Hi from Northern Spain

I have just joined and have already read a number of interesting posts. I am an expat living in Northern Spain. I have severe Emphysema which is a pain. I live alone but have three daughters here who keep an eye on me. Sometimes it can get scary living alone but I want to keep being independent. Anybody from the same area? Chin up!

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Welcome to the site, I'm sure you will find someone on here near you. Please post as it's a great site with great people. Have a good evening and take care.😊 Bernadette xx

[Hacienda]

Hola,Buenas Tardes, Where about are you in Northern Spain. I was an Ex pat for 28 Years on Costa Blanca, I have family there, and in Asturias y Bilboa. It seems I was the only one in The family with COPD. Ask away on here, and we will do our best to Help/Advise. I must say, If I had stayed in Spain, I would probably have had my Transplant by Now, seeing that Spain is TOP of the List for Successful Transplants. Hang on in there Handihaler.

Best Wishes. Carolina XXX

[Angelsstar in reply to Hacienda]

We were thinking of going over to live in Spain but I have severe c o p d plus a number of other medical issues I require a lot of meds per month. Don’t know anything about Spain’s healthcare so would have to research all that before looking for a property. Breath easy x jo

[Hacienda in reply to Angelsstar]

An awful lot to look into Hun. I think best for you is to go to Citizens Advice for all you need to know, for me to explain to you would be far to long on this Forum. Good Luck xxx

[skischool]

Welcome Handihaler,Where in northern Spain are you and are you under the Spanish health system through being resident and paying Spanish social security payments?i am sure loads of people would be interested to hear how the system works for you.

i have a Finca in the tarragona area of Catalunya where i was due to retire to but due to bereavement and my own poor health,very severe emphysema i have had to put that on hold until such time as i know when i have run out of treatment options having recently received endobronchial valves which unfortunately have not improved my condition.

Regards Ski's and Scruffy cat x

[Hacienda in reply to skischool]

Hola Carino otra vez. I am a Spanish Pensioner,( They pay more than Uk) having worked there for so long,and I also have my SIP card which on my next visit will have to update. Hoping you & Scruffita are being Good ( Not Likely you say). Just heard from a good friend in Valencia, she is now 78 years old and living the Good life with good warm Weather, she has had heart stents in Alicante Hospital, and nowadays is the main Fiesta organiser in her Village of Zara. Of Course I see Photos of our Beloved Spain almost every day from my family & friends from the Costa's to the Rural inland Beauty of Galicia. My Daughter celebrates her Birthday Tomorrow, She & my Son in Law will make a Huge Paella, Spanish Tortilla's plus lots more for all the Calle,(street) as they do for lots of occasions. A Real Happy Fiesta to happen. Oh Carino, I do miss it all as I'm sure you do my Darling. Abrazos y Besos mucho a Ti y Scruffita. XXXXXXX

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

Hi Hacienda. Many thanks for the reply. I live in Bilbao. I came over in 72. Went back to the UK in 1999 and returned here in 2010. Love it here and the health service is fantastic! I think to replied to me but it was meant for some other firends of yours. Take care xxx

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hun, I did reply to you further up the page. Yes, this one was for Ski's, another ex Pat. We all tend to Jump in, but I apologise for Butting in on your post. Take care Hun. Son in law from leon in Asturias, My Grandson in Law is from Bilbao, my Granddaughter Anabelen loves going there summer or Winter. A lot of my Family are in Alicante, Madrid Tarragona, and then further South, we are all over Spain it seems Ha Ha. Hasta luego Amiga. xxxxx

[Whitechinchilla]

Welcome. I’m sure the wonderful climate there must be beneficial for you.

By posting here you have joined an extended family so to speak, so you will never feel isolated. So keep posting and take care. Good wishes.

[stamford1234]

Hi to you from Spain and welcome. I miss my family too, spread out over the World. Loads of support here. Chin up lovely

[lKeith]

Hardihaler

Hi welcome to the forum where we can give support so you do not feel alone. Unfortunately we are not qualified in medicine but can tell you how a certain type was/is coped with.

I live in the UK, have similar problems with severe emphysema, I'm past treatment stage and looking at stem cell treatments to extend my time here.I do however travel regularly to the Canaries not that near to you but at least a Spanish speaking country and not a bad climate for the winter, probably better than yours. I take my laptop with me and can keep in touch with people on the forum so never alone.

Keep in touch with us

IKeith

[Hidden in reply to lKeith]

Hi Ikeith. Thanks for he reply. The weather in the Canaries is better than here in Bilbao especially now as it is cold (9º) and wet but everything is so green and beautiful. Stem cell treatments?

Take care

[lKeith in reply to Hidden]

Handihaler

Hi, do you know something about stem cell treatments I don't? Please tell.

I have discovered that the practice is not done in Spanish I've been around all major hospitals in Spain.

IKeith

[Hidden in reply to lKeith]

Hi again. I have no idea about stem cell treatments sorry. As you mentioned it I thought maybe you did

Handihaler

[lKeith]

Handihaler

Hi, do you know something about stem cell treatments I don't? Please tell.

I have discovered that the practice is not done in Spain (for emphysema), I've been in contact with all major hospitals in Spain.

IKeith

[lKeith]

Handinhaler,

Hi thanks for response, I thought you had some experience of stem cell treatments, I have researched it from USA to Thailand but keep getting mixed messages. Some think it has given them 2nd wind & can't speak highly enough about it, others have quite the opposite experience & wouldn't suggest it to their worst enemy, or many have found that long term they are right back where they started. Who do you take notice of?

I have found another clinic that does it in Czek Republic using ones own fat, taking cells & cultivating them before putting it back into ones body. but I don't know anymore if it will improve my lot or not as there are no guarantees. Suck it & see, meanwhile it's cost a lot of money to discover what?

Good luck with your lot& keep well.

IKeith

[Nelich]

Hello and welcome! I am from Andalusia, currently planning to move to Portugal and this is why trying to sell my commercial property in Malaga. Decided that I want to make a real change in life and to move out of my comfort zone plus I have a lot of friends in Lisbon. Would be interesting to see.

edited by Admin to remove internet link - sorry, advertising not permitted.

[HungryHufflepuff]

¡Hola, buenos tardes! Greetings and welcome ☀️🌻