A newbie

[Chocksaway]

Hi I’m 61 and I was diagnosed with COPD around 3/4 years ago. I was doing ok with a few infections in between until I got really bad last December. I was hospitalised on the 19th and arrived home late on Christmas Eve, anyway my breathing has been much worse since then and I’m now being investigated in case it’s something worse, happy days. Meanwhile I can be heard gasping round the village walking our Labrador puppy 😀

[sassy59]

Welcome to the forum Chocksaway. This is a really friendly forum and good to be a part of. Hope you get the help and support you need and chat more soon. Xxxxxx

[Chocksaway in reply to sassy59]

Thank you sassy xx

[madonbrew]

Hello and welcome 😊

Sorry to hear you are struggling! It’s hard in the process of investigations isn’t it. I find it’s the waiting to know that is stressful.

There are definitely some extended animal friends here too so your Labrador puppy will be right at home too! What is his/her name?

[Chocksaway in reply to madonbrew]

Hi and thank you. His name is Rigby, we live in a village called Digby 😁 I did a pulmonary rehab course 2 years ago a few months after losing our old dog. I’m really not into going to the gym, but find it hard to motivate myself to exercise, and thought that getting another dog would help and it has, but being so much more breathless now is a challenge.

You’re right that the waiting time is the hardest, my son goes to Brunei on Thursday for work and I think he was hoping to know the situation before he left, but it’s going to be a few weeks yet.

[Ergendl in reply to Chocksaway]

Rigby from Digby - I feel a music hall song coming on, in the style of Burlington Bertie.

Walking is a great way to improve your fitness as you can make it more challenging as you improve, without too much difficulty - a little further, or a little quicker, when you're ready.

Do try singing too. Look up diaphragm singing exercises on You Tube, and then use that skill to sing all your favourite songs.

[Chocksaway in reply to Ergendl]

😆I know, my husband picked the name, he thought it would be amusing.

I think the walking is helping already and thank you for the singing tip, I had wondered if it might help

[Ergendl in reply to Chocksaway]

Plenty of research showing it is. Just a shame that we can't run face to face singing groups at the moment.

[Chocksaway in reply to Ergendl]

I will have to start at home and make sure that the neighbours are out 😁

[HungryHufflepuff]

Hello and welcome 😊

I’m sorry to know you’ve had such a difficult time lately. Hopefully the investigation will get to the bottom of it and you get some results soon.

[Chocksaway in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Many thanks 😀

[CDPO16]

Hi and welcome. It's good that you are managing to get some exercise walking your dog even with worsening breathlessness. Waiting for test results is worrying in itself and I hope you get some answers soon. Best wishes and let us know how you go on.

[Chocksaway in reply to CDPO16]

I will and thank you

[Oshgosh]

Welcome to the forum.i have found it really useful and supportive.im jealous of your puppy, I would love another dog,but can’t manage 1at the moment.

I hope your tests come back ok.

[Chocksaway in reply to Oshgosh]

Luckily he seems to be a bit lazy, thank you for your kind words

[garshe]

Hi welcome. I was diagnosed severe COPD over 10yrs ago . Still coping and getting around so theres always a light at the end of the tunnel

Hope your breathing gets better. I find it's all to do with the way you breathe so you dont cause a panic attack. Good luck. xxSheila 🥰💕

[Chocksaway in reply to garshe]

You’ve hit the nail on the head, I think the breathlessness causes me quite a lot of anxiety

[garshe in reply to Chocksaway]

That was my problem. I do take 0.5mg of Lorazapam if I am going out for the day. Not always but it does ease the anxiety. A Paramedic picked it up with me. He told me I was suffering from Health Amxiety, it's because I think too much sometimes. I have learned to control it and honestly makes a huge difference. Remember this when breathing. Smell the Rose's hold it then blow out the candle with pursed lips slowly. In other words breathe in slowly through nose then out slowly through mouth . I now do it automatically and havent suffered the panic attacks .the trouble is thinking too much you can forget to breathe. Climbing the stairs I breathe in on first step then out on 3rd and so on

I get up the stairs in one go now. Hopefully this will help you. The Lorazapam is only half a 1mg tablet ,so tiny but it works. As I told the doctor I am not depressed or a worrier but I do think of my COPD and causes health anxiety. Good luck xxSheila💕💕 I will have you running around before long. Ha ha. Be Positive as this works also xx

[Chocksaway in reply to garshe]

I was given 2mg diazepam but don’t take them as I like my wine in the evening 😀and the pack says No Alcohol. Does your lorazepam say the same? I do try and slow my breathing down when walking the dog but it’s not automatic yet.

[garshe in reply to Chocksaway]

I only take 0.5mg Lorazapam. I wouldn't take any higher .I dont drink Alcohol so dont know about that. I only take Lorazapam occasionally and find a pack of 14 tablets lasts me 3 months as I only take half a 1mg tablet . Sheila. X

[Chocksaway in reply to garshe]

I will certainly ask about it, thank you

[watergazer]

Hi and welcome. I found this community to be really helpful and supportive as well as down to earth with a touch of much needed humour. Anita x

[Chocksaway in reply to watergazer]

Thank you, I’m glad that I eventually found the site

[Karenanne61]

Hi. I too am 61 and diagnosed with bronchiectasis, emphysema/copd and asthma (tho always had asthma). 4 years ago following complete respiratory failure, coma and mechanical ventilation. Always the drama queen! 🤣 I had to be dragged to rehab, hated the gym but moved onto classes which I I love. (Miss them now but manage a few virtual classes) I find this page informative and friendly. Welcome.🙂

[CDPO16 in reply to Karenanne61]

Hi, just wanted to say how well you have done to come through all that and rehab yourself to the stage you are at now. Best wishes and I hope that you stay well x

[Chocksaway in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you for saying that

[Chocksaway in reply to Karenanne61]

Oh my goodness what an awful time that you’ve had, I’m so sorry!

[Karenanne61]

And the same to you! 🙂

[Dedalus]

Hello and welcome

[Chocksaway in reply to Dedalus]

Thank you

[Chocksaway]

We had Housesitters for several years looking after our dog and chickens, met some lovely people along the way

[Chocksaway]

I’m glad that you had some great experiences, after our last dog died we got rid of the chickens and were animal free for 2 years. I hated it and now we have our puppy.