Morning everyone
Went into hospital for a few days before xmas with an exacerbation of my copd, came home 23rd dec, under care for a while of the rehabilitation care team. Can anone tell me if its normal to still feel as weak as a kitten? My breathlessness seems much worse than ever, everyday life so hard at the moment and deterioration is frightening. any idea of normal recovery time from a bad flare up? Any advice welcomed.
Mick
My experience is that it takes a very long time to get to where you were before. But what it does do is act as a wake-up call. It has shown you what will happen if you don't don't follow the good advice given over and over again on this site as regards self- help with breathing. Welcome to the forum where there are lots of members ready to help you.
Thank you for your reply Donald, I do follow all advice given, its just so frustrating, just over a year ago I was working nights as a carer, now im retired and just making a cuppa has become a chore!
That's why I've described our lives as being like riding on a roller-coaster. We go down at great speed but getting back up is very slow. Now that you have retired you can take it easy and enjoy the ride back up Just relax with that cup of tea.. 🙂
It certainly a roller coaster Donald. My theory is that maybe I took it to easy and perhaps Im not as active as when working causing my fitness to drop? Anyway cheers. 🍵
If your theory was right I'd have died some 20 years ago.😊
Lol, thats made me chuckle🤣
It does take time to recover from any exacerbation and yours must have been a particularly bad one. All you can do is go with the flow. Don't do anything that doesn't need doing-housework for instance, try to eat small nourishing meals and when you feel up to it do a little gentle seated exercise. You will start to get better gradually, but your body has been through a rough time and needs to recuperate. xxx
I disagree here, you must dust and hoover often!
Dusting gets up my nose. I prefer to let sleeping dust lie. Vacuum 's different. I do use my trusty Dyson when I'm up to it.
I’m told the dust and stuff doesn’t get any worse after 3 or 4 weeks. I bet you only vacuum to show off your Dyson 😜
My Dyson is a dinosaur🦕🦖, bought when I was feeling rich. Though the vacuum service man says it's better made than modern Dysons. It's so heavy I bought a cordless Bosch to use upstairs. Funnily enough the cleaning ladies prefer the lightweight Bosch, which has relocated downstairs. I've been having cleaners for the last couple of months-It don't seem natural to watch someone else doing my jobs. xxxx
Rarely did that when I felt well🤣
Yes it takes time.read up on aluk website on controlled breathing techniques, which will help whn struggling.theres an ALUK helpline too mon-fri 9-5
Thank you
Try ringing or emailing the ALUK helpline . I find the advice helpful . I caught this flu bug which exacerbated my COPD/ asthma too ..it knocked me for six .just starting to move around a bit now . Take care
Best wishes
try not to worry about breathlessness as it makes it worse. Use the controlled breathing techniques that will help you. You’ll feel weak and tired for a while so keep resting and don’t push yourself too hard.
Its the trying not to worry about the breathlessness that I find very hard tbh Mopsey
I know what you mean. When you’re breathless it can feel like you might die but you won’t! You must try mentally to relax and slow down your breathing. Keep trying 🤞
Yes, as suggested by Patk1 and Knitter, please don't hesitate to call us if you would like to chat through any questions or concerns on your recovery or management - 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday on 0300 222 5800 (if you're in UK)
We're very happy to chat.🙂
Thank you. I suspect that I may avail myself of your help at some point. 😀
I'm in exactly same position chuff, just had this flu virus I was on the brink of being taken to hospital managed to get a rescue pack from doctor. Just over a week and I'm on another 5 days of steroids, the breathlessness is still bad but I'm sure it will take time, I've another week off work so hoping I'm a bit better by then. The more you think about the breathlessness the more anxious I'm feeling. How are you supposed to do your job when your like this? Its Scary.
Jane
Yes Jane, it is scary, but its something we are all going to have to get through I guess.
Mick
Sounds like you are suffering health anxiety. This brings on panic attacks. .these are horrendous as you feel you are dying..on a positive note you wont die from a panic attack just slow your breathing down. It's hard But it works. Breath in thro your nose hold it couple of seconds, then slowly out thro mouth with pursed lips.this technique works on climbing stairs or any incline..remember there's no rush slowly slowly until you master it..I know it's not easy but hopefully you'll get there.Good luck xxSheila 🙏💗
Oh I will get there Sheila, not so keen on the alternative! 😂 Thank you 😀xx
Hello Mick. Your story is very similar to mine. Just over a year ago, I was working, going on long dogwalks , and zooming through housework. Then all of a sudden (it felt like to me) I had to rest after showering, as i was so breathless! I tried to push myself, wondering how I managed to get so unfit, and lazy. Through help from this forum and my consultant, I am prioritising self care, (chest clearance and gentle exercise when able) and fully agree with Donald's roller coaster description. Hope you feel better soon x
We do sound similar, I walked to the shop for a newspaper every day,then totally out of the blue had to rest several times, going for a shower, getting dressed etc etc Everything has now changed, but am following advice on here and start to feel better soon. Take care Rosa x
The only time I was hospitalised with a COPD flare up, it took me ages to regain any strength. I wondered then if I'd ever to get back to a better 'normal'. Be gentle with yourself and patient. Whenever you feel able maybe do some very gentle exercises but don't try and rush things. As Donald said, we're quick to go down but slow to get back up again. If you have anyone who can maybe take you out, even if it's just for a drive in the car, I find that lifts my mood which has a knock-on effect on how well you feel. I do hope you feel better before too long but enjoy your retirement and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Best wishes, Sally xx
Thank you Sally, it has certainly knocked me for 6 thats for sure, but the upside is Ive found this very friendly and helpful group, thanks to everyone for your kind and helpful replies xx
This group is a treasure. Not only for all the support you get from others, but I have learnt so much and feel much better equipped to talk to my doctors about possible treatments. x
best wishes to you.hope you recover soon.youve had a terrible time.
hi it can take several weeks before you begin to feel yourself again depending on your age ? the older you are the longer it takes so whatever you do just let nature take its course try relaxing and enjoy your retirememt and your cuppas !!
Thank you ......tragically Im out of ginger nuts.....
Hi I'm the same. But with me came out on a Thursday. Tested positive for covid. On Friday. This was 5 weeks ago. Can't hardly do anything. On oxygen but still feel rough no energy breathing not great. Hope you get better soon.
I can offer some empathy here - I was admitted to hospital on the 5 December with a severe, non infective COPD infection. In for five nights, came home then developed a chest infection needing two lots of antibiotics. My recovery is being monitored by my community respiratory team and I start home rehabilitation next week. Still quite weak, although if I sit Still I feel better, but that's not ideal. I can't do eve the smallest tasks without becoming breathless - I deal with it by stopping, then leaning forward, sitting down, leaning against the wall (whichever is at hand) and concentrate on trying to breathe as steadily as possible, keeping as calm as possible , and sometimes I curse on the out breath (honestly it's helps!) I do get my breath back eventually but it's important to take my time. Hopefully we'll get a bit more better soon, but I believe it can take quite a while
Im on a waiting list for the rehab, 8 weeks apparently, respiratory team seem to think that I will benefit from it, so looking forward to that. I also do a lot of wall leaning, and my language would turn the air blue.🤣 We will get better jodew, just have to have patience, take care.
Hi Mick. I have been hospitalised 3 x with pneumonia. On each occassion I struggled to return to my usual self. Keep eating well and do exercise daily. Ask your GP to refer to a pulmonary rehab group. This will help. Wishing you a quick recovery xxx❤️
You could have been describing me there Jodew 😄
Good luck with your recovery, sound advice given by everyone here 😊🌷💐🌸
I’ve found it takes a while to overcome any illness/ flare ups. As I’ve got older that impacts too much take care xx
Still waiting for diagnosis
Palliative care, does it still exist?
STILL IN HOSPITAL
Still feeling poorly 
