Less Energy.

[Collie4]

Hello friends, I have copd which is controlled, i have had it since being diagnosed in 2007. Fortunately never been hospitalised though have gone to the hospital several times when had exacerbations which were helped by a nebuliser. I now have a nebulisar at home which is a comfort to know in case of need. I take Trelegy preventer inhaler and blue ventolin when needed. I also have arthritis which is debilitating. I know there’s others far worse off than me, so i apologise for having a moan!

However, these last few months i have found i can’t do as much as i used to,( inevitable i guess), and it is frustrating. Normal housework and looking after animals and occasionally grandchildren is so tiring now. I have to have frequent rests through the day.

Do others feel this way? I’m sure you do.

[peege]

Indeed I do. I was diagnosed with CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) in 2016 after loads and loads of blood tests. Its very debilitating and the only way I get by is by pacing. IE I used my new bus pass last Friday to visit lovely Ledbury, it took 3 buses each way (one was full of yelling sweary teenagers). I could barely get up for two days afterwards. I'm still not dressed at 1pm on Monday. I really do think it's worth going to your gp, there are other things that cause fatigue (& that's hard to organise when you're feeling knackered) so it's best to get medical advice. Good luck P

ps I don't have copd but asthma and Small Airways Disease. Just a bit of arthritis in hands and possibly one hip.

I do one Balance Class and one Fit for Life class per week to (hopefully) improve stamina and strength

[Collie4 in reply to peege]

Thank you for your reply. I think i might make an appointment with my GP and maybe get some blood tests. I had tests last year and my inflammation marker was high which indicated arthritis. I just need to feel less tired , and get a good nights sleep which i don’t.

[Collie4 in reply to peege]

I admire you for doing what you do, I hope you’ve recovered from your bus trip. Exercise is important. I see a chiropractor regularly and she gives me exercises to do.

[sassy59]

A lovely reply from peege and Pete can identify with feeling very tired much of the time. His breathing isn’t great and neither is his heart plus of course the chronic back pain. He’s 73 and feeling it.

Wishing you well Collie. Xxx❤️

[Collie4 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you for replying. I think tiredness is inevitable especially with these health problems as we age. Just have to accept and pace ourselves i guess. Hope you both are doing ok.

[sassy59 in reply to Collie4]

We’re ok thank you Collie. Take care xxx❤️

[Alberta56]

Much like you I have had much less energy in the last few months- rotten, isn't it. If you find a remedy, do let me know.

[Collie4 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you for replying. Yes it is rotten especially when you’re used to being active. I try to eat energy giving foods, and i guess they help a bit. I also take vitamin C and D every day.

[Ern007]

You are not alone - Lung conditions and heart conditions have took there toll on me. I think I was diagnoses with COPD in 1991 - Yes my energy is lowering , has been for a while and getting worse.

[Collie4 in reply to Ern007]

Thank you for replying. It’s good to know we’re not alone with our ailments and fatigue. I think we have to learn to accept. It is frustrating though isn’t when we get tired easily and less energy.

[Ern007 in reply to Collie4]

It is frustrating, I used to garden a lot, But these days I put off or at best not last very long.

[suef]

I was diagnosed with copd over 10yrs ago & it's a struggle as im constantly tired. I dropped a day in work as it was getting too much but still do 20hrs a week. Im a cashier in a busy supermarket & 65 years old. Hope you feel better soon. X

[Collie4 in reply to suef]

Thank you for replying. You do well to keep working , even though it must be very tiring.

[ledge]

I think there is a load of us with dodgy lungs who can identify with chronic tiredness. I think the secret is do little and often. I find that actually if I exercise, I set my timer for 3 minutes one day and build up to 15 minutes by increasing it a minute a day, it does help break the cycle of constant weariness. But on saying that there are days I drop like a stone. I can go to bed at 4 in the afternoon and sleep right through. Good luck Collie4

[Collie4 in reply to ledge]

Thank you for replying. Yes, i think exercise does help. Also, with the winter on it’s way is a bit daunting. It’s been lovely Autumn days so far,

[armstrong2]

hi collie it depends your age ? age has an awful lot to answer for but it is reality that has we age are bodies do to it is like a an engine even they let you down ....!! l am on trimbow and ventolin but will not have a nebuliser ...once you are reliable on one was told it was the last resort ??? l had to be on one for 10 days due to having pnemonia and l had to be weened off it over that 10 day period .....only put on it when needed...l wish you well but i suggest you have a chat with your gp to find the cause of your fatigue take care

[Collie4 in reply to armstrong2]

Yes, age certainly has something to do with it. I’m no longer a ‘Spring chicken’ and found it very hard to adjust and accept getting older, but so grateful i am still here and still independent even though i have to pace myself and do things much slower these days.

I’ve not used my nebuliser since i had it. Like you say, it’s a last resort, but a comfort knowing i have one.

I am going to try and get a face to face appointment with my gp, not so easy these days.!

Thanks for replying.

[Ergendl]

I've noticed that this year too. It has been quite a wet, humid year in the UK, which will have made things harder for us lungies as there is less oxygen in the air. Think I need to take the advice already given you, Collie 4, and arrange to see my GP.

Patients seeing their doctors as they're tired all the time is so common, it gets noted on the records as TATT for short.

[Collie4 in reply to Ergendl]

Yes, i agree, the weather doesn’t help unless it’s sunny and dry and not too cold. Our bodies react to extremes. Autumn not too bad at the mo.

[Izb1]

I have suffered fatigue for a few years now, but after my hip op last year I have found it really bad and have no energy at all. Having rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis brings this on but have other problems that stop me sleeping properly which adds to the fatigue. I am due to see my rheumy doc next month and will discuss this with her and see if she thinks I need further investigations. It could be something simply like a lack of b12. I am 72 but feel 92 at the moment lol. The problem is the more you sit around the less energy you have and the weather of course doesn't help. Get yourself checked out with your gp first x

[Collie4 in reply to Izb1]

Sorry to hear you suffer too, it’s quite debilitating i know to be tired all the time. I don’t sleep well either which doesn’t help.

I hope when you see rheumatologist they can help make things easier. My rheumy doc told me to exercise a bit each day and walk. Not easy when your body aches and chest complains .!

[Izb1 in reply to Collie4]

I am just getting over sciatica which isn't helping with my walking or sleeping but am trying to do things each day. Hope you find some peace with all this too x

[suzy-lou]

Collie , don't feel you are "just having a moan"! This is just the place to have a chat about how your lungs are misbehaving - many of us have been there, too. Good advice from all about going to see your GP to check if anything acute is going on. This would be a good chance to talk about how to manage your COPD for the future. I'm in the same situation just now and am convined that the humidity and the all the spores from dying vegetation that comes with autumn is partly to blame. ( Don't get me started on log burners.....!)Take care and much love.

[Collie4 in reply to suzy-lou]

Thank you for your reply. It’s so reassuring being able to talk on here to people who understand.

Log burners!! A big no no. My sister lives in a village in Scotland and when i visit so many people have log burners i have to wear a scarf or snood or not go for a walk, they are sooooo dangerous and people don’t realise.

[deejames in reply to Collie4]

I find car exhausts far more irritating than log burners. Drives me mad when people sit stationary in their cars outside shops or schools with the engine running. Concentrated fumes So ignorant. And against the law

We have one but only use extremely well seasoned wood. My gas cooker is a problem though. I always cough whilst cooking

[Collie4 in reply to deejames]

Yes i agree, car fumes are awful especially when we have lung disease, it’s so unhealthy. If i travel up the motorway i turn off the fan that brings outside air in when there’s a lot of traffic, which inevitable these days. Diesal fumes are dreadful. Lots of smells affect me. I can’t have air fresheners or chemicals in the house.

I like the smell of woodsmoke but too much would affect me. My sister has a logburner but doesn’t light it if i’m there.

I have a gas cooker but wish i had all electric. Always have window open when cooking as i don’t have an extractor fan.

People who don’t suffer with breathing problems take all these things for granted i think.

[Numptybrain]

Fatigue is terrible I’ve suffered with it a few years now but it’s worse since I’ve started immunosuppressants, I have no energy and I’ve just turned 62! So yes, I’m afraid it hits us all. Be kind to yourself.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Collie4 in reply to Numptybrain]

Thank you for replying. Yes, we have to be kind to ourselves. Since i’ve got older i have realised it’s so important to take care of ourselves .

[Germantara]

I'm the same never been admitted in hospital but been up bad exasperation and I am slower and also potter on then sit down for awhile but it's better to do that then over do it so I understand what you're saying

[Collie4 in reply to Germantara]

Thank you for your post. Yes, it is sensible to do things slowly and rest when we feel we need to. I have overdone it sometimes and suffered the next day.

[Thinkhealthy]

oh yes …. But I was always told to keep exercising to reduce the progression of copd. I’ve recently had lots of sciatic pain . I found a physio who does on line video classes - strengthening core muscles and it has really helped. They treat people all over the world by video link. It’s amazing really . Hope you can keep your spirits up x