I was diagnosed with Mild COPD around a month ago, I am aware that mild is better than other peoples diagnosis, but since being told I have felt worse and I can feel my Mental Health declining which I am assuming is because I have been told.
I already take antidepressants but wanted to know if anyone else had a similar experience for their take on things, is it likely to pass?
The thought that COPD will not get better only worse terrifies me, just the thought that my lungs have not got full capacity makes me feel worse and I feel like I have a death sentence.
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OWhynow
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Just an idea, but joining an asthma and lung online group might help you. They have a copd monthly group, they also run a mindfulness course. Hopefully the link I have attached will take you there.
Hi I just want to say it isn't necessarily a death sentence. I have Mild COPD which was diagnosed in 2015, so nearly 9 years now, and my condition has only slightly deteriorated. I use a couple of inhalers every day and have a rescue inhaler which I rarely need. Yes, I can't run about like I used to, but I'm nowhere near my death bed yet!
Well managed lung diseases take years to deteriorate. Yours has been caught early which is good. Your lungs have been built with excess capacity (overengineered is the technical term, I believe) and many people manage a decent life with not fully functioning lungs. My sister-in-law had one lung removed as a young woman and lived a full, busy life. She is now 89. Have you been given all the advice you will need on how to stay as healthy as poss?-healthy eating, exercise, breathing exercises, applying for pulmonary rehab. The nurses on this site are very helpful and reassuring tel. 03002225800. Self management is the start to feeling better about things- knowing you can do a lot to help yourself. Good luck.
I have had COPD 28 years as I know of, I think it is moderate. thing with COPD keep as active as possible and keep away from smoke. COPD is progressive but it's far from a imminent death sentence.. I have had Asthma for 40 years and COPD for 40 years and am still here. Lots of good advice already been posted.
Its always a shock to be diagnosed with such an illness. But to put it into perspective I got a mild diagnosis in my mid 50's. The doctor said 'Don't worry about it as something else will get you long before then'. He was right and now I am 70 and still at the most mild/moderate.
I now know old age will get me before my lungs do.
I was diagnosed with mild COPD nearly 2 years ago… Lung function declines in everyone, COPD or not… If you’re lucky enough to be diagnosed when the disease is mild then you have a chance to take remedial action: no smoking, good diet, exercise… Most people don’t get an early warning, it might not seem it now but I think an early diagnosis is a lucky thing… PS I also had panic attacks etc when first diagnosed, it’s a big label and can ‘take your breath away’ my advice is to focus on the positives and get as healthy as you possibly can and then hopefully your lung function decline might slow to a near normal rate
Hi. It seems like you have been given lots of great advice and the support on this group is fabulous.
Keep researching and follow the advice and you will know your symptoms of flare up and be able to manage your condition to live a healthy life without the fear.
Hi this is a challenging time for you coming to grips with a new diagnosis is really unsettling and something that is going to get your head around .I felt the same way about my diagnosis of copd mild,bronchiectasis and asthma in 2014 not sure what to expect and after the 1st year and getting lots of information the right exercise and medication I know how to cope with it mostly. I Don't let my conditions rule my life and I adapt to how I feel on the day to give me a positive outlook for the future. I really hope you get all the support you need. Best wishes
When I was diagnosed with COPD in 2015, my level was moderate COPD. I joined this chatroom, followed all the suggestions for improving my health: stopped being a couch potato, ate healthily, kept weight at a healthy level, took my inhalers as prescribed, avoided getting infections, did a Pulmonary Rehab course, and started a singing for lung health group which is still running over eight years later (I had stopped smoking many years ago). The result? My readings are now at the bottom end of normal, so I've improved to mild.
Yes, I have had to accept that I won't be climbing any tall mountains without using transport any more. I have changed my mental self-image to accept this new me, and have different hobbies and goals now.
Our minds are powerful allies in the fight to be well. The mind can also be a dreadful enemy. So start making choices for health rather than death. Take each thought prisoner and change all the negative self-talk to positive. All the best.
Good morning OWhynow. I think you are the same as us all. On being told we have copd. We know there is no cure as yet. But an article has been posted on here today about promising treatment for this disease. We all get the body blow of knowing there's no cure yet and think it's a death sentence. But it isn't. Ask about Pulmonary rehabilitation courses and educate yourself about keeping exercising and keep your lungs working. Also look to see if you have a Breath easy group in your area for people with Lung disease for support. Brian
Don't get too anxious OWhynow, mild COPD can be a bit like Asthma, I have had it for around 15 years now with very little change except the lung Xray appearance. Its a life limiting disease, which means changing life style to deal with the problems it brings especially the breathing. I use three inhalers to control symptoms, but as I get older it is a bit more tiring and my pace is slower. You will find lots of help on the Asthma Lung condition site as already suggested.
I also fell into depression for a short time after being diagnosed as mild over 10 years ago. I remain in the mild stage and will work to stay that way for as long as I can. I walk outside or go to the gym, keep up to date with all my shots, and try to stay away from anyone who has a cold or flu. In the beginning, it took a short time to find which inhaler worked best for me. I take Trelegy once a day and rarely need to use a rescue inhaler unless it is for the occasional seasonal allergy. I credit this group for helping me get through my diagnosis and coming to terms with it. People are wonderful here and will give you some great advice.
Greatest thanks to everyone who have been so encouraging and taking the time to respond, lots of good advice and I am definitely going to look into Pulmonary Rehab course, I will struggle with the excercise part has I am very overweight with Osteoporosis where I cannot walk longer than 50 foot without needing to sit down stop. Does anyone have any suggestions on excercise where mobility is limited?
Seated yoga or seated pilates are good. I use hand weights for upper body strengthening if that could work for you.If you are lucky there might be a hydrotherapy pool near you. Gentle exercise in water is suitable for nearly everyone.
Pulmonary rehab will help you, they are used to people with limited mobility. Also maybe look into seated yoga and pilates. There was a lady in a wheelchair at my pilates class and I did seated zumba till my teacher moved away. 😪 I have severe copd with bronchiectasis changes but have improved my lung function to the point that Harefield transplant unit are discharging me , in six months, as I no longer fit the criteria!
I really feel for you as your choice of names tells me you are a worrier, someone who frets all the time. You cannot help it so I guess you are still learning to live with it. And this makes it worse. COPD is indeed one of those diseases which only gets worse. But how fast is up to you. And taking control of it may give you a better focus, something to hold on to and abate the fears?
So let us start with me sae history. I am now 80 (28 years older) and have severe COPD which was first identified as a risk about 22 years ago and a fact about 15. But well before either I had done the most important thing - given up smoking. I was a heavy smoker from about 15 to 50.
It was a family thing and it turns out so is respiratory disease. It killed my mother, her mother and three of her sisters. All smokers too. I have a full brother (shared father) and two half brothers (shared father). But they have no COPD; both me and my brother do. So genetic from mum plus smoking.
When I was diagnosed I had just beaten leukemia so felt capable of anything! I decided to fight it and here I still am. On Oxygen 24x7 now but I get out everyday for coffee (on a scooter - me, not the coffee!).
So to advice:
First, stop anything that make it worse, like smoking.
Second, learn all about your disease, about your lungs, about breathing.
Third find your local COPD team and use them as much as you can.
Fourth, ask them to enrol you for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Course. This is a 12 week x two hour course of light exercise and guidance and advice. I have been on 11 and they are utterly brilliant. Why 11? They are as much a self-help group as anything!
And finally, keep reading Health Unlocked - you will be amazed how helpful we can all be!
From the day we're born, we all face an inevitable death sentence; there is nothing we can do about that, but we can take steps to make the most of the hand we have been dealt. Learn all you can about the condition, accept there will be scary bits, but also a whole raft of things you can do with a positive mental attitude to improve your future life. I've lived with COPD for the best part of 30 years, and although I am now officially severe and on 8/litres of O2 per minute, I still know there are things for me in the future. Good luck with your journey, it will probably be much longer than you imagine right now.
Yes I went through the same the minute I was told I got very depressed stopped going out had no one to talk to and the ones I did have to talk to well it very nice respectfully towards my feeling so I suffered in silence for fews then came across this forum and my mood has lifted feel better in coping with my copd
I am in the middle of being assessed for it, came as a total bombshell. I too am scared and wish the tests would be faster so that I get inhalers or whatever the treatment may be. It's very depressing and scary.
I've a LOT wrong with my lungs but ea diagnosis I see as a positive.when know the cause of yr symptoms, u can learn how best to manage it better, moving forwards and learn how best to stop it getting worse or slowing the progress down.treatments, self management and support all are essential.
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