I'm A New chap I was feeling rough & after a ten day stint in hospital with bilateral pneumonia and a lung abscess. I was told I have copd.

[sulkypants1970]

This has really shaken me up, I had lower back pain for maybe 2 or 3 years and I assumed that 30 years of construction work, lifting, carrying falling off and over things working in confined spaces etc had just taken their toll but after starting to lose weight at an alarming rate along with an inability to function on a basic physical level my friend took me to hospital and lots of fuss was made.

I have 2 weeks until I get a formal diagnosis, the copd was picked up on after a review of my CT scan by a young doctor and as she confirmed my details she matter of fact told me with no warning. The poor girl wasn't aware I hadn't yet been told.

I have an appointment now for a cardiology ultrasound scan and then I'm to see the doc again shortly after that.

my blood tests etc all came back clear but I'm struggling to put any weight back on and I am struggling to decide whether to tell my grown up kids or not.

overwhelming is an understatement the only positive is that I have become a non smoker after 37 years of puffing away I have quit entirely.

I'm not sure why I have posted these feelings and facts but there we are.

All the Very best

[HungryHufflepuff]

Hello and welcome. It's great that you shared your experience with us because you'll get lots of support and advice here. It's a wonderful community full of friendship and laughter as well as all the practical info and help you'd expect to find. I am sorry to know you've had such a difficult time recently but I'm glad you found us 😊 And congratulations on quitting smoking 👍

[sassy59]

Welcome to you sulkypants. You’re in the right place for any support or advice you might need.

It’s good to share thoughts and feelings as you’ve had quite a shock diagnosis it seems.

Hope things improve for you. Xxxxx

[Hidden]

Welcome, and congratulations on having packed in smoking. Things might seem bad for you right now, but will not be as bad as you first thought. You will learn how to deal with it here if you stay.

[Badbessie]

I was diagnosed Christmas 2016 following bilateral pneumonia and sepsis and know exactly how you feel. The anxiety and shock can be overwhelming. However the picture is not totally black. You have already done the best thing possible by giving up smoking. Like you I was left underweight ask to see a dietician they do help. It is going to take time to recover from the pneumonia. My advice would be to learn as much as you can to help yourself. Keep away from Doctor Google as it can frighten rather than help. This site as given me excellent advice since diagnosis. The first six months can be confusing and this site really helped to explain tests etc. My advice would be keep asking questions as there is no such thing as a daft one! Above all we have all been through this and you are not alone.

[O2Trees]

This forum is exactly where you should share your feelings. And questions, because there is a wealth of information here. It sounds like you are getting good medical help which is great, as is your having quit smoking, brilliant.

I would suggest to try not to stress about whether to tell your kids - this will probably become clear to you before too long and it will happen. For now it will have been a shock discovering so much about your health and as you say you are overwhelmed - something most of us here recognise from our own experience. When the shock has subsided a bit you will be in a better place to communicate what is happening to you without alarming them too much.

Very many of us have benefited from pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) - a course of exercise and education about living with lung conditions like copd. Good idea to have a chat with your doctor to see if and when this would be right for you and get a referral to a course. You could also ask for a referral to a dietician to help with re-gaining some weight.

Keep coming on here and a warm welcome to you.

[sulkypants1970]

HungryHufflepuff,sassy59,Don-1931,Badbessie,O2Trees.

Thankyou all for your time and good advice,

I don't feel quite as I should, I have forgotten the pin numbers for all my cards and my handwriting has changed , i did have a few days of persistently smelling things that weren't there namely meat pies and cheddar cheese, i was a care assistant for a few years and i know these are symptomatic of a mild stroke.

I was going to call my doctors but I feel as though I'm just whining.

I'm seeing a healthcare pro pretty much every ten days so I can mention it then.

Many thanks for all your kind words and thoughts

a smashing community.

Sulky

[Whitechinchilla]

Welcome sulkypants. You can sulk on this site as much as you like.🤣🤣

We are one big, happy family of huffers and puffers and unlike a lot of today’s families, everyone here will help everyone and anyone.

Good wishes.

Keep on keeping on.😉

[sulkypants1970 in reply to Whitechinchilla]

I watched "Mortimer and Whitehouse go fishing"

& I'm feeling a bit less sulky today .

I have put on some weight since I was discharged from the hospital 1 stone and 5 pounds.

Maybe it's the all the pasta and chicken or possibly the sticky toffee puddings and custard.

still on occasion I find myself looking for my hand rolling tobacco so that's when I pick up a book and some ice cream, or the raspberry bonbons.

All The Best

Sulky

[Whitechinchilla in reply to sulkypants1970]

Well a dose of good tv is always a boost.

Enjoy your chicken and ice cream etc.,etc.,😂😂

[Ergendl]

Welcome, sulkypants1970, and well done for giving up the cigs. Ask your GP to refer you to a dietitian to get help with your diet as you've lost a lot of weight and are now struggling to put some back on. Dietitians can prescribe fortified drinks to help as well as advise on little changes to your diet.

[sulkypants1970 in reply to Ergendl]

I have an appointment with the dietitian , it arrived in the post today set for the 27th of this month.

I do believe I asked the nice lady at the hospital but I can't be sure as its all a bit of a blur.

They sent me a letter and I had to ring them for my appointment.

If I can get some supplemental drinks etc prescribed that would be wonderful thank you for the heads up.

kindest regards

sulky

[Ergendl in reply to sulkypants1970]

That's great news. It may help the dietitian if you make a note of what you're eating and drinking over 3 days, including 1 weekend day. Nothing complicated, but it may help your memory when (usually) she does a dietary recall. If she wonders why you did it, say a retired dietitian gave you the tip.

[stamford1234]

Welcome, you have a good friend getting you to the hospital. You have lots going on but it sounds like you are having the best care from the medics. Well done for kicking the cigs - you might find you will put a bit of weight on now. Good luck

[sulkypants1970 in reply to stamford1234]

Do you know I think that as ironic as it seems it's the "not having a cig" thing that's driving my appetite.

I have eaten a couple of hundred pounds worth of food in the last 2 weeks !

when they discharged me 2 weeks ago I was 6 and a half stone.

I have weighed myself today and to my surprise I'm 7 stone 11 pounds.

cheered me up a bit.

All the Best

Sulky

[stamford1234 in reply to sulkypants1970]

That's really good

[Izb1]

Hi Sulkypants1970 and welcome to the site, sorry to hear that you have been given bad news re copd, but wonderful news that you have quit smoking, dont fret about telling family just yet, get over the shock first. Alot of people on here have copd and live a full life, your in the right place

[sulkypants1970 in reply to Izb1]

That's what I'm after you see, a good healthy life with stuff to look forward to.

I have telephoned my big sister and invited her for lunch on Sunday.

I shall tell her afterwards , she's not daft , she was a frequent visitor at the QEQM and once she knows she can stop worrying about the "unknowns".

Thank you for your time and efforts.

All the Best

Sulky

[Caspiana]

Hello sulkypants1970 . 👋

Everyone has given you excellent advice. I just want to add quickly without being a bore, that in my opinion your children have the right to know and you will need their understanding and support. It's not easy being ill as you know , but with support it gets a whole lot easier. And I have no doubt they will want to help where possible.

Please take care and let us know how you are doing. Best wishes to you ,

Cas xx 🌼☕🍀

[sulkypants1970 in reply to Caspiana]

Caspiana,

Thanks' so much for taking the time to read my post, My children (all grown up) Are all very grounded and emotionally as tough as they come.

You are right with what you say about them having a right to know I'm unwell however I don't want to go off half cocked so I'm going to wait until I have had my heart scan and my first appointment with the doctor at the hospital until I contact them.

Its only about another 10 days.

Thank You Again

Sulky

[Dedalus]

Hello and welcome