Hi all I have bronchiectasis for 5 years suddenly out of nowhere I've had to go one medication for depression and anxiety ,it's hot yo the point I don't want to go out but do as I don't want to be stuck in .anyone else have same problem.
Anxiety : Hi all I have bronchiectasis... - Lung Conditions C...
Anxiety
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Willanna
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I can fully understand what you mean. I'm hardly out the door now and when I am it's usually with someone. I have no inclination to do anything or go anywhere and like you I don't want to be stuck in, at least I don't think I do. My mood has been very low for a while now but I don't want to take more medication. It's just feels like a vicious cycle 🌹
Think it all started with covid like a lot of people .I'm determined to over come it ^ get back to some sort of normality.
It probably did, for me shielding became too easy. I honestly didn't realise at the time how it was affecting me but looking back, my state of mind has deteriorated since then. I would love some normality but if I'm being honest, I find it very difficult. The worsening health issues makes me think what's the point? The wrong attitude I know 🌹
I used to go out most days coffee mornings , yoga , art club , WI. Out for walks
Most closed down when covid struck, but I have no interest in doing anything , going anywhere .
Panic attacks from nowhere ….breathing much worse .
I often wonder if I got Covid right at the beginning ….aching joints , everything tasted bad , sore toes .
Breathless but not my normal breathlessness , never felt right since .
I used to go on my shopping trips every day now I don't leave my home..haven't been outside for over a year ..I wish I could but I just can't. Xx.Sheila
I know you loved to be out and about , I have been thinking of you .
Oh Sheila, although I am so sad for you because you used to share all the lovely photos of you out and about from which I could tell what an upbeat person you were . I thought it was just me who can't go out (or have people round) apart from a couple of good friends who don't stay for more than a quick chat and don't expect a cuppa or anything. I feel less weird and silly knowing people like yourself are struggling too. Please take care ❤️❤️xxx
You are not alone believe me..my Respiratory nurse called today I have another infection so she has e.maiied my surgery for a rescue pack urgent..I'm losing my mobility by not walking around.. it's too much trouble to get dressed. My purchases thesedays are on the Internet and I only buy pyjamas and dressing gowns thesedays..
I look at my lovely clothes in my wardrobes and it breaks my heart I don't wear them anymore.
Take care and sending Welsh cwtches. XX.SHEILA
Oh Sheila that is so sad. I hope you indulge in glamorous pyjamas and dressing gowns. Lots of Essex hugs, Chris xxxx
Hi Chris. 2024 has been the worse year ever. My beautiful Daughter was diagnosed with cancer Dec 2023 and has really gone through so much A 6 hour operation, 5 rounds of Chemotherapy and 30 rounds of Radiotherapy..she has been so strong and never once complained. Watching her so ill was so hard but she has come out the other side . She was told after the operation they had got it all but the Chemo and radiotherapy was preventative and she could choose not to have it. She is a single Mum to my 16yr old Granddaughter and she did everything for her ..so proud of them both.
Let's hope 2025 will be a better year fingers crossed. Lots of love ❤️ xx.Sheila
Oh lord. What a dreadful time you've been through. I hope your lovely daughter gets the return to health and strength she deserves, and that next year brings much better things for you all. Love and very best wishes, Chris xxxx
Thank you Chris. She's back in work after 10months off. Both Hayley and her daughter Darcy went to Dubai for a holiday before returning to work. When you've experienced something like this it makes you appreciate the little things in life. I am concentrating on what I can do not what I can't .We lived in Dubai for years so it was great for Darcy to see where her Mum grew up xx.Sheila
This is a photo taken 26yrs ago
Me and Hayley . and Hayley and Darcy on Jumeira Beach.
What a set of glamour pusses. I'm glad Hayley is now better and I'm sure the medics will keep a watchful eye on her. It's good to think about the little things, which are still there for us, even though we can't do all the things we used to. xxxx
😢how this brought a tear to my eyes bless all your hearts for been so strong and getting threw a rough year for you 💕I’ve just lost my brother in law to cancer and it’s knocked me a little to be honest he was more like a dad to me I’ve known him since I was 2 I’m thinking off you . . . Hopefully next year is a better year for us all 💕
Yvonne xx
Thank you Yvonne. I am so sorry to hear about your brother in law. Unless you have been through watching someone you love go through this horrible disease, you will never understand how devastating it is. Watching my beautiful Daughter endure the operation and all the treatment was horrendous. Her treatment was hard and fast having both Chemotherapy and radiotherapy together. Every Monday it was Chemotherapy for 3hours .then across to radiotherapy same day. Then Tuesday, wednesdsy , Thursday, and Friday it was radiotherapy. . This was for 5 weeks every single day.. she was so brave and strong. Somedays she could hardly get out of bed to get to go but she soldierd on for her 16 yr old daughter as she is a single Mum. Darcy was going through her GCSE's and also it was her Prom year.Hayley went with her for her Prom dress and on the morning of her Prom ,she went at 8am for her radiotherapy then took Darcy for her hair and make up. Stayed on her feet all day and went with Darcy to see her with her friends. ..she came home collapsed but was happy she had done it ..Darcy had to go to school and do her exams every day whilst her mum was going through a 6hour operation and all the treatment.
How proud we were when she got 7 GCSE'S and is now in College doing her A levels. She did it for her Mum.
Then at last Hayley had the all clear but took the treatment as a precautionary measure.
They have just come back from Dubai and Hayley is back in work after 10months off.
2024 has been the worse year ever. But we are so grateful.
I am so sorry you didn't get the same result with your brother in law. My heart ❤️ goes out to you
Let's hope 2025 will be a better year for us all. Sending hugs xxSheila
Hayley and Darcy in Dubai
2 weeks ago. Xx
wot a beautiful picture💕 youve got a beautiful family 💕my brother in law had emphysema then lung cancer got told nothing could be done for him 2 weeks later he passed 😢my heart goes out to my sister as she as been with him over 40 years and were childhood sweethearts she’s lost and heartbroken 💔 . But we were brought up to not show to much emotion but since I’ve gotten older I realised it ok to show some . . .i don’t no why but I’m so proud of your daughter and granddaughter there a fabulous team 😊 to get where they are now to what they’ve been threw ( and yourself) have been an incredible journey especially with all the emotions what go with it .it can be a cruel world at times ,im so pleased you all as a family have come out the other side of it . . . .well done to you all for staying so strong hugs sent from myself to all your family 💕
Yvonne xxxx
Also Thankyou for your kind response 💕xx
I have emphysema in left lung and severe COPD also recently diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension. It's the 24/7 oxygen that has caused my problems this is why I haven't left my house for 12 months. Oh well onwards and upwards . I sympathise what your brother in law suffered as struggling to breathe is scary.
I hope you and your sister will be OK and I send my deepest condolences
🙏
Lots of love xx.Sheila ❤️
Darcy at her Prom xx
what a stunning picture 😊 I’ve also got emphysema copd. I’ve had it around 4 years now our hospital isn’t that good tbh I was under respiratory at the start but got discharged after given inhalers and got told go to gp if any problems I do get a yearly copd with doctors I don’t get rescue packs I have to go to gp or try get an appointment when ill but if it wasn’t for this site I wouldn’t no much about this Thankyou for your kind words we all just all have to plod on don’t we 💕 xxx
So sorry to hear how your life has changed recently, garshe . Big virtual ((((hugs)))).
I can relateI did have Covid and haven't been the same since. Also have a tummy problem that still hasn't been resolved. To cap it all. Dreadful cough started. I'm hospital. No treatment and told to go home. Sent sputum in myself
Result a bad bacterial infection. Oh boy was I ill!. Dr admitted me to cottage hospital attached to practice. I can't remember a thing about being there. Since then health has taken a real set back. Sleep is one. I wake up exhausted every morning . So you can imagine I too am on anti depressants and haven't been out in months. Also not finding joy in anything which is a real downer. Strength to us all! Blessings and love xxxx
Aww no !hope you start to feel better soon
I have been ill for many years, because of pain and and illness, I got depressed, I have had ADHD for my whole life, but was just recently diagnosed. I also have an anxiety disorder as well. My husband also has ADHD/Anxiety. My children all have anxiety some have ADHD. We have all gone through depression. One thing I have learned is that you need help to learn coping skills and things to help you make it through anxiety attacks and bouts of depression. You can't just will your way through it. You don't have to take meds. Meds really work for me, but they don't help my daughter. Find a way to be outside sit on the porch etc. Being in the sun and natural light can help. When you are in a bout of depression it is very hard to want to do anything or go anywhere, there are many ways to get help for this things not all of them involve medication. Please find the help you need.
I so agree with everything that evetybody has said. I coped with the ups and downs of living with a debilitating lung condition very well for most of my life. I had friends, walked my dogs, had a voluntary job as a guide at Shakespeare's School and went shopping and to the theatre and cinema a lot. Since my bad illness and long hospitalisation in 2023,, all of which was due to the professional negligence of members of the medical profession, the reduction in energy, pain and shortness of breath have robbed me of any enjoyment in anything. My dear sister comes every week and tries to get me to go out to lunch or doing something outside the house but I just can't be bothered because of the effort involved. My new little dog gives me a reason to get up and to struggle on walks for her. Living on my own with children too busy or too far away to spend time with me probably exagerates everything.I would never wish this on anyone but reading that I am not alone has helped with the guilt of thinking that I should really be making more of an effort.
Thankyou for sharing. I am thinking of you all.
I know how hard it is I am still hoping I will get out again..good luck xx
I miss your lovely photos of the results of your shopping trips. You always gave me such positivity. Hopefully when the worst of the winter is over we will metaphorically hold hands and venture out. My daughter popped in today and we took Lily to the sports field for a little walk. Having her with me gave me confidence. My love and thoughts are with you.
Hi its the getting out of the door in the first place that can hold you back,the scary thought of breathing difficulties too ,slowly I decided to go to the end of my road and build it up from there and the breathe easy gym once a week has been a lifeline for me to go somewhere where everyone else is in the same position it helps to talk to people and get me out of the house for an hour .I hope you can find a way to feel comfortable and less anxious soon
what medications have they put you on? I have this problem to can’t go out but really want to, I feel trapped and agitated which seems to cause more breathing problems. Have the meds helped?
I sympathise with you you are not alone..hope you can overcome this xx.Sheila
I'm on sertalian 50mg a day it seems to have helped a little it can take up to 2 months to fully work properly .so fingers crossed it kicks in soon .
This last couple of years I have had different medical problems leaving me fatigued and in pain. I have worked through a few of them but have only been going out for shopping or hospital appointments . I am quite lucky that I haven't suffered depression as yet but with not going out much am feeling lonely. My daughter lives in Wales and works full time so I don't get to see her often. At one time it didn't bother me to catch the train and go to see them and I was out all the time, but find now I just don't have the energy and am in pain walking too far, the more this goes on the more I dont want to go out. I spoke with my rheumy doctor yesterday and she has put me in for physio which I am hoping will help. I don't think the weather helps we all want to get out when it's warm and sunny. I have lots to keep me busy, crosswords, books, films and cooking. A friend calls in sometimes to take me shopping which helps. Strange but I am happy in my little bubble whether it's healthy or not I am not sure but think it's my way of coping and keeping me positive. If your not coping speak with your gp or give the helpine a ring. I wish you well x
Only a quick suggestion this morning as wife has an appointment with pneumolist at 2.00 pm and we have a 2+ hour drive. So quick suggestion, meditation. My wife listens to various sources on her mobile, closes her eyes for 10-30 minutes depending on the site she uses. Give it a go. If you need any web addresses I`ll be happy to send them. Have a good day, Chris.
I used to go out on my shopping trips every day. Unfortunately now I am on oxygen 24/7 I haven't left my house for over a year. One minute walking everywhere even with Severe COPD. Then Pulmonary Hypertension diagnosed and put on oxygen. This has prevented me from going out as I find the portable cylinder too heavy.. now I have health anxiety and can't leave the house. I have tried but get a panic attack and unable to walk to my car..I have accepted now that I won't go out again
The last time I left my house was October 2023.. I've now got into a routine and can't be bothered to make the effort..
I hope you can overcome your fear and manage to go out as the longer you leave it like I have it's harder.
I wish you well .take care xx.Sheila
In the summer of '23 I was dianosed with severe anxiety. It hit out of the blue but in hindsight it was not surprising with everthing I had going on. I couldn't eat, I could barely walk , leave the house, etc. just wanted to sleep or read. I was lucky. My incredible husband supported me, e.g. he'd take me on little walks around the lounge every hour to keep me moving. And, a gp at my surgery was amazing! Sorted the physical problems and encouraged me to seek therapy. It worked! It's been very hard work but I'm now almost back to my normal, theatre trips, days out, enjoying my family etc. Please , please seek help! Talking therapy really can help. (Mine was free, Oxfordshire Talking Therapy, but there are others) Good luck!
Well done Karenanne61 this sounds really positive and great that you have such a caring hubby x
He is but the therapy is hard because it's up to oneself to work with the therapist. I'm so glad I did though and highly recommend it.
Xxx
Anxiety makes everything worse and I find it can really affect my breathing. Luckily for me I love exercise and am able to do it. I have also managed to get into a habit where exercise is pretty much non-negotiable for me unless I am actually ill.
I agree with the suggestions to try mindfulness, talking therapy etc plus trying to get fresh air or at least enjoy any sunshine we might be lucky enough to get. I don't find meditation particularly helpful or easy but I find that spending time doing colouring or art work really helps. You can get wonderful coloured pencils these days (so no fumes from things like marker pens) and also lovely books to colour in. I like the really detailed ones personally because they take sufficient concentration to stop me worrying. And they are something quiet to do on days where I might be more tired.
I do find myself much more reluctant to go out and do things I might have done without a second thought some time ago. Plus I am scared of catching colds because that's when I get setbacks. Day to day is generally OK for me. But I do try to do small things regularly so I don't get in the habit of just staying at home. Going out to a local coffee shop at quieter times of day, for example. Or I will agree to see friends but make sure to have an "escape plan". I know it may sound silly but I fear being made to overdo things and having a supposed medical appointment or whatever gives me the ability to do something for an hour or two and then leave.
I do wish there was some panacea to help all of you. It seems a shame that so many nice people should be afflicted in this way. I can only hope that you all find a way out of this eventually.💗💗💗💗 xxx
That's the spirit. I'm sure they will. Just wish they'd hurry up a bit. xxx
I once had such severe depression, I struggled to go out. In a bid to change things, I put some notices around the house. On the front door I stuck 'Outside, adventure awaits'. On my dressing table I stuck 'Be a hero today'. In my living room I put 'Today is the start of the rest of your life'.
They did seem to help, by turning my problems into challenges.
I hope the medication helps you.take a look at ' every mind matters' as they offer a lot of help
I sympathise. I've felt the same at times. I have used mindfulness and tips to control anxiety. They worked for me. I also take Duloxetine which has really helped my mood. I do hope you feel better soon.
I think it’s two fold.
1. Anxiety, depression, fatigue & breathlessness making it hard to go out and do things.
2. For seven months of the year it’s hard not to be hyper aware of respiratory viruses that could potentially destroy even more lung function.
We’ve really been landed with the worst of the chronic diseases.
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