I have recently discovered I have COPD and want to share my thoughts with you. Please read my below comments. Thank you for your help.

It is only by chance that I came across the health unlocked site which I found in the course of my looking for a reasonable answer. I am 84 years old and for the last 4 years I have been complaining of shortness of breath. My cardiologist who is monitoring my condition after I went through an aorta dissection procedure has attributed this condition to either lack of exercise or excess weight. I’m in no way obese but maybe about 15 lbs above should be. It is only a month ago when a chest x-ray revealed something never heard of as being the so called COPD. Since I discovered that I kept on top of the internet sites in this subject and was left with the impression that it is not curable but should be monitored to delay death and improve life style. Different information also left me with the impression that it is known to have a life span of 4 years. I presumed that this period starts from the time it has been discovered. This means I am now either overboard or not much time left.

Having read the information given from this site, I now have mixed feelings of disbelief, hope and most of all a feeling that there is still something I can do to have between me and myself a better lifestyle. Make no mistake I don’t intend to live another 10 years, but at least I want to know the actual stages that I should expect. I have been reading messages from members of the forum, some of whom claimed having had COPD for the last 20 years. Some of them for a shorter period of time but certainly with above the 4 years average while at the same time they are not even thinking of the end stage. My condition is that the last x-ray showed “few emphysematous bullae”. I’m on oxygen on doctor’s orders 16 hours a day and I have inhaling medication twice a day and under normal day activities I breathe quite easily but breathing becomes difficult as a result of doing any effort like going to the bathroom. I now swim half an hour a day and have changed the pool filtration system from chlorine to ozone.

I would welcome and be grateful for comments, remarks or suggestions but would like all to understand that it is lifestyle and be able to maintain dignity. That is my aim and since I believe that if it isn’t through COPD it could be through other unexpected accidents or diseases that have nothing to do with COPD.

[Hidden]

At 84 years young you are a inspiration.keep with the exercise and enjoy life as you see fit glass of wine included.

[Hidden]

Hello Roushdy,

Well done for swimming daily, try to keep this going as exercise is very important.

Otherwise, please don't limit your life with setting a deadline for it! I was told I had COPD 5 years ago though I was diagnosed much earlier. I know people who have had COPD for 17, 20 and 23 years. You may only have 4 or 5 years left but may just as easily have 10-15 or more. Be sensible with your medication, your diet and your activities. And ENJOY.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mary

Thans a lot for your reply. I certainly needed this encouragement and the way you put it is very effective and wise. As I said in my note it is not a question of life or death, it is a question of what style of life and what should one do to maintain a reasonably comfortable and dignified life. You will be please to know that I am quite active, always doing something which although at a volume which in no way can be compared with my profession but still keeps my mind busy and now with the few friends I am making with this forum I consider myself very lucky.

Will keep in touch.

[Mulie]

Hi Roushdy

I can only re-iterate what the others have said to you here. Take no notice of the "4 year" deadline; some websites are quite useless. You sound to be doing better than many of us younger ones and I do so envy you your active lifestyle - no reason why you should not reach 10 plus years more

M

[Hidden in reply to Mulie]

I saw my consultant yesterday and he repeated what you told me about the 4 years deadline being useless. Hope you are doing well.

[Harley883]

I am 71 and had Asthma as a child and I sort of grew out of it, then it returned when I was forty. I have recently been diagnosed with COPD. My sister also had Asthma as a child and never grew out of it, she's had COPD and been oxygen dependent for the last twenty years.

So everyone is different. Enjoy life, and don't worry about the COPD killing you.... a bus could do that! Hope not, but I think you'll know what I mean.

[Hidden in reply to Harley883]

You are true everyone is different but I must say that I was very lucky to find that forum and have a chance to meet such nice sympathetic and sincere group of people who although have their own cross to carry still have time to help and support others.