Copd

[Outdoors]

How do I come to teams with my husband having cold I can't get my head around this as knocked me for six. I know I'm the one that as to be strong for my husband and my children. I know he can live a long life if he changes things. I know I'm the one that's got to be strong and keep the family going. Any advice that may help

[Hidden]

I think you ment copd outdoors..how bad is it I've had it for years as have qiute a few on here and I know we are all different in lifestyles ect but hopefully the medical people can manage your husbands condition but I'm saying this without and knowledge of his illness..all the very best Ger

[Outdoors in reply to Hidden]

We have spoken before and I've had a lot of good things to read on here. I'm still in shock

[Hidden in reply to Outdoors]

Sometime if you find the right person to talk to ie respiratory nurse or GP and tell them of YOUR fears and concerns it may help..I try to avoid Google as much as I can now that were i went wrong when I was first diagnosed

[Hidden]

Sorry I just saw title of your post of course you ment copd outdoors

[hypercat54]

Hi he is mild and will probably outlive you! You need to start enjoying the rest of your lives together and not ruining it with your fears. He is fine and is going to be happy and healthy for a long time yet.

I was diagnosed mild and haven't changed in 10 years and don't expect to much. Maybe a few points but that's it. My doctor told me that unless I live to 120 that something else will get me first!

Is it possible you are suffering with anxiety? If a visit to your doctor for some help might be a good idea. x

[Hidden]

Hello Outdoors

I have been reading all of your posts. It must have been a shock to be told that your husband has copd, especially as you know very little about it and what to expect.

Now I am going to tell you some home truths. I suggest that you get your husband to read them too.

With oxygen at 97% he really does not have much of a problem with that.

He has been diagnosed as mild.

He is NOT an invalid.

He is still the same person that he was the day before he got his diagnosis.

This thing is not going to finish him off in the near future if ever. Most people with copd die of old age before they die of copd.

He is perfectly capable of looking after himself and continuing to play his part in looking after you and the children also. There is no reason for him to leave it all to you.

HIS priority, not yours, is to learn about his condition and its management so that he can take control of it and continue to live a normal life.

You need to go to your GP and get some help with managing your own anxieties which, believe me, are unnecessarily high.

Then try to step back and expect your husband to look after himself whilst you are there to give support when needed. There are plenty of lovely knowlegable people on here who will be willing to help and advise him. This takes a worrying burden off you.

I may sound harsh but these are the realities of the situation. Once you and your husband find your way past the initial shock and panic to a daily routine of staying well, life will become much brighter.

[Ergendl in reply to Hidden]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Sjf129903 in reply to Hidden]

Yes

[Hayley_ in reply to Hidden]

Well said littlepom 👍

[Outdoors in reply to Hidden]

He as other health problems as well I'm his full time carer

[Kristicats in reply to Hidden]

Well said Littleton and very true

[2greys]

Too add a little perspective, neither you nor your husband have no need to worry over a mild diagnosis.

I was diagnosed when at the severe stage over two years ago. I am still working full-time with a reasonably physical job, live in a flat up 3 flights of stairs and carry a 30 Kg loaded shopping trolley up them too, regularly walk 5 miles. So as you can see, I still lead a relatively normal life and so can both of you. I am 68 years too.

Once you are over the shock, things will soon settle down into a routine and you will wonder why you panicked so much. You will get used to it, you have to, because his COPD is not going to go away, so you might as well take a deep breath and start to accept it, today.

With being mild there will be no change to your lives other than; no smoking (inc. passive smoking), taking his meds on time religiously, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. Easy measures to take.

[Hidden in reply to 2greys]

Well said 2greys.

[Hayley_ in reply to 2greys]

Wow 2greys, that is amazing. You are inspirational 🙌

[barbs47]

Hi I was diagnosed with COPD in my 40s. I was a single parent with 4 teenage children. I worked up until I retired in my 60s. I am now in my 70s, I live alone and look after myself. I have seen my children grow up and I now have 7 grandchildren. Life with COPD is not doom and gloom if you look after yourself, good diet, exercise and take meds as prescribed. You both have lots of living. Good luck Barbs x

[kernowdame]

I am 76. Very severe. Fev 1 of 25%. I shall spend today mowing the lawns. It is a question of mind over matter, I think. Reward myself with steak and salad for tea and a glass of red wine.

[2greys in reply to kernowdame]

You are so right, with a little determination you can still do a lot, give in and it is a road to getting totally lethargic. As my respiratory consultant has said "The more you do the more you can do".

[jackdup in reply to kernowdame]

If my wife reads this she will have me out mowing the lawn again. 😊

[casper99 in reply to kernowdame]

Wow!!! I'm well

Impressed.

Thanks for telling us that, it's inspirational xx

[Kristicats]

Hi outdoors just wondering what age and what other conditions your nearest and dearest has?don’t mean to be impertinent . Mild COPD alone is usually very manageable and is much more common than you think.Many people have COPD that is not diagnosed until later stages and if everyone had a spirometry test, thousands more people would show up as mild COPD. As I mentioned before even with moderate COPD if a person stops smoking and takes the appropriate treatments I.E inhalers and not sitting around too much their lungs should deteriorate then at the same pace as Someone without COPD. You mentioned excessive tiredness ? Is this related to anything else? or maybe not enough exercise to give his muscles the oxygen they need ? Sorry it’s hard to give real supportive advice not knowing the full picture . Hope all the wonderful advice you have had on here helps you and your hubby to understand the condition and not worry as much. BLF give factual good support if you need to contact them. Take care of you both.

[Outdoors in reply to Kristicats]

Hi he's 57 as a stoma from a perforated bowel he as GERD he as weak knees he as asthma

[Kristicats in reply to Outdoors]

I feel that the Gerd (acid reflux) is the only thing that causes me any real problems since I’ve had COPD. It can cause breathing to feel worse. I’ve recently started using lacto free milk in-place of normal milk and this has helped very much specially with feeling tired and tight chested in the evenings.

[Outdoors in reply to Kristicats]

I've noticed that when you get acid it can effect your lungs but when I asked doctors they said no what rubbish when I have acid it effects my asthma

[Kristicats in reply to Kristicats]

Milk and spices definitely affect my breathing. My pulmonary physician asked me to try and identify the triggers to my acid reflux.

[Outdoors]

Hi thank you for all the supporting comments apart from one they have woken me up from the shock and worry thanks again

[Janzo54 in reply to Outdoors]

Hello outdoors

Sorry for your shock-in time it will pass.

I have Mod COPD and recovering from major spinal op yet last week I returned to swimming and Ceroc dancing!

Some days are harder than others with the breathing etc but I live an active life.

I find distraction brings its own rewards like hobbies, work, gardening, and looking after my daughters pups! They keep me laughing with their antics!

Look for support for yourself and get informed from a respiratory nurse or get referred with your husband to a Rehab COPD clinic-i found i was much more agile than many on my course and that helped just having that comparison that so many sufferers are worse than me!

Enjoy each day, take time to stop and stare-at life at nature at your children/grandchildren.

COPD is not a death sentence so by remaining positive and living each day well and enjoying it there is no need to fear. Many people live long lives with this illness.

Exercise and diet are essential to keeping things running-like a car we have to put oil and petrol to make it go and MOT checks to see we run ok! Look after your self and encourage your husband to do the same.

Depression can affect everyone and this is an issue ask for help see a GP.

Dont suffer alone or become isolated.

Motivation is so important with this disease-find people who help and inspire you both.

You will be fine-and so will he!

Enjoy each day together-

Avoid searching internet advice on here and information is accurate and safe.

Love Janzo 💐