Work and COPD

[Dchad63]

Hello everyone, I am fairly new and have spent a lot of time reading various posts. I’m hoping to learn more, get advice and just generally chat to people in the same boat as me. I am 56 with stage 3 COPD. I still work but am getting increasingly more tired, is this normal?

[2greys]

Hi, yes it is to be expected. No doubt you would have read that I still work full-time as well. It is damn hard to keep going. Sheer determination, or stubbornness, to maintain a normal-ish life keeps me going. I also take a vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 supplements and that helps give a boost to energy levels as well as boost the immune system.

We are all different in how it affects us and there is no shame in feeling fatigued. I will suffer exactly the same one day, probably sooner than later as I have just entered stage 4 and a little older than you at 69. We can only do so much before we have to give in to the condition, it is after all inevitable, until then we can only do our best.

[Skatergirl1]

Hi dchad63, I am similar to you, am 57 and also stage 3, heading to stage 4, am also working and self employed with no benefits, but I am also finding that I am getting very tired. I think this is natural as our body is having to work harder to maintain our oxygen levels. So I think in answer to your question, yes. Xx

[Dchad63 in reply to Skatergirl1]

Hi Skatergirl1, when were you diagnosed? Do you also find it hard to stay positive sometimes? X

[Skatergirl1 in reply to Dchad63]

Hi, I was diag last July. I am generally positive but do have an odd wobble. I am undergoing tests at the moment with my consultant to see what I can be offered re valves and surgerybut keep myself busy. But getting more tired. How about you? X

[Dchad63]

Gosh, you haven’t been diagnosed long then. I was diagnosed nearly eleven years ago. I have The Emphysema side of COPD. Plodded on all this time but seem to have had a sudden progression. Just been put on Trelegy, I don’t have oxygen. I am waiting to start pulmonary rehab. How bad are you? How’s your fev1? What do you mean by valves? Sorry to seem vague but there’s lots I don’t know X

[hypercat54]

Hi I am still classed as mild but still get more tired than I used to. I think part of that is due to getting older though and I have other health conditions too. x

[katieoxo60]

Hi Dchad63, welcome to the site. It is normal to get tired with COPD especially if you are stage 3 and still working. Is your work heavy or light, some people go for shorter hours . At your age I was on my way to retirement, however not because of COPD it was for arthritis incapacity and my caring duties of my husband. Maybe the time has come for you to consider early retirement, I was diagnosed with COPD after I reached official retirement age. You found the right site for asking questions and getting insight into your illness. Hope to speak to you again take care and have a lovely weekend.

[garshe]

Don't read to much into figures when you have tests done. I was diagnosed severe COPD 10yrs ago. Keeping active and Positive is the best treatment. Everyone is different and you can slow the progression down by not giving in. Sheila.

[2greys in reply to garshe]

"Not giving in", so very true.

It is so very easy to just give in, but it really does you no favours to do so, in fact it makes you worse as you de-condition. The way forward is to keep going despite it being hard work. Even though my lung function has declined over the last 3 1/2 years I am doing more now than when first diagnosed because I have kept pushing myself.

[garshe in reply to 2greys]

Good on you. You have the right attitude. I wish you good luck .x Sheila.

[Hidden]

Welcome dchad63. All these good people are right. Keep going and build strength were always here to help each other. Maz

[Dchad63 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Maz, thank you. How do you all exercise etc? X

[Hidden]

Walking is one of the best excersise you can do according to my pulmonary rehab class and I also do tai chi. If theres no classes in your area theres some great videos on you tube. I use one by David Dorrian Ross he has some for sitting and standing. Hope this helps. It also depends how much you can manage. Maz

[teresa297]

Hi i am 64 with stage 2 COPD but my job is quite physical and I ma not looking forward to it after shielding. What type of work do you do?

[Dchad63 in reply to teresa297]

Hi, yes I too have been shielding since mid March and can’t decide wether to go back to work or retire early as I work in a Supermarket and have heard from colleagues that the safety aspect isn’t the best. Hope you’re well? X

[teresa297 in reply to Dchad63]

I wish I could retire early but I can’t afford to but I really need to speak to my manager

[Dchad63 in reply to teresa297]

I can’t afford to either love but sometimes our health and well-being has to come first. X

[teresa297 in reply to Dchad63]

I know what you mean but wouldn’t that mean I would have to sign in at the job centre till I retire which is a nightmare and they just threaten to stop your money if you don’t look for work

[Dchad63 in reply to teresa297]

Look into ESA X