what help can I get

[philcoe]

I have been diagnosed with COPD and have trouble walking far and also when I bend down I get out of breath, my legs have swollen dramatically and I have trouble getting about can I get further help as I am not sleeping well and have to sleep in a chair as I can not lay flat

[HungryHufflepuff]

Hello and welcome 😊

If you are sleeping in a regular chair with your feet on the ground, that could be causing your swollen legs (there are of course other causes) Have you tried sleeping in bed but with either several pillows to prop you up, or a wedge pillow or adjustable back support? This could get round both the problems of your swollen legs and difficulties with lying flat. To avoid bending down can you get a ‘grabber’, I don’t know the proper term, it’s like the things people use to pick up litter. If it’s when tying your shoe laces can you try either sitting down and lifting your foot, or standing and putting your foot on a chair.

Wishing you all the best.

[HungryHufflepuff]

completecareshop.co.uk/hous...

This is what I meant about the device to pick things up. They’re really useful.

[COPD123491 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Hi

Just had a look at this site. Brilliant. Many, many thanks.

Regards

Kevin

[Kristicats]

Hi Philcoe

If you are struggling with your breathing perhaps another chat with your Doctor is in order to make sure your meds are doing all they can for you.

Also it may help to get an assessment from social services Re any help , adaptions and advice. Age concern are very helpful also. Perhaps this site British lung foundation may be able to give advice re coping and finance. Is your leg swelling a new thing? You need to get help with this and ask your GP to get you a nurse home visit to assess and help with this oedema. Meanwhile try to keep your legs up as much as possible above heart level. Try your bed with lots of pillows to stop the wheezing/ coughing and a pillow to get your legs up a little higher. Sleeping on a chair is not doing your body any good .

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with all of the above. You may be surprised to find out how much help is available for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. There is lots of supportive people on here with similar problems. Cx

[Oshgosh]

Loads of pillows are good in bed. I can’t lie flat on my back, but bought a side sleeper pillow from Dunelm. Along with an assortment of pillows, sometimes ending up on the floor. I manage some sleep on my side. Sleeping in a chair could explain your swollen ankles.

Sometimes it’s a lot of little things that make life easier. Take care

[Meme50 in reply to Oshgosh]

Sounds like me I have pillow mania 🙂

[Hidden]

Ditto all the above, also Adult Care through your local council

[sassy59]

You’ve had some brilliant replies philcoe so hope they help in some way. Take care xxxxx

[SORRELHIPPO]

As above have said, Social Services/Adult Care very useful. I worked as an Occupational Therapist and often used to go out to people with your problems, could supply some equipment for free and advice on other stuff, which needed to be purchased. Best to get what you can for free, so keeping your money for what the state does not provide.

[Caspiana]

I think you have many helpful replies philcoe . I hope things improve for you soon. Best wishes to you. xx 🌿

[Hidden]

Just to add to the great advice already here - if you have feather duvet or pillows get rid of them! I loved my feather duvet, but am breathing much better since ditching it and the pillows. Xx

[2greys]

Bending down, you may be compressing your stomach, try spreading your legs apart to give you a space for your stomach to go into.

[oneeyedjack69]

I too cannot lie flat . I’ve overcome this problem by elevating the bed head by a foot or more so that the bed is effectively sloping. Swollen feet and ankles may well be overcome with diuretics.

[garshe]

I find it is all to do with breathing technique. If I dont co concentrate on my breathing I go into a panic attack can you speak to your respiratory team

When possible please go on a pulmonary rehabilitation course they help immensely.. good luck x Sheila 💕

[Eastend555]

OK PHILCOE HUFFLE GAVEYOU GREAT ADVICE SLEEP WITH YOUR LEGS ELEVATED

MY DOCTOR HAS GIVEN ME WATER TABS BEEN TAKING FOR 2 MTHS BUT THERE NO GD.

SINCE THIS CORONAVIRUS I HAVE NOT BOTHERED WITH DOCTORS DONT WANT TO BOTHER THEM

MY ANKLE HAS SWOLLEN UP OK GO TO A@E STOCK ANSWER

ALSO PHILCOE TRY AND GET OUT FOR A WALK DAILY

SORRY I DIVERSIFIED A BIT THERE ITS ME AGE LOL

TAKE CARE BE SAFE

[philcoe]

Thanks every one for your valuable tips will start implementing some of them straight away.

[Mezitonka]

The sudden shortness of breath when bending over is caused by the abdominal organs etc being compressed, subsequently pushing upwards into the diaphragm thus severely limiting its downward movement. This is a big problem for copd sufferers as it is necessary to breath much more deeply due to the alveoli (micro air sacs where oxygen is transferred to the blood) being damaged or destroyed. This deeper breathing is the only way to get the remaining alveoli filled up. If downward movement of the diaphragm is impeded this filling up is suddenly reduced. The worse the copd, the greater the reduced filling up. For people without copd this isnt a problem as they have sufficient (nondamaged) alveoli to cope. I have just this problem, too.

The only (partial) solution is to get fitter. Very gradually. If the muscles are fitter it means in large part that they are more efficient at utilising the oxygen they get. So, even if your air intake etc doesn't improve hugely, your muscles will utilise much better the oxygen that is delivered to them.

I went through this process over an18-month period, and still plan fo improve further. It's astonishing what you can achieve. On my own 15m makeshift course, eg, I can do over 700m on the 6 minute walk test compared to a max 350m previously. I also started with very light resistance training, which has got a lot better. I live alone and so have had to self-motivate. If you have some support at home it would help a great deal. Start very modestly, in fact embarrissingly modestly! But just keep at at.

Walking is great. Do 50m slowly maybe twice a day 3 times a week. Just keep building. No excuses not to!

Ask your gp about what kind of moderate resistance training you could start on, twice a week. Also ask the gp about the local nhs copd rehab unit, which involves, typically, mild aerobics. You really should try this, as otherwise things will only get worse, slowly but surely.

Diet is a huge thing too. It cannot be stressed enough. I consume large amounts of fruit and veg now, which really has worked wonders. Along with it, slowly but surely I lost a stone in weight as well. Go on, have a go!!!

[Izb1]

Hi Philcoe and welcome to the site. I cant improve on all the good advice you have been given, there is alot of help out there you just have to seek it out. Good luck to you, I do hope you find what you need x

[gillmorecanter]

Hi Philcoe! I too have COPD and struggled to find a comfortable sleeping position. A friend suggested I try to sleep on my tummy. At first I found it uncomfortable but now it's the only way I can get a good night's sleep. Took me a while to realise it but I actually sleep in the recovery position and with quite a thin pillow. The swollen feet can be due lack of movement as we tend to sit for long periods of time. If walking about doesn't help you could try leg/ ankle exercises but as others have suggested see or speak to your doctor for further advice. Good luck!

[Lynnetp]

Hi, you’ve had some great advice from the lovely people on this site. I just have one little thing to add which literally was a game changer for me. When bending down breathe out. This was advice given to me from my brilliant COPD community Specialist nurse. She advises to breathe out on exertion, ie going upstairs breathe out as you take the step up, breathe out as you bend to put on a sock or shoe (from sitting)

I hope this helps too, it really did for me

Stay well

Lynne x

[MedievalNerd]

Hello, it’s so difficult to get an appointment with a medical professional and all I can advise is to keep on trying. My swollen legs and ankles problem was solved by changing my medication for high blood pressure so it may be that you could ask about side effects of any medication you take? I have found that help for anyone with COPD is there but you need to follow it up. There are hospital rehab courses where they test how far/fast you can walk and where you can exercise and join in group discussions. I found it helpful to join a local group called Breath Easy, who hold regular meetings, so look for something in your area. If you contact The British Lung Foundation they will be able to give you details of any local groups. You may be given a nurse contact at your local doctors surgery. This is a nurse with special expertise and knowledge of COPD who can prescribe for you and discuss your symptoms. I have a grabber for picking things up, a walking stick to help with my balance and a mobility walking aid. I hope the answers you receive to your questions will go some way to helping you.