Quick Question

[puddy68]

Hi there - I'm so sorry, this is my second post in 2 days. [Sorry Will57🙂] I have my psych appointment tomorrow - this COPD has really thrown me, to say the least. I'm absolutely convinced I only have a few years left to live, no matter what I read [and I'm now staying away from google]. I realised I needed help when I wasn't believing what I'm reading, and I'm driving my family crazy. I have just one question - would people be willing to share with me how long they have had COPD for? I'm sorry for repeating myself........I'm just reaching out for as much help as I can. God Bless.

[sassy59]

Hi puddy, try not to let anxiety win as it’s so destructive. Pete was diagnosed in 2010 but l believe he had COPD before then. Having sarcoidosis meant he wasn’t diagnosed sooner.

Take care xxx

[Nimrod2]

I was the same age as you puddy68 when I was diagnosed. 20 years later I am still here and I intend to be around for as long as I can. It is possible. Take care. Xx

[Spacecat1]

Hi. I Was diagnosed in 2008 and still here slower than usual my hubby helps me with things ie bathing, going out. Etc.

[garshe]

I am on 24/7 oxygen and intend being around for quite a few years yet. We never know how long we have and most people die from other diseases. COPD patients usually die from something else. I have a friend who was diagnosed 30yrs ago and is still here. It's not your COPD that's causing all your problems it's your health anxiety This causes panic attacks. Learn to control your breathing and you will feel so much better. Xx.Sheila

[Karenanne61]

Hi! I was diagnosed in 2016. I had respiratory failure and was on life support but here I am enjoying life! The therapy will help hugely. Do you have any hobbies or things you enjoy doing?

[puddy68 in reply to Karenanne61]

Hi Karenanne61, I'm thinking of taking up tapestry. I'm not very good with my hands, so we'll see how it goes!

[Karenanne61 in reply to puddy68]

Tapestry is all absorbing , and addictive! You can buy lovely kits for tapestry and embroidery online. There may even be workshops you can attend.

[puddy68 in reply to Karenanne61]

Thanks, Karenanne61!

[Butmish]

Hi,puddy, I was first diagnosed about 20 years ago and had to stop working in 2019 after a bout of pneumonia and plurecy . I'm 69 years old now and my advice would be to forget about dieing and concentrate on the things that make you happy in life.

[Ern007]

Hi Puddy,

I know I had COPD in 2000 (Millenium) and I was diagnosed at least 5 years before that.

Anxiety will make you misserable - Have you nothing you can do to place your mind in a better place.

I have COPD/Heart problems and Cancer but, I intend to be here a few years more, like most on this forum we are survivers,

You really need to sort your anxiety. I had my share and was unpleasent. I still do at times but it's managable.

[PaulineHM]

Hi Puddy, there are several ways of managing our thinking about this.

I tend to value quality over quantity as there is no way whatsoever to determine how long my life will be. Long ago I began to consider the quality of my life. How each day matters and what is important in everyday life to me.

This works for me rather than planning out a lifetime ahead of me.

Diagnosed 21 years ago and probably had the condition for 5 years before that. The quality of my life is still quite good and I am reasonably happy.

Hope the appointment goes well for you.

Go well

Pauline

[Dixy]

Nearly 5 years since diagnosis but it started several years before. Mine was picked up on a NHS project as a smoker or ex smoker being tested.

[armstrong2]

hi puddy l have had copd 12 yrs l am still here to tell the story and l am not going anywere to soon eitheralso had cancer twice and in remission please do not let your anxiety overtake your life because it will ruin the remainer of it for good ...life is to short if possible positivity is good thinking please take care x x

[gingermusic]

I have had COPD since first being diagnosed back in 1990 so have had it for some 34 years and I am still here

[Mopsey1897 in reply to gingermusic]

That’s very reassuring for me and others x

[Mopsey1897]

I was diagnosed this year but apparently I showed COPD changes to my lungs after a chest X-ray in 2020 but no one told me! So I’ve had it nearly four years unofficially but this year officially. I was pretty pi**ed off when I found out purely by accident reading my notes. Ah well hopefully what I’m doing now will make up for the loss of time. Try not to worry as you really will make yourself ill. no one lives forever but you could easily live until your 80. Keep healthy, exercise and do everything the doctors tell you to do x

[Nicholatracy]

this will make 10 years since I was diagnosed with emphysema. I also suffer with anxiety but try to live for each day. Nothing much has changed in my day to day life, if anything I seem to be more active,exercising about5 times a week using an arm machine which is kind of like a bike for the arms with pedals and a manual leg exerciser. I also go to the pulmonary gym on Mondays. My aim is to do at least 10 thousand steps a day but some days I do struggle a little. Stay strong 🐞

[Thinkhealthy]

had it for years but I avoid any risk factors and keep exercising. I’m lucky I don’t have anxiety issues which I’ve no doubt make it all much more worrying . Take care of yourself x

[Yendo]

Diagnosed in 2004 when I was 68, now 88 and still doing ok. You can live a long time with COPD. I try to follow the words of the Serenity Prayer:” Lord grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change . . .” All the best to you Puddy.

[puddy68 in reply to Yendo]

Amen to that.

[Ergendl]

I was diagnosed in 2015. I probably had it for some time before. Only found out by accident when I took a cable car to the top of Mount Teide in Tenerife and could not breathe when I got out near the summit. As soon as I returned to the base station I felt fine again.

[Hopeful1]

Asthma 1994. COPD diagnosed 2004, but probably there before. I am 71 and still enjoying life, just a bit slower walking than most my age but otherwise fully independant. The pulmonary rehab course was brilliant and I am sure would give you confidence in your future. Much can be done to slow progression and even improve function. Hope your appointment goes well.

[muddleaged]

Twenty-one years ago I was diagnosed as severe (FEV 1=34%). I pressed my doc for a life-expectancy. I needed to make my money last, and if it's a short time, I'll cruise until my money runs out! His response was, "You will probably die WITH COPD and not OF COPD. You will have a normal life expectancy IF you: Exercise, eat sensibly, maintain an appropriate weight, avoid sick people, take your meds, get immunizations."

Once I realized (through pulmonary rehab) that I was not going to die by being out of breath (look at those Olympic athletes after a race!), I built up to seriously exercising an hour a day, plus the other stuff. My FEV1 is now less than 20% but the medical folk seem pleased with how much I can do. I think exercise (which I continue to hate) is the key.

I have now passed normal life expectancy.

[PW_R]

As mentioned about its quality over quantity. How are your current symptoms?

[puddy68 in reply to PW_R]

Hi PW_R - my current symptoms are shortness of breath if I need to climb stairs or up a hill, or if I have to walk a long distance.

[Germantara]

Hi I was told when I was 55 years I came out docters and my thoughts were total doom I had to fight back tears I thought well I've not got long and I must prepare for my end so I stopped going out lost interest in majority off everyday things stopped going shops wouldn't buy myself anything cause thought waste off time couple years if that I be gone well I'm 63 and on inhalers for copd and I'm good so with the right inhalers or any medication it will be easier now I relize I got my mind out off controll but couldn't help it this forum with good helpfull peaple have taken away all my fears and now I understand alot better