hi everyone I am Louise

[Wheezes]

I would like to talk about living with copd and how to enjoy a full life with the condition.

[eleanordigby]

You’ve come to the right place then! The majority of members have copd & I’m sure will be along to welcome you shortly

[CDPO16]

Hi and welcome to our friendly forum Wheezes. The asthma plus lung website have lots of useful leaflets on living well with COPD. If you haven't already done a pulmonary rehabilitation course, that too may be helpful. Your GP can refer you. The course consists of exercises designed to strengthen muscles and a talk section designed to educate you on how to live with the disease. If you have any specific questions a forum member will usually come along and try to help.

There are also posts about general interest things and fun posts too that brighten our days. I hope that you will be glad that you joined us.

[Wheezes in reply to CDPO16]

Hi there, yes I did the pulmonary rehabilitation course during lockdown shortly after I had a cancer removed from my lung. I have asked my go if I can re-do it because I have two years of experience and understanding of my condition.

Thank you for your kind words!

[peege]

Hi, I dont have copd but do wish you a warm welcome and plenty to learn from others here. P

[Wheezes in reply to peege]

thank you Peege, very kind of you

[garshe]

Just remember COPD is not Terminal but is Progressive. You can control this and slow the progression down with your lifestyle Firstly if you smoke stop now as this will help immensely. Speak to your Respiratory team about going on a 6 week Pulmonary Rehab course. Here you will meet others who will give support and there are talks which are very helpful. Excercise as much as you can. Doesnt have to be a Gym. My excercise is my shopping trips where I spend a few hours walking around shopping centres usually indoors in the Winter. I stop whenever I feel out of breath and have a rest .I try not to go out if the weather is very windy and cold as this does not agree with me. But as long as I am indoors in shopping centres I an fine

I dont know what stage you are with your COPD .mild, moderate or severe.

I am severe so everything I do is at a slower pace and I never rush.

I was diagnosed in 2010 with,severe COPD and it's still severe although my lung function is less now. I always remember that everyone's lung function reduces after the age of 27 so as I am 78 now it's a mixture of both.Old age and my condition.

I am grateful for every single day and remember there are others worse off.

Be Positive and try not to dwell on your condition. I did this in the beginning and caused Health anxiety and panic attacks. Thank goodness I have now learned to control these by breathing properly.

Do what you can do ,and dont worry about what you cant . I take everything at my own pace and never rush. What I don't do today I do tomorrow.

Good luck and theres always many on this site that can answer any questions you may have.

We are not qualified to give medical advice but between us all we have a lot of knowledge in this disease.

I was terrified when first diagnosed 13yrs ago and my best advice is dont Google whatever you do. I gave up smoking immediately and this has made a huge difference.

Just be Positive and be grateful for every day. Keep away from negative people as they attract negativity .

Take care and enjoy life. Sending love.xxSheila 💕⚘

[Patk1 in reply to garshe]

Great advice Sheila x

[garshe in reply to Patk1]

Took me a,while to work out the best route. Soon discovered its the Positive one..we all have our good and bad days but have to look on the Positive side. At present I am doing jobs at home..well getting the necessary people in to do them lol I'm just the Project manager 🤣🤣 Just doing makeovers ,new sink/vanity unit in Bathroom . New back door. Having oven and hob cleaned professionally. Just a little Spring cleaning early..it passes the time and love chatting to the workmen. dont know if they feel the same lol well they get numerous cups of tea. ☕☕☕☕off out as looking for new microwave. Just purchased new tumble dryer in Black/chrome which matches the washing machine. Now need microwave to match. Dint go abroad anymore and my shopping trips have been limited during cold spell, Need something to spend my money on xx💲💲.

Have a good day xxSheila 💕⚘👍

.

[Karenanne61 in reply to garshe]

Hi Sheila, We're having a new bathroom fitted! With a walk in shower, chair everything. The house is SUCH a mess though and I hate it, we usually keep it so nice. I'm thinking of having someone in to do deep clean when the builders are gone. And if course there will be more shopping for towels and accessories. Off to my Mom's now for a shower and a chat. Karen.

[Patk1 in reply to garshe]

They'll b glad of cuppas x

[garshe in reply to Patk1]

One left giving estimate on new PVC back door. At present sitting down with a,cuppa,to get over shock.😱not what I expected enjoy with your Mum xxSheila 💕⚘

[Wheezes in reply to garshe]

Hi garsher, what an amazing woman you are! Inspirational! I don’t smoke, stopped during my pregnancies, but found smoking in secret from my kids too stressful so gave up. I was diagnosed and then we went into lockdown, so unfortunately I have not had a great service and have to fight for everything!

I used to be a very active and positive person, and need to find the old me first. Thank you so much

[PaulineHM]

Hello Wheezes, I have had COPD for 20 years, maybe longer? What would it help you to know about living with COPD ?

Pauline

[Karenanne61]

Hello and welcome to this friendly, funny and informative forum. 🙂 Sheila has put it very succinctly and is always positive. I have very severe copd, diagnosed 2016 following respiratory failure and coma. I think I'm similar in age to you too. 🙂 It's very important to have a good, supportive, consultant and 'team', be that medical, family, friends, pets etc. Despite my initial horror I am now a big advocate of pulmonary rehab and continuing excercise. My preferred exercise, after shopping of course, is yoga and pilates. On my way to pilates and seated zumba now in fact! Any questions please ask! I don't want to bore you by waffling on!

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum. I think Sheila has said it all; concentrate on what you can do, not what you can't. BUT- there are some people so bloody minded that if you tell them they can't possibly climb a mountain they will go out and climb it anyway. I'd like to be such a person- would you? See you at base camp.

[Wheezes in reply to Alberta56]

hi Alberta, unfortunately I am one of those people! I shall be 64 shortly but still believe I am fifty! I haven’t come to terms with my various health conditions! I have even done loss and bereavement counselling. Ok everyone is saying exercise, so this is going to be my first step. Thank you! Your positivity is infectious

[Alberta56 in reply to Wheezes]

I'm 81 going on 35 on good days; about 100 on bad days.

[Wheezes in reply to Alberta56]

you are an absolutely brilliant woman. Thank you

[Alberta56 in reply to Wheezes]

Blush!

[Patk1]

I dont have copd but other diseases of airways+lungs.welcome to the forum.its a really gd helpful and supportive group to b part of x

[Wheezes in reply to Patk1]

thank you

[Izb1]

Hi Wheezes and welcome to the site. I notice you have had a couple of cancers so you are a fighter and have come through this. This next round with copd I am hoping wont be so hard on you. There are quite a few members with this condition so any questions ask away x

[Caspiana]

Hello Louise. I see you have so many great responses so I do not have anything much to add except to say welcome to this very friendly and supportive forum. 🤗

[Wheezes in reply to Caspiana]

thank you very much Caspiana! It is already working, the positivity is infectious. I am taking control of my life again! Xxx