Can I suggest that everyone who thinks copd is an automatic death sentence reads the attached article from the Lancet which was thoughtfully posted by Juliekay the other day. This is exactly what my specialist says and why I do as much as I can to exercise, lose weight and keep fit. I hope the link works. If not, just copy and pate into the browser bar.
pulmccm.org/2011/copd-revie...
Lynne xx
Thanks and the link works.
Thank you very interesting, but like other diseases often misunderstood so it up to those who live with it to try and re-educate the wider public.
nice one Lynne
Committed to an open discussion on living with lung conditions and will not judge them as right or wrong , only as those with which I agree and this is certainly one I feel able to agree with. Living really ought to be a first priority but that is only my opinion available on a take it or leave it basis.
Best advice to anyone newly diagnosed is that hopefully you will be classed as mild/moderate at worst (not all of you, obviously) and this is where your life has to change, giving up smoking immediately is absolutely essential, start taking exercise to get your lungs pumping and try to eat healthily, no need to go mad, just cut back on the things you know are wrong and if you are carrying extra weight try to get it down. When I was first diagnosed I did none of these things and consequentially my copd has worsened to an unacceptable level and there is no turning back. Read all the horror stories you can, scare yourself silly with what can happen if you dont make the changes, particularly smoking, and hopefully you will be able to make the changes now and the progression of emphysema will slow down so as not to affect your future life too much. George
In total agreement with this George 1945 the future is in our own hands educated, supported, positive attitude are the tools that hold the condition with greater effect than any medicine that is available.
I know when I've tried to re-assure people about their condition, I've mentioned that once they are diagnosed and receive medication to help, the whole thing slows down and you're going to extend your life expectancy. You do what you can to keep yourself healthy as you have the knowledge of what has slowed you down.
Depending on how soon the COPD has been diagnosed, the person could expect to live just as long as someone who does not have COPD. I've not seen it as an 'automatic death sentence' but have to accept , in my own case at least, that I'll not be able to do a lot of things I used to do, no matter how long I live.
Where I used to be an active nightclub DJ, I wouldn't have the ability to get myself to the venue, let alone carry my CD cases about or stand and dance about for 4-5 hours at a time. Where I used to be able to walk to the doctor's within 15 minutes, I now have to allow a good half hour so I can catch 2 buses each way.
Yes, it's good to read that I can now probably maintain the same FEV1 rate and it's not going to decline within a matter of months. The article explains that there is a faster rate of decline from having mild COPD, but that it eventually 'burns out' - not the COPD, the rate of decline. What seems to have happened to me over the last few years bears that out.
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