We need help!

[stanns]

I am struggling with this awful copd, I cant walk from my chair to the toilet without going into an excavation, let alone clean my house. I live in the middle of nowhere and can't get a cleaner. I do have a husband who is great and goes to work every day and does what he can for me when he is home. I just feel lost with no outside help. Sorry to moan but I don't know how to go on like this, it is no life. Felt I had to say all this because this is the way I am feeling, and another thing I hate the winter, I get SAD Are things ever going to get better, where is help when I need it. Yes I am depressed too. Thank you for taking time to read my worries when you all have your own. Love to everyone. Xx

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Question are you getting over infection? Have you contacted GP ? Are you always like this? Are your inhalers not working at all? What stage are you?

[cofdrop-UK]

I am so sorry you are struggling so much stanns. I don’t have the same condition as you but we are all here to support each other. I hope you feel in a better space soon.

Cx

[Gladwyn]

Hi stanns .... I’m so sorry it’s all getting to you. I know from experience how hard it is to struggle just to get about the house and do basic things. I use a small 2 tier trolley I bought from Amazon to buzz around the house and it’s made such a difference to me. It not only supports me as I move about but is so handy for all sorts of uses ... taking towels from bathroom to the washing machine and generally is a carrier lol of things I need close by me inhalers tissues wipes book I’m reading etc etc. It cost about £40 I think and is by aidapt. Stroller Trolley. All the best x

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hi there and your post sounded like so many other member's previously. Myself included. I probably didn't post my concerns and fears but wish i had done. I did a lot of reading to find out there's nowhere better than here where you can chat with people who understand COPD etc. This time of the year is always hard for me too so i do sympathise with how you are feeling. Im on antidepressants but not everybody likes to go down that route. Good idea to chat to your doctor though. Your hubbie sounds like a terrific man and that must be a huge comfort.

Do come back whenever you want to - you are among friends here.🐿💕

[Jomo46]

I got a trolley free from the occupational therapists. I applied for a visit through social services but your doctors should point you to the right direction. When she came out she gave me a bathboard that acts as a seat to have a shower in the bath. Also the trolley which is great and a funny chair with a seat sloping down. I think they call it a perching chair. It’s really good for dressing, washing and ironing. She wanted to apply for a stairlift, but our savings mean we would have to pay for that ourselves. In the end we bought a used one for £500. She was really helpful.

She said I should apply for attendance allowance which I get now at the higher rate. If you apply for that get help to fill it in. You have to think of yourself at your worst and how often that is. I wake up at night coughing and sometimes choking with mucus. If I cough I wet myself. They ask how often, I said about 3 times a week which was right.

Social services have a team called maximise your benefits in Liverpool. They asked me questions and then they filled it in. You might want to tel the lung foundation helpline .

I feel so much for you. It’s so frustrating to see what’s needed but can’t do it. Everything I do takes about 5 times longer . If I get clothes in a washing machine and then a dryer, it totally exhausts me for the day. Getting washed and dressed takes about an hour and a half and I’m exhausted for half an hour. I’m lucky in that my husband is at home, but he also has problems with anxiety. Like you say, sometimes life is hardly worth living, but we plod on. Every day I go outside for 20 minutes. When I am really well I can walk it, but now it’s walk a few steps then rest. bUT the outside air lifts my spirits.

When I can see trees and blue sky, my spirits lift. Try to think about the little things you enjoy, a favourite tv program, a jigsaw, a telephone call to a friend/ relative. Plan them into your day. I find I can’t reach the floor but I have a long brush and long dustpan . I now have a grabber that will pick things up. I’m going to use a shopping delivery service as a next step as shopping is exhausting.

Also exercise. When like this it seems impossible, but doing a bit does give you more stamina. Talk to dr. or lung foundation helpline. I did the rehab course ( through doctor or consultant) I was surprised how much stronger I got . I do some of the exercises everyday now, for perhaps 5 mins at a time.

I’ve also started using the patient ambulance transport service. I ring up a week before. They come for me, take me to the clinic and then back home. Bad points are that you have to be ready 2 hours before and often wait 2 hours for getting home.

Do you have a copd nurse at your doctors? Perhaps you could discuss a way forward that is right for you. We nearly all go up and down with symptoms but also the depression side of things. I do hope you begin to see a few chinks of light. I’ve realised that it’s ok to be a bit selfish.

What area do you live in?. Tell us more we’ll all help if we can.

Xxx jo

[Oshgosh]

Do you get attendance allowance?

[Dedalus]

You should contact social services as they should be able to help in various ways to aid with your problems. Good luck x

[mogs302]

You should devote all your energy to getting a cleaner. Call around, advertise, use a cleaning service, pay a young relative--use your whole bag of tricks. Your whole life will be transformed, and your husband won't have to work cleaning after putting in a whole day at work. I have COPD, and cleaner has transformed our lives.