C,O,P,D. Problems i have.........

[mike_newell]

Hi i;m mike i was first diagnosed about 6 years ago ,but in the last 2 year.

i have got a lot worse, i find it hard to walk for a long distances. i can only walk about 150 to 200 steps, then i have to stop to catch my breath back.and that takes a minuet or 2, and then i move on again,i also struggle to get up stairs to go to the toilet, because i have to wait again to catch my breath before i can go. i also find it hard to hoover up having to stop and start a few times.

And the medication i'm on makes me put on weight,i have put on 4 stone

in the last 9 or 10 months. from 9.5 stones to 13.5 stones and because i have C,O,P,D. exercising is very hard to do so i can not lose the weight and i was bad before i put on the weight

So does any body else suffer like i do......?

By Mike Newell a New Member

[mike_newell]

not to mention the benefits i'm not getting that make me house bound cos i can not afford to get in to my local town by taxi cos the bus stop is up a very steep hill what benefits should i be on any one ?

[Mulie in reply to mike_newell]

Mike - call the BLF help line and talk over your benefits with them. They have some specialist advisers on all Mon - Fri 10 - 6pm

Good luck

M

[mike_newell in reply to Mulie]

I only wish i could afford to make a phone call but the way things are i am on a very low income since i am appealing against a dissection over a year ago my hearing is next month it seems they have made things very difficult for my as a lone parent things are very tight

[Mulie in reply to mike_newell]

Mike - its a free phone number 03000 030 555, some of them are listed here too so you may be able to contact them through this medium and an sure they will call you at home.

Good luck

[mike_newell in reply to Mulie]

ar great thank you very much Mulie i will be phoning them tomorrow

[Mulie in reply to mike_newell]

No probs good luck

M

[silverjohn in reply to mike_newell]

Hi Mike

sorry to hear how your doing, i am same as you nearly, i have to stop every 20mtrs or so, just for a min or2. here we have DIAL A RIDE and i use them,so i wonder do you have anything like this in your area, it will save you lots of cash, they pick me up whenever i want, within about 15 mins either way and do theier best to bring me home on time i suggest, i am on oxy 24/7, cant do a lot but keep on going, take care regards

john

[Mulie]

Hello Mike

Sorry to hear you are having problems and I understand about the putting on of the weight as the steroid inhalers will certainly help! Having smoked until diagnosed about 7 years ago and then stopped, I have put on approx a stone and a half. Yes some of that is due to not doing as much as I used to and I have learned to do a little bit; sit a bit; think a bit; do a bit and probably doing much less in the process other than sitting and thinking!!!!

You must learn to pace yourself Mike and perhaps have a chat with your gp/nurse/consultant and ask about Pulmonary Rehabilitation courses whcih is light and gentle exercise usually with a physio and you will learn more. You may also want to ask if your medication is ok or does it need tweaking to help you get around better. Are you taking your inhalers properly? Daft as it sounds, that really helps. Took me years to get it better by using a small spacer - amazing how much easier it is with that little item...............

Yes I do get out of breath and have oxygen to help me as my sats get low when I stand up and walk around and outside I use a rollator to help me walk and rest on when I get out of breath.

Exercise doesn't have to be full on cross-trainers or multi-gyms! but it will help to do some.

Do keep in touch and let us know how you get on

M

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Hi Mike, So sorry to hear about all your problems and with this miserable weather! I dont have COPD but care for my husband who has moderate/severe COPD and like you although diagnosed 6 years ago has really felt the impact of COPD in the last couple of years. So I thought I would let you know what has helped us. We have never been referred to a specialist - honestly! But its ok. I found that the Practise Nurse has been fantastic help. She referred my husband to the respiratory team who came out visited my husband and have really helped including getting a referral to the pulmonary rehab - which has been a life saver! He has also joined the local Breathe Easy Group which has really helped him - just knowing other people have the same problems. Do you have a nebuliser at home? My husband finds that really useful when his breathing is very bad with salbutamol and my sister, how is a nurse, also recommended using a saline solution which really helped him during his recent chest infection. Don't give up on the walking - just take your time and try to stay active. Have a look at Derek Cummings COPD blog - bitzandbobz - he is very positive and has lots of practical advise. Good Luck and I hope that your breathing improves. TAD x

[Hidden]

Mike, Yes! you sound just like me - luckily i live in a flat xx keep smiling