MY JOURNEY WITH COPD.

[Artist44]

You CAN feel better with COPD.

I suffered with Bronchitis from a very young age and over the years it got worse. The fact I smoked obviously made it worse but did I stop? No, of course not, I just had a weak chest.

Fast forward to 2008 we were on a road trip in America with 4 friends and one by one everyone succumbed to a nasty chest infection except me, the only smoker. This enforced my thinking that smoking can ward off infection but I eventually caught it too and was very ill, much worse than the others and it had lasting consequences.

I couldn’t smoke, I could hardly breath and had the worst flight home ever, coughing non stop, disturbing all the other passengers and other embarrassing things.

I haven’t smoked since and soon became used to being a non smoker. Then my husband and I caught Whooping cough which further weakened my lungs and COPD was diagnosed.

Two years ago I wrote this

“Cough

Produces clear, White & frothy and/or thick yellow / green.

Can cough incessantly for an hour or more several times a day.

Sinusitis, Hurts my head, causes pain behind my eyes and nose & produces loads of mucus. Can make me dizzy.

Tummy better but still have ' indigestion ' pain. Not acid reflux, more like a lump blocking my oesophagus.

Feel weak & exhausted all the time as cough keeps me awake at night.

Increased SOB so more ventolin.

Felt ill now for over four weeks and getting worse apart from tummy.

“

These symptoms continued for months interspersed with the odd (!) exacerbations.

However, my last hospital admission was in May 2017 🤞🤞🤞after catching a nasty cold on holiday in Guernsey. Since then I have been quite well although my lungs are getting worse. I do my nebuliser 4 times a day and use a ventolin inhaler in between if needed. I have also been taking

Prednisilone 5mgs daily which certainly helps how I feel and appears to help me ward off infection.I have not needed antibiotics for well over a year and generally feel OK.

Physically I cannot do a lot but I do what I can when I can. For someone who also suffers with life long depression I’m doing good and long may it continue.

After 5 years under the care of a Consultant I have been discharged which leaves room for someone to take my place.

[Julier1955]

My goodness you have had it rough but it seems that you are slowly coming out the other end. Fingers crossed that you remain fairly well and are mobile and independent, I suppose that’s the least we can ask for.

Take care x

[Artist44 in reply to Julier1955]

My idea was to show that things can get better. I appreciate your comment.

Thanks.

[Whitechinchilla]

You must be feeling elated at being discharged by your consultant.

After a long road perhaps it’s good to hear that things are really improving for you.

So keep doing whatever it is you are doing. Good wishes.

[Artist44 in reply to Whitechinchilla]

My idea was to show that things can get better. I appreciate your comment.

Thanks.

[Hacienda]

Wow, Jean, you have been through a lot. Glad you are feeling Better and understand more about your illness. Good Luck Hun. Stay Strong. xxxx

[Artist44 in reply to Hacienda]

My idea was to show that things can get better. I appreciate your comment.

Thanks.

[syntax]

Bit of a rough journey for you ? Unfortunately the powers that be, has everybody believing it is only smoking which causes COPD and other lung problems.I know of people

who have never smoked or been near anyone who smokes,and they have COPD. These

people have however worked in glass & enamel factory's.They are provided,sometimes,

with those white masks you often see.These are of no use whatsoever,and glass & enamel

are floating in the air,even to the offices where masks are not worn.This glass is worse than Asbestosis !!

Although you use Prednisolone,and it is good for a short while,it can be harmful in the long run.Not sure if you use Doxycyline with it,but this helps,at least me,more when

taken together.Mainly for Exacerbations,which l do not get very often anymore because l am taking two Amoxicillin a day.Have read comments about this on here,and people wonder why it isd used so much. It keeps away infections is what it does for me,so l am not being taken to Hosp three times a week (and more).My suggestion because it hasd kept ME going 12 yrs,is to ask your doctor about taking it. It was Addenbrookes in Cambridge who suggested mine. Hope l can at least use that name on here.If not,just take the sentence out which offends and not the entire reply please.

LUCK

[Artist44 in reply to syntax]

My idea was to show that things can get better. I appreciate your comments. I found it interesting that you take a maintenance dose of antibiotics whilst I take a steroid. Both have their side effects but so do all drugs to some degree.

My consultant said that my dose was do small he felt the benefits outweigh the cons but it’s always in my head to try again to reduce them. As a matter of fact I’m currently trying but am already finding that my energy levels are very low. Struggling to pull myself out of the fog today but I am getting there.

🎼

WAKE UP SLEEPY JEAN.

[syntax in reply to Artist44]

That is fine and if it works for you good.I have found the only side effect to be

loss of Exacerbations !! I gather it must be different for everyone,and if you feel

tired and weak when you cut down,then best left as is.

Or you can find things to put back the Iodine in your body,and magnesium for

tiredness,fatigue and muscle function. ??

LUCK

[Dedalus]

Lovely uplifting post - thank you x

[Artist44 in reply to Dedalus]

My idea was to show that things can get better. I appreciate your comment.

Thanks.

[Candyred]

Wow you have been through the mill .. keep fighting xx

[Artist44 in reply to Candyred]

My idea was to show that things can get better. I appreciate your comment.

Thanks.

[Artist44]

What a great idea ......... off you go then I’ll follow!