Shortness of breath

[Johnluke]

Hi, I’m new here, got copd and other breathing problems all caused by smoking and maybe some from serving in Iraq, just on here to find ways to improve my breathing.

[2greys]

Hi Johnluke, welcome aboard. You are in the best place to talk and learn about your condition ( I use the word condition and not disease because disease conjours up images of contagion among the healthy who have never heard of it ).

I see that you already recognise smoking as being a major cause to your condition and if you still smoke then you really must quit. Quitting is the single best thing you can do to slow down the progression of it. There is, unfortunately, no known cure and the damage to your lungs is permanent.

"serving in Iraq", by that I take it you are an ex service man, so you will be familiar with exercising. Exercise is very important to managing the symptoms of COPD. Do not be frightened of getting breathless. You need to train your muscles to operate efficiently with less available oxyge (Liken it to high altitude training ) Ask your consultant or doctor to be referred to Pulmonary Rehabilitation a course of tailored exercises and education on how to manage your condition, well worth attending to learn improve your health.

You have a lot to learn and there are many members here who can help you with that. You have not received a death sentence with this diagnosis and with good management, can still lead a good quality of life. Stay away from Dr Google, there are many web sites that have very bad information and many that purport to have "miracle cures" to lighten your bank account.

[Hidden]

Hi John and welcome you'll find loads of helpful people and tips on here I was sort of in same job as youself and although my lungs are knackered I never smoked I've asbestos and copd..but in that job you were never far away from smokers and smokey situations so passively I was probably *smoking * 5 or 6 a day for years,anyway take care and enjoy this great site

[Johnluke in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the welcome, some day all will be sorted in this life or the next.

[donut43]

Hi, welcome to 0ur group. 2greys has said most of it. There are breathing exercises on this site. Giving up on the smoking is a must. As you know with exercise is also a must. Check up with your GP regularly get him to refer you to a consultant and to the RESP team who will look after you and give you exercises specially for lung conditions.

Dan

[Hidden]

Hi Johnluke

To improve your breathing you have medicines, nutrition and exercises. Plus wellness like meditation etc

Check the British Lung Foundation website on breathlessness, eventually phone the helpline for guidance and tips.

So starting with a good checkup making sure you don’t have an infection causing that shortness of breath. Did you do pulmonary function tests, the 6 minutes walk at the hospital?

For meds talk it through with the Consultant or GP finding the right inhalers..nebuliser..steroids eventually..

Asking for respiratory physiotherapy so you can be taught breathing exercises which will help you clear your chest for example. In the meantime you will find some on youtube.

As 2greys said asking to be referred to pulmonary rehabilitation but walk and swim if you can in the meantime..

Eat well, you will find help on the NHS website on nutrition..

I use meditation for relaxation..it helps.

Take care.