Beathing Laboured today.

[pollyjj]

Have had some sort of bug the last few days, headache and generally out of sorts. Seemed much better yesterday and went out to a meeting, but breathing not good. Got up this morning feeling o.k. but breathing still no better tried to do a bit of ironing but stopped after about 15 minutes, my legs feel like jelly and I feel exhaused wondered if this was because of inactivity of the last week. Not sure whether the breathing is the change in temperature.

I am a bit dissapointed as I have been really well over the last 12 months, wonder if it's just that I am worrying about the winter on the way. I am terrified I may have to take prednisolone they make me feel so ill it takes me ages to get off them.

*polly

[Hidden]

Hi Pollyjj, We have all had some sort of bug that made us feel really exhausted, legs like jelly, headaches, my husband started with it last Thursday and his breathing has not been great - lots more coughing and we wondered if it was the change of weather. Dont panic - easy to say! - just take it easy and give your body time to just fight off the bugs! We were told that COPD sufferers should watch the following symptoms, more coughing, change of colour of phlem and more breathless - if two out of the three worsened it was time to take action. Heres hoping it is just a blip and in a day or so you will much better. Best wishes. TAD xx

[pollyjj]

Thanks tad, will take your advice.

*polly

[valm]

Just be careful of an infection hope you feel better soon x

[pollyjj]

Thanks val, hope you are back home now and on the mend.

*polly

[valm in reply to pollyjj]

Slow recovery this time urgh wish I was home x

[Hidden]

Any worsening of normal everyday symptoms could be an indication of an infection, you need to act promptly if it is that.

Concerning worries about the winter months, lots of self help information to help take good care of yourself during the winter months are usually included on a pulmonary rehabilitation course. Also check BLF's pages living with a lung condition or check out living well with COPD dvd. Knowing is one thing, taking the required action is what increases our changes of getting through the winter living easier.

Living with a lung condition:

blf.org.uk/Page/Living-with...

Pulmonary Rehabilitation:

blf.org.uk/Page/Pulmonary-r...

Living well with COPD DVD:

blf.org.uk/Page/Living-well...

PR video blog:

blf.healthunlocked.com/blog...

[Hidden]

Ps my breathing and activities levels are affected by the humidity after the recent rains, but I still do exercise even when it is more difficult, this helps prevent a deconditioning which will happen if I stop exercising every time breathing becomes more difficult. On more difficult days I just take things slower and rest when I need to but then continue when I have recovered. It is of course ok just to have a rest day when you need to also, but if you find most of your days are rest days you need to chat with your doct about this. Deconditioning happens quickly if you don't exercise at all.

In your case please do check with your doctor asap if you are feeling unwell. Take good care.

[dollysgirl in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Zoee, your piece has made me feel more positive about my own condition and how I was going wrong in managing things recently.

Am going through a similar thing to you, Pollyij, and was beginning to feel concern; just can't seem to shake it off since the humidity at the beginning of August. Feel a bit better knowing I'm not the only one. Anyway, Zoees' advice makes sense.

[pollyjj]

Thank you everyone for your advice, I will take it.

Take care everyone

*polly