COPD worry

[Jononeill]

Hi I’ve just been diagnosed with mild COPD (so mild it is not categorized)but I am so worried and upset about my wife and kids that I just keep it all to my self , I walk very briskly for 5 km most nights and play golf every week so I am very active but I saw my mum die from this disease 5 years ago and it’s just eating away at me , this is my first time on a forum so it might look jibberish but now it’s done , I suppose I’m just worried about the future, thanks everyone

[sassy59]

Welcome to you Jononeill, this is a friendly caring forum and I’m sure others will reply soon.

It’s understandable to be scared and concerned after a diagnosis of COPD but you are doing well keeping fit. You can live a long and healthy life for many years to come if you continue to look after yourself.

Please talk to your family about your diagnosis, they can help you too.

Take care xxxxx

[Jononeill in reply to sassy59]

Thank you sassy59 , I’m just so worried as I’m only 49 and up until last year was still playing regular football so it’s a big shock , I gave up smoking 6 years ago so I suppose that’s a plus , again thank you

[sassy59 in reply to Jononeill]

Well done on stopping smoking, best thing to do. Xxxx

[Clamdigger]

You still have lots of years left look after yourself protect your lungs and keep working out.. I'm at stage 0 very beginning my uncle had COPD never smoked but he lived until 74 then passed away from it.... It is hard when you first hear that you have it rough one ... But they caught it in the early stages.. I"m moving very slowly been in stage 0 for a few years...

[Jononeill in reply to Clamdigger]

Thanks for your and info it’s really helpful, what is stage 0?

[Clamdigger in reply to Jononeill]

most people learn about having COPD at a higher stage 1 or 2... You said you were at stage 0,, But it dosn't process fast I don't know if your a smoker or not but do everything to protect your lungs eat healthy .... When I found out you think the worse how long do I have. and depression can set in .... You still have kids at home you sound young to have COPD ... Did any one else in your family pass away from it...... I did my uncle he never smoked so I did get blood work done find out in a month if I inherited it....

[hypercat54]

Hi relax. Although copd is progressive it rarely progresses quickly and the chances are you will stay mild for years. I was diagnosed mild in my mid 50's and am still mild 10 years on. The doctor told me something else would get me first ie old age! I never expect to reach the more severe stages - that is unless I live to 120!

Keep up what you are doing now, take any meds/inhalers as prescribed, look after your lungs and don't take any chances, then forget you have it and get on with the rest of your long and healthy life! x

[Jononeill in reply to hypercat54]

I really appreciate that and thank you as I was having a very bad morning and that has really perked me up

[hypercat54 in reply to Jononeill]

It's natural to be very upset with any diagnosis like this as we all were. But you will get your head round it and deal with it as we all do. Stay with us and join in and you will learn a lot about it and how we all cope as we are the ones who live with lung disease.

I know it's a strange thing to say but be grateful it was picked up very early as some sufferers aren't diagnosed until the severe stages.

We had a lovely member on here who has just passed who had no problems until her lung function was 22%. She was told she had 3 years to live but managed to outlive this by another 8 years. But at this stage your options are a lot more limited obviously.

So keep the faith and the hope and you will live a long and healthy life. x

[Jononeill]

Thanks again as I know I’m not alone and you all are so caring for replying to me

[christina1947]

Hi jononeill you are going to be fine you ave found out early and can keep it mild for ever just means looking after yourself keeping away from pollution all the things that are good for your health anyway not just for lungs. How where you diagnosed don’t usually have symptom so mild I am boarderline 69% lungfunction but determined to beet it never been so fit an healthy with my life style change take care xxx

[2greys]

After giving up smoking, the next best thing to manage COPD is to exercise and have a healthy balanced diet.

Consider yourself extremely lucky, by being diagnosed at such an early stage, you have time on your side. Time to slow the progression down to a snails pace, you will probably never ever suffer badly from the symptoms. Time to get into the routine of having a healthy lifestyle. You will certainly need to tell your wife why you are making changes to your lifestyle, you will need her 100% support for these changes and they will do the whole family a lot of good too. Whatever you do, you must tell her or you will eventually encounter conflict. Having a chronic disease does alter your mind, the way you think, your wife needs to understand why you have changed, both lifestyle and mindset. Keeping it a secret should not be the thing to do.

Some of us here have not been so lucky to get such an early diagnosis, being diagnosed at the moderate or severe stages. Being short of breath makes exercising extremely difficult for us. Eating well whilst short of breath can also be very difficult. In fact living normally in general can be almost impossible for some. You will probably never experience these problems, if you make the right lifestyle choices now.

[Jononeill in reply to 2greys]

Thank you and I know I’m lucky to some degree , my wife knows but I suppose understanding it is plus , judging by the response I have got today I’m sure I will get very important information to help me going forward, thank you so much

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Welcome Jononeill to our little family, please try not to worry . I know you are worried because you watch your mom suffer but we are all different, please try to be positive. You are keeping fit and doing all the right things so slow it down. Please take care and enjoy life, keep posting and have a lovely day. 😊 Bernadette xx

[Jononeill in reply to Damon1864]

Thanks Bernadette 👌

[mrblue12]

If you're COPD is so mild it's not categorized, then technically you don't have COPD. I know this because I'm exactly the same. You're what's known as stage 0 on the GOLD scale.

Basically, if you look after yourself and stay away from smoke, your disease shouldn't progress into COPD, or at least for a very long time.

Have you done a spirometry? I would be interested to know the results.

[Hacienda]

Welcome to the Forum Jo,I agree with mrblue. I am Stage 4 copd, Diagnosed 2013, at present 32% FEV1, that can change as I was 30%, have had Valves and on the Transplant List....I wake up every Morning...Yes, Another Good Day Ahead, Exercise, Keep a balanced Diet and Don' t smoke again. Stay Positive, carry on as you are. You will have a long and Fit Life. Be Happy . xxxx