Newly diagnosed help

[fenty]

Hi all,I’ve just been diagnosed with emphysema and would very much like any help and advice on how to live with this condition i.e things to do that would help day to day more bearable,diet,excersise and fitness etc that im going to need to know about,what questions i need to be asking my g.p/consultant,im an ex smoker of over 40 years,I stopped immediately on being told i had lung disease,i can’t blame anyone but myself as when i started smoking around 1976 I knew then that smoking didn’t come without health risks,any help and advice will be a source of great information i need to know about and hopefully a big comfort to me from people like myself diagnosed with emphysema..thanks...fenty.

[Hidden]

Im not expert and your sotroy is like mine but i got told 2016 i stopped smoking had lung function test and then another and it had got alot better then had one yesterday and it's now worse than when i first got tested so gutted. But i have put 3 stone on so that could be why i also do no exercise because i don't have time always working.

[janno]

It is very upsetting when being diagnosed, and I remember I was very angry because I had given up smoking several years prior to my diagnosis of copd. It took me a long time to forgive myself for ever picking up a cigarette. I stay well by following my Dr's advice, taking my prescribed meds and getting exercise. I worry about getting colds and try to avoid them in any way I can. Unfortunately, I have a cold now and am hoping that it does not go into my lungs. That is when my condition is at it's worse. You will find very positive helpful people here that are managing quite well with their lung issues. My Dr. has said that my emphysema may not advance, though there are some that may not agree with that, I would rather stay positive. As well as my daily prescribed inhaler, I take supplements of Vitamin D, NAC, and fish oil. Has your Dr. Prescribed anything yet? Be persistent with questioning your Dr. about any meds that will help. I also have found some helpful breathing exercises on Youtube. All the best to you.

[carrina]

Hi fenty, i have moderately severe emphasema. I recently got myself a cross walker and a manual treadmill as i was advised by others on here with this condition to exercise to make my lungs stronger . It seems from what i have read, that the more exercise you do, the better your breathing will be , but you dont have to over do it. I also have a ninja juicer and i blend allsorts to make diff juices, eg, raw kale or spinach leaves, carrots, apples, blueberries, goji berries, raspberries, beetroot, 5 seeds and any other anti oxidants and i believe that helps fend off infections. I make a juice like that once a day and i eat loads of veg and fruit , salmon, sea bass etc. I sometimes have chicken but prefer fish. I have cut out a lot of processed foods, though do occasionally have a cheat day and have what i want . I also try to avoid being round anyone with colds and if the weather is very damp, freezing or humid, i tend to stay home if i can. If i do go out when its cold, i keep my mouth and nose covered with a scarf . Also i try to avoid breathing in air fresheners, scented candles , hair products, perfumes, bonfiresmoke, chemicals, traffic pollution and so on. I had to stop using chemicals for house cleaning as they affect my breathing. I brought a good air purifier as it collects a lot of the dust and my dogs hair so the air i am breathing in is cleaner now. Cant think of more to tell you, but if i do, i shall add to this. Take care .

[Skatergirl1]

Hi Fenty, I have severe copd diagnosed last year. The first thing I did was stop smoking, then took up some excercise, I now go ice skating for 3 or 4 hours once a week. Ask your doctor to refer you to a pulmonary rehab course, the course last 6 or 7 weeks, twice weekly and covers exercise routine and talks on breathing techniques, nutrician, medications and so much more. Stay positive and enjoy what you can do rather that focus on what you can't. I also take vitamin D3 and k2 daily x

[Roysieboy]

Hello Fenty. I have got emphysema and I stopped smoking 31 years ago this year. I was diagnosed in 2017. I found it a bit of a struggle when first diagnosed but I quickly come to the conclusion that I would have to make the best of a bad job. It took about a year to get my medication right and then I went to Pulmonary rehab (which the consultant referred me to) and quite honestly it was the best thing I done. Exercise, in my opinion, is one of the key factors to coping with copd. You get a lot of information from the people who run it as the best way to cope with ur condition. Hope things work out for u. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Good luck and best wishes from this end. 👍🤓

[syntax]

One piece of advice l was given and it has helped for 10yrs

DO NOT PANIC.

[gingermusic]

Hi I was first diagnosed with Emphysema when I was 40 and so far have not done to badly over the years although it has of course slowly got worse. Now at age 69 and just learned I now also have bronchiectasis as well which means I now constantly coughing which is damned annoying. Best advice to you is give a very wide berth to anybody who is smoking or unwell particularly if they have a cold. I have asked my family to stay away if they have colds. Eat as sensibly as you can and exercise again as much as you can but without over doing it. If exercise is not easy to you then a good 30 minute walk a day is a must.

Use what ever medication your given and you should lead a full life. Don't be ashamed to slow down when you need to.

[Nicholatracy]

Good news is you no longer smoke. Try to exercise, watch your diet. STAY OFF The internet and read this forum every day 🐞

[Tree20862 in reply to Nicholatracy]

Stay off the internet but read this forum, on the internet... Lol. I know what you mean.

[Nicholatracy in reply to Tree20862]

Sorry that was back to front. Clarification, stay away from Dr Google 🐞

[Dedalus]

Hello and welcome x

[Tree20862]

Eat a balanced diet: fruit, vegetables, protein, dairy. Walk daily, as able. Walking is great exercise.

[Boeta]

Gee guys....exercise seems to be a problem to me with a question...how can i practice/exercise/walk if i struggle with with this breathing all the time? Where do i start?

[Skatergirl1 in reply to Boeta]

Hi Boeta, start off gently, even if you can only do a few minutes a day, do whatever you can, and slowly increase what you do. If you can get referred to a pulmonary rehab course, that will give you the guidance and info that you need and enable you to increase your mobility and improve your breathing. Good luck x

[Boeta in reply to Skatergirl1]

Thank you so much....it seems like my ability to breath is getting worse with the approaching winter here in South Africa...