Hi to you all,
I have been really struggling with severe breathlessness for a good few months, I have stage 4 COPD. We just try and get on with it as we know that we are going to struggle more as the disease progresses. I had to ring 111 on Wednesday evening and although everything was good with me, the paramedics did all the checks, but said I needed to go into hospital , obviously there is something wrong somewhere. In a struggling NHS , I could not fault the service that I received, I was taken toHospital , waiting only minutes to go in to emergency unit. All obs were done, sats were low, chest was clear, bp normal, arterial gas test was done . Result. was that my body is holding on to the CO2 and it is that which was causing the problems, with my breathing, anxiety and fatigue,( I knew I was a retainer but I had done all the things that we are supposed to do to try and get rid of it. X ray was done which showed just worsening of my Emphasemia.
My consultant came to see me and said that there is no more medication , different to what I already have that will help, and I was told I needed to be on a home ventilator, which may ease my breathing and possibly a bit better quality of life, she also said talk with family and decide the options and that I had 2 years left before it finished me off. Obviously I was distraught, but I have got my head round it now.
Just wanting to know if any of you are coping with this and how are you managing.
I do have a husband who is amazing and a wonderful, supportive family so I do know how lucky I am.
love to all xx