m sure your husband will do well for many years to come. Xxxxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Great reply Carol 👍👏 hope your Pete is keeping well

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Ger, Petes doing well at the moment. Take care xxxxx

[gingermusic]

Please first of all do not panic I have lived with COPD for the past 28 years and am still enjoying life. As has been said before make sure he exercises as much as possible even if only walking eat sensibly and stay away from anybody with colds etc.

[MoyB]

When I got my diagnosis of COPD I also Googled and got the 5 yr prognosis - but then I found this site and discovered that people live for many years with the condition. It was a life saver for me and lifted me out of depression! Thank God for this site, I say!! xx Moy

[Outdoors]

Thank you all of you hopefully I will stop worrying now

[mskpjb]

Sweetheart you have nothing to worry about really. Your husband can have a long and active life with COPD. The main thing is to not smoke or sit amongst others who are smoking, eat healthily, keep moving and enjoy life. Sheila xx

[rossie1942]

This site is wonderful, after being told by a nurse that I had COPD I thought like you are thinking now. Sadly being told that either yourself or a loved one has COPD is very distressing and NHS really need to address this and not just say COPD see you next year.Reading numerous posts here it seems to me that we just need to stay positive and forget the awful words. I wonder why the powers that be decided on this classification and not treat people as individuals and treat their lung problems as and when they need treating. Sooner the words COPD disappear from the medical world the better. Your husband probably hesitated in telling you as he was coming to terms with the news and did not want to burden you or maybe he thought it was a load of rubbish and he was just going to carry on living a happy healthy life. Enjoy your life together.

[Outdoors]

I'm still in shock and no matter how hard I try at the moment I have mixed feelings and I'm mad with myself. Feelings of panic shock sad heart broken think of how come its not classed as terminal because it is and sound that bad. One minute I'm thinking positive and thinking he will be OK and the next I make myself jump and start panicking again and thinking and worrying the worse

[rossie1942 in reply to Outdoors]

They don't class it as terminal because people live for years with it and die of totally unrelated illness. It is only natural that you feel the way you do. You have had a terrible shock and not been given any support.

[Outdoors in reply to rossie1942]

He also as a stoma and asthma and learning difficulties and dyslexia. And he's at high risk of getting diabetes he's had 4 operations first one was perforated bowel the others was herniad. Not only that my daughters as health conditions on a lot of medication.But I was coping with it though it did get to me at times I did cope. But now my main worry the main thing is the copd doesn't help that i have a anxiety disorder once I worry its hard to stop

[skischool]

Outdoors.with a diagnosis of mild copd and an o2 of 97% i would be more worried about keeping up with your dear hubby.most of us on here would give our right arm for such a healthy pair of lungs.i know it is initially alarming to receive a diagnosis of copd but listen to us all and continue to share a long life together and invest in a good pair of running shoes..........best wishes Ski's and Scruffy cat,x

[lKeith]

Outdoors

Hi don't beat yourself up about it. Tell your husband that he has to work around it not give in to it. Eat sensibly exercise (within safe limits) walk a bit. Swimming is said to be good and apparently helps breathing. Don't believe everything you read on Google, most of their articles frighten the strongest of us. Speak to his GP or practice nurse or one of the nurses at BLF. It's not all doom & gloom some people on this forum have had it for years, are still here to tell the tale. He should try to take things as easy as possible, accept there are things that he can no longer do. Don't fret about it, that does no good at all, work with it not against it.

IKeith

[Candyred]

Hi there .. does he smoke? If so stop! Oh and if it’s 5 years then I should be well deed..

you are in shock and scared but we here will keep you on the right track .. ask questions any questions we’re no shy on here and are willing to help you anyway we can .. chin up Outdoors XX

[Outdoors in reply to Candyred]

Hi no he doesn't smoke but he did years ago was smoking before I met him and when I moved in with him in 2008 I said to him why don't you stop smoking its bad for you so he did then last year he was diagnosed with copd

[Ergendl in reply to Outdoors]

My previous husband, Bob, died of heart failure 13 years after his COPD diagnosis (though he had 7 years of wheeziness before that), but he continued to smoke, pushed himself too hard and didn't listen to his body. When I was diagnosed with COPD 12 years after he'd died, I wasn't anything like as concerned as those around me, because I knew what to expect from the disease and was able to follow all the sensible advice of other members on this site. So my moderate diagnosis with 69% FEV in March 2015 has stayed the same on subsequent yearly reviews. In fact, I've not felt this good for years!

[Outdoors]

He also worked at a cutlery factory

[Kristicats]

I was diagnosed with moderate COPD and the dr basically said if I keep off the cigs and don’t sit around moping my lungs should deteriorate at the same rate as anyone else . I’ve actually improved since diagnosis.

[Outdoors in reply to Kristicats]

Wow that's really good that's positive

[K-Kilcoyne]

Was diagnosed 5 years ago but have read and net others who have had this problem for up to 27 years. It is a shock to the system but small changes in lifestyle (main one not smoking at all) there's a good chance your husband will out last you😊. Not funny I know but it is possible to control. Check through this site. Listen to his doc, but for support and advice this is one of the best.

Hope you get over the shock but it is not the end.

Take care and remember we're always here.

[Outdoors in reply to K-Kilcoyne]

Thank you

[bessymax]

I don't think you need to worry. If he has it mild and doesn't smoke he has years ahead of him and can lead a good life xxx

[Outdoors in reply to bessymax]

I'm an emotional rollercoaster at the moment