Hi everyone my name is David; I come from Bradford, UK.
I work in a special needs School in Leeds, dealing with learning difficulties, bad behaviour, and students with medical needs.
I have just recently been diagnosed with ‘COPD’ I don’t know how far it is, as no one has really told me, I only know what I have read on the internet, I am only mad at myself for getting it, as it’s me who decided to smoke when I was young! Stupid ‘yes’ but, that’s life!
Stopped smoking now, bit late I know! But at least I did it myself this time.
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Hello David, what a lovely job you have, my son goes to a specialist school as he has severe learning difficulties and it's wonderful he's so happy there. I work in a school also but mainstream with little ones, mmm no good for colds etc!
You should asap request a CT scan and to see a specialist the CT scan will show if there if damage to the lungs and what stage you may be at, also a lung function test if you haven't already had one.
Also have an annual flu jab and ask for pneumonia jab too, that one you only need once.
Wash your hands like crazy and try not to touch your face, don't socialise with people who have colds etc and try to wear gloves so as not to touch door handles, hand rails etc, it will help you from catching viruses which can lead to infections.
Take extra vitamins, especially C and 1000iu of D3 daily.
Always wrap up warm and try wearing a scarf covering your mouth loosely so you don't breathe in the cold air.
Yeah it is a great job, always something different lol
Thanks for the advice, do try to keep wrapped up, as for keeping away from others with colds its really hard as I have to work in a class 2 days a week with kids that are always full of cold at this time of year 🤨 going to try do something about that though.
Thanks you xXx
Shancock has covered most things but I would just add that it’s ace that you’ve stopped smoking and hopefully you can keep it up! Try not to kick yourself too much: not everyone with COPD was ever a smoker, and many people who smoke never get COPD so really you just got unlucky!
Well done for giving up smoking its the worst thing for progression of lung disease. Besides not catching colds and infections. Try to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. The healthier you are the slower the progress of the copd. I do think you need to ask what form your copd takes copd is not in it's self a illness just a umbrella term for several illnesses. What stage you are at is interesting but not as important as how you feel and how your illness is effecting your every day life. This will determin what meds, inhalers you may need.
Don't know at what stage I am, had a bad do yesterday bringing decorations down stairs, first time, really need to get some more info, only takes to a doctor over the phone once, seen a dizzy nurse lol, apart from that, just know what I've read on the tinterweb.
Anyway thanks
They gave me three inhalers one morning, one night and one when I need it.
Hello and welcome. Don’t beat yourself up about having smoked because it won’t change the fact that you did, but you quit which is the main thing. Everyone in this community is so knowledgeable and supportive. You’ll find answers to any questions you may have, and advice to help you through any problems. And this is just a great place to be, there are lots of laughs here 🙂
Hello David and welcome!! Please don't Google too much. It will just frighten you to death. 😔 So glad you found this wonderful, supportive group. xx 🙋🐕
Glad you've joined us. Check out Nasal Guard cold and flu block, and Vick's First Defence - they may help you. If the Nasal Guard is too dear for you, try Vaseline in the nostrils instead, to trap some of those nasties the children are breathing all over you. All the best.
Hi David and welcome to the site. So glad you managed to stop smoking, its one of the best things you can do to help yourself, along with all the other advice people have already given to you. Exercise is also one of the main things to help with any lung condition, depending on your fitness level. Irene x
Well done for stopping smoking and welcome to the group. Keep warm see a specialist soon as possible have the flue jab and pneumonia jab if you have not had one. All honour and glory to you for your excellent work helping the less able.
Thanks Dan, had pneumonia and flue, so hopefully should be ok, do need to see someone as i dont know a great deal abput it, or how bad it really is, so will see doctor face to face after Christmas.
Welcome to this site I'm sure you will find it very informative, I know I have. I would just add try to get a referral to a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course. The information that you are given is second to none and apart from the exercise sessions you will be given a different talk each week covering all aspects of COPD, how your lungs work, the effects of COPD, nutrition, breathing exercises and much more. Plus you will also have the support of people similarly affected.
The exercise is good because you never do more than you can handle even for one like myself who is allergic to all forms of exercise!
I'm the same as you lol just never been able to keep up to fitness 😶 but know I need to, really thinking of going on the course though, will see doctor about it after Christmas.
Welcome. This is the best site you could find, lots of information and positivity. You’ll have a few bad days but the best thing you have done is stop smoking. Now Exercise maybe 30 minutes a day and watch what you eat as when the tummy is overloaded it pushes the diaphragm into your lungs and they becomes squished. Enough of my medical jargon, enjoy life this is not death sentence!🐞
Hi & welcome, none of us are medical experts but we do know what helps us along.
My daughter does similar work to yourself but only with handicapped children not the other issues, even handicapped children can "play" up.
Your COPD can be coped with provided you exercise, eat a sensible diet and generallt keep as active as possible and within your capability, do not try to over do it. Take regular breaks from exercise or anything strenuous. Beware of stairs, hills and slopes, take them at leisure.
It's not the end of the world, inconvenient yes but be sensible about it and you will go on for years yet.
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