copd emphasyma and heart failure

[unified]

Have severe copd and have just been diagnosed with heart failure and feel as if im near the end Has anyone overcome these problems at all

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi please don't worry speak to your GP or nurse get them to explain things to you. Many people have the same problem but live ordinary lives. Hope this helps. Have a great day and Very Happy Christmas and let us know how you get on. Take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

[JANET127]

Hello!I have severe COPD and Cong Heart Failure....PLUS! It just sounds scary! I thought the same thing as you did when it first happened! 20 years ago! You can regulate it by eating no sodium, weighing yourself daily, watching your legs, belly, etc if they swell. I take water pills plus I also take another pill because I swelled up with 27 lbs of water before! This second pill helps a lot and doesn't let the water go up to my stomach ,lungs,heart! You can live a long time...as long as you take care of yourself! Merry Christmas! Janet127

[unified in reply to JANET127]

Thank you for your reassurance just feel very overwhelmed at present so think some of the problem may be anxiety. Am also taking two different types of water pills and other tablets for my heart which I feel are giving me various side effects which are not helping

[Nan51 in reply to unified]

It's normal to feel low when struggling with health problems, and side affects from medication doesn't help. These may settle, but, again, if not speak to your doctor or nurse. I do hope you have a good Christmas, and I wish you the very best of health for the New Year. Take care. A

[JANET127 in reply to unified]

I just remembered something! After my heart went down,after chemo..all I did was cry! My Heart Doc told me Heart patients experience a year of depression, when something effects the heart! So I was put on a anti depressant and felt much better! Janet127

[chubby2x22]

Well I'm trying also to beat urinary infection on 3rd lot of antibiotics, not changed anything to do with emphysema or the h.f., but out of all 3 the h.f is giving me most problems. Seeing cardiologist tomorrow, will post an update, hopefully with useful info. Jane

[Geminii]

Think this is pretty standard, as difficulty breathing affects heart. I was given same diagnosis 3 years ago and apart from another 4 pils can't say it's made any difference. Chin up and cheer up! xxx

[Fleurbaby]

Same as above, but also expect you to get close to type2 diabetes as well, they are statistically linked, I asked my doctor, he said yes, I am getting things sorted, have finally got an appointment to see dietitian on 13 January 2020, I have tried really hard, but, I have put on another 7kgs, I am 151kg now.

[hallentine47]

I have Emphysema COPD and heart failure--was rushed into Exeter having a heart attack last MOnday only to discover it was acute severe indigestion!! I have never felt pain like it. Now for a camera down my throat on Friday. Heart disease seemes to go with the COPD Emphysema due to bein g caused by the same reasons--usually smoking. Talk to your health advisors and get a fuller understanding of the illness generally.

[lKeith]

unified

Hi, Take life easier, don't put too much on yourself so as to keep the anxiety down. You are not near the end please remember that.

There are people on this forum who have the same problems, but they have adapted and are still here to tell the tail. You'll survive if you accept what you have and try not to put it right.

IKeith

[Johnem]

Hi, I have very severe COPD 20% Fev 1 plus asthma and was diagnosed with left side HF with 32% ejection fraction almost two years ago which knocked me sideways, so I understand how you feel. Once you get over the initial shock, get yourself referred to a good Heart Failure Nurse Specialist and steel yourself up to do all you can to keep going. Don't stay in and sit, try and get out and walk as much as you can. I am on Oxygen 24 hrs and use a tri walker to help me get about, Walk and rest, walk and rest as much as you can without overdoing it, which is not really possible anyway. A Community Matron is good if you have one as they can give medical help and also things like arranging a Specialist physio who can also organise practical stuff like shower grab rails , stair rails, tried walkers etc. Best of luck and don't give in.

John.

[Dampier in reply to Johnem]

Hi John i too have severe emphysema with 19 FEV - also have widespread pulmomary hypertension - so getting air is difficult. I am on ventinol 12 - 13 shots per day, along with twice daily 1000mg of flixotide and one daily ultibro.... I recently went on 7.5mg prednisone daily maintenance and I feel this is making a difference, particularly with oxygen levels which are around 93 - 94 during the day and are still on oxygen at night.

I would be interested to know what your medication regime is - thanks

[Johnem in reply to Dampier]

4 litres oxygen ambulatory, 2 litres static, oramorph 4 hourly x 4max, salbutamol as required, spireva, symbicort and carbocisteine plus rescue pack of prednisalone and doxycyclin for COPD. For HF I have sacubitrol Valsartan (Entresto) and Bisoprolol which is selective for COPD. Also 80 to 120mg Furusomide daily for water retention. I keep off my prednisone and would rather suffer more as long as I can as while it's good for comfort, it causes fluid retention, it is hard, but I have my fluid under control which of course helps my breathing,

Wishing you all the best,

John.