I'm so sorry for all of the questions - I was only told I had COPD last week. My FEV1 was only 50% on my last tests about 2 months ago, so they said I had moderate COPD. Made the mistake of researching this on google, then had severe anxiety attack, so called Nurse Helpline and a few other numbers.
They seem to think that FEV1 can improve with pulmonary exercise rehab [I've organised this]. My main concern, as I mentioned in my last post, was that I could still live a long life. They said I could, as long as I
- exercise
- take all my medications
- keep all of my doctor's appointments
- lose weight
- eat a healthy diet
They also said they have patients in their eighties. [Sometimes hey had to change their medications as they got older].
I'm seeing a respiratory specialist in 4 - 6 weeks [I'm only a few days out of hospital after a bout of pneumonia]. Before I left hospital they changed my symbicort inhaler to trimbow, twice a day.
I guess I just wanted some reassurance that what the nurses told me was correct [I'm so sorry but my anxiety makes me second guess everything].
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
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puddy68
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You certainly can live a long life as medication has advanced and people look after themselves and are looked after better. Be sure to get flu, Covid shots etc. and keep away from anyone who has a cold.
My husband Pete was diagnosed with COPD (chronic bronchitis) in 2010 and is still here. He’ll be 73 next month.
Yes you can. I was diagnosed in 2004. I am still here at 76. Pulmonary rehab is really helpful. I have lost weight and have a healthy diet and that has helped too. My medication has changed and I am now on Trimbow, which I find very good. Good luck.
I’ve got severe COPD but mild symptoms. I too googled it when diagnosed and worried myself sick. Don’t Google it, rely on the experts and people on here who live with it. Exercise is key to helping your lung function and I got myself a little treadmill and use it a few times a week if I don’t go out. Don’t put on weight as that will affect your breathing, so eat normal foods but not too many sweets! Don’t panic about it as people with moderate COPD can live a very long time. Practice breathing for when you’re out of breath and enjoy life. Take care x
Hi my Dad has moderate COPD at 87. Yes he does PR twice a week. Has healthy diet and is slim. So yes you can live a long happy life . Wish my Fev1 was 50!
It worked for me, puddy68. I was diagnosed with moderate COPD in 2015. My last assessment was mild COPD, with readings at the bottom end of normal for my age.
Following the advice here helped turn my life around. I took heed of member Toci's warning not to commit suicide by sofa. Pulmonary Rehab was the start. Running a weekly singing group has also helped.
None of us know what's going to happen tomorrow. I just try to live my best life today and let tomorrow look after itself.
hi you are doing everything right and I am sure you will live to a ripe old age. Keep exercising and do the rehab but after the course keep the exercise up. Eat heathy if you can I like my food too much!
But try not to worry, it is what it is and just be mindful that being fit is the key, so no sitting around all day!
the main thing, i think, is to not worry too much - we all age and our bodies age and wear and tear and we still carry on as best we can, some days will be better than others but you learn some of the triggers (eg winds, cold air) and learn how to manage - i was diagnosed with emphysema some 10 years ago and initially the shock of it was really scary (smoking for 30 years was the cause), i stopped smoking, was on ambulatory oxygen for about a year, then got taken off it as there was no need any longer, i now go swimming regularly - this was something i never thought i'd be able to do again, because of the breathlessness and wheezing... pulmonary rehab will help you learn how to gently push yourself, and your lungs, when to let yourself stop and have a break etc.
Lots of positive advice on here. There are some decent sites on Google- the NHS one for starters- but ignore the scary ones- they are totally wrong about lifespan. The people on here know better.
I was diagnosed with severe asthma in1999, and with COPD a couple of years later. I haven't seen a specialist since then, but with the right inhalers (which have been changed from time to time) and a desire to continue my outdoor interests, I feel life is still worth living and I can still do enough to make it so. The advice everyone here has given you is spot on, especially the truism to avoid suicide by sofa!!! Make sure you keep your lungs as pliable as possible by exercising most/all days and keep away from people with infections, as lung infections can further scar the lungs. Diet to loose weight if you're overweight but keep muscles toned by exercise, walking, stretching and weights.
I completed the NHS pulmonary rehab course three weeks ago, it was very good as in highlighting the areas I'm weak. I've signed up for my area's Cardiac rehab course run by the district council. It's similar to the pulmonary rehab but more intense.
Other classes you can try are Tai chi, beginners pilates and singing for breath. Never stop and never give up!
PS, if you can give a dog a good home (and if you like dogs) there is NOTHING like a dog to make sure you get out of the house every day!
You've had great advice.all I can add is be aware anxiety can cause breathing problems.if you haven't already,it is worth accessing help to try lessen it eg every mindsmatter - take a look at their website.also at aluk website at controlled pursed lips breathing - it helps anxiety and also going upstairs,walking,exercising
Hi Puddy..like you I was diagnosed with mild COPD in my early 40s The advice you’ve been given is spot on so follow it and never go into denial or you may further damage your lungs. Your on Trimbow because Symbicort i is an Asthma inhaler.. I’m on Trimbow too. I’m now 87 by the way
You dont say which of the diseases you have but I wi9ll guess emphysema. Me too plus bronchiectasis and pre-existing mild asthma. I was formally diagnosed in 2006 by biopsy (the only certain way). At that time my FEV1 was about 52% so comparable to yours. It is now `8n years later, I am still her, my FEV has fallen to 295 (!) I am on 2-3% oxygen 24x7. Life is still preferable!
Advice - keep in touch with the COPD team - they know all there is to know. Do NOT relky on your GP surgery. Do the PRS courses as often as you can. Do exerciese as much and as long as you are able. Do take the meds but make sure that anything given other than by COPD team or specialists is checked against contra-indications.
And never forget - the best weapon in your armoury is a PMA - positive mental attitude. Chinm p at all times!
Couple of points - I was a heavy smoke until 1993 age 50. And my family has a genetic risk of respiratory disease. My mother, her mother, three of her five sisters all died of COPD related illness. My blood brother has it; my half brothers by my father do not.
You've had a lot of reassuring answers already so I hope that they have helped. You've been changed to Trimbow due to the COPD element of your condition. It has a steriod in it which will keep you from further deterioration hopefully but it's a maintenance drug, not a rescue one so if you feel poorly then still use your blue inhaler.
Exercise is key, that's why PR is so helpful as they push you to get out of breath in a controlled environment which helps with the fear of not being able to breathe. So many people with COPD stop moving because it makes them breathless but that is the worst thing that you can do.
Exacerbations (in your case, pneumonia) are so frightening, you never, ever want to feel like that again but it's also a wake-up call that you can't ignore your condition anymore. I speak from experience on that one!
)As others have said: take your meds as prescribed, exercise, get your flu, pneumonia etc jabs when they are offered, try to eat well, learn the different breathing techniques and lose any excess weight if you need to (something I'm not so successful at as yet 🙄) and keep asking questions. The more that you understand about your condition, the less frightening it becomes but don't believe everything on Google.
Good luck and let us know how your appointment goes.
Hi Puddy, I was diagnosed with mild COPD in 2004 when I was 68. I am now 88 with moderate COPD, so Yes! you can live into old age with COPD. There are folks older than me on this forum too.
Avoid for winter so as to avoid respiratory viruses which will put you in hospital and lead to a more rapid decide. Personally think this is far more important than diet etc
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