thanks for advise on here

[music]

have moderate copd and did not know how common it was and i must admit i was scared at first but reading and chatting to some people on here i feel much better and i just hope if i look after myself this will just stay moderate for many years to come

[Gordon57]

To keep you going until you've got the full info pack from the BLF, have a read at their website. I suggest you start at :- blf.org.uk/Page/Recently-di... (click on the bit that says www blf org uk to go there)

[music in reply to Gordon57]

Thanks for this i will read

[music in reply to Gordon57]

Gordon i am aged 55 and on seretide 500 the purple one but i feel ok i am also on the blue top inhaller has and when but have never had to use this i have packed up smoking and joined a gym but what is worrying me is that i am waiting for something to happen like not being able to breath

i will phone BLF but could i stay at the moderate stage for some years to come if i look after myself or do this disease just go on to sevear soon

[Hidden in reply to music]

A Think You Have Done Very Well Really Just Need To Stop Worrying .... Mine Went From Nothing To Grim In Year And A Half With No Help From My Doctor ......

Sorry If My Answers Are Bit Sharp But Think Its The Way I Was Treated Given Seriousness Of My Condition

[music in reply to Hidden]

dont think your answer is sharp at all and i would feel the same way

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to music]

I'm 62 and got diagnosed with very severe emphysema two years ago. I'm on 250 Seretide.I still work. I get short of breath if i walk to far or carry something quite heavy for too long and other bits and pieces. I just wait a minute or two then carry on. Most other stuff I carry on as normal.

[music in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

Thanks puff and wow you still work well there could be hope for me has i still work but cant understand why you are on 250 seretide with severe and i am on 500 with moderate but suspose we are all diferant.

do you still smoke

[Gordon57 in reply to music]

You could be waiting to have problems breathing for a long time, or things could change in a very short time. Everyone is different, that is the common factor between those who take part in these forums

If you have a chat with the BLF team they can go into specific things and help to reassure you. Because you're classed as moderate you will probably have many years ahead of you. There are people who were diagnosed in their 40's when are now in their 80s,

I'm also 55, not quite sure where I stand on the scale of bad to worse, but well past the moderate stage. I stopped smoking 4 years ago and have actually got worse since, who knows if I would still be here now if I hadn't, or if I'd have been breathing any better had I carried on with the ciggies. It's saved me money if nothing else.

Be careful what you read on the Internet - there are loads of sites, and some are very frightening. Stick to the BLF site for now, there's plenty to read there. Don't put too much emphasis on your condition, worrying will not help. Get the right information and you'll be OK.

[meldrum in reply to music]

your 500 seretide is what is called a preventor inhalor ,i use one 1 puff in the morning,and one at bedtime,keep using this ,even when you feel great try and relax, and not worry ,you are lucky you can go to a gym ,good for you and keep of the fags lol try and avoid people with colds and beware of germs ,wash hand reguarly ,especially when yir at the gym

[music in reply to meldrum]

thanks for info meldrum

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I work part time but it's the same part time job I had before being diagnosed.

I gave up smoking two years ago as it was found I had angina and also a very small heart attack that I knew nothing about. I don't drink so blamed it on the fags so gave up there and then. At the time I used to amateur surf with my daughters. About 2 months after giving up I found I couldn't walk 100 yards without gasping for breath. I was then diagnosed.

There has been quite a few of us on here who were ok until we gave up smoking. We find this odd as they say it takes years to get emphysema not a mere few weeks.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Just to add.I had a stent in for the angina two years ago and I had an echocardiogram a few months ago and my heart is as good as the average person.

[Lynne1955]

Hello Music. I'm 58 and moderate. Work for myself and do fine. I also go to the gym and work an allotment. I have Spiriva, which helps a lot, and ventolin which I hardly use.

This is a great site to learn about things.

Lynne xx

[charm_drak in reply to Lynne1955]

Hi just want to ask if you had any weight gain with Spiriva? Just been diagnosed and given Spiriva. Read some people complaining about weight gain. Help will be appreciated as I am learning about this.

Charmaine

[Lynne1955 in reply to charm_drak]

No, no weight gain at all. I did gain when I quit smoking two years ago, but I've lost that now.

Lynne xx

[charm_drak in reply to Lynne1955]

Thanks for the reply. Do you know of other groups that I can join. Don't like reading everything on the internet.. Are you the same or has your symptoms gotten worst?

Charmaine

xx

[Lynne1955 in reply to charm_drak]

Sorry, I don't know about other groups. My symptoms have stayed the same. In fact my lung function improved by 18% this year. The doctor put that down to losing excess weight and the exercise I do.

Lynne xx

[charm_drak in reply to Lynne1955]

What symptoms did you have. I have cough and phlegm but no breathless yet or breathing problems. Having tests next week to see what stage .What exercise do you do?. I just do walking but is happy to do more,

Charmaine xx

[Lynne1955 in reply to charm_drak]

No coughing or phlegm. Just get breathless on exertion. I mainly go to the gym for exercise. Mainly the treadmill, bike and rowing machine as well as some weights.

Lynne xx

[music in reply to charm_drak]

hi charm you need to find out if there is a breath easy group in your area there would be people there with same lung condition who you could chat to

[Hidden]

Hi Music

Have you rang the Helpline yet? No pressure but I think you really find we can help to clarify a lot of things. Remember never to compare yourself with others with the same condition, everyone is different as you can see from this community - two people with moderate copd are different and no reason why in 12 months time you shouldn't be as you are today.

Thanks

Mark

[peege in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Mark. This is very useful for we newly unwell or like me, awaiting diagnosis.

I was very disappointed at my 1st consultant visit not to be offered a CT. My GP suspects bronchiecasis or aspergillosis - I'm aware I need to ring your help line. P

[PollyP]

Music, hi,

Good advice from Mark. give the BLF a ring they are great at helping.

Have a great day!

PollyP

[copdber]

I was diagnosed 3 years ago as moderate I take sprivia and 250 sertidite ventolin when needed which I seldom take. 3 years on I'm still the same I don't work had to give up years ago when I was diagnosed with lupus. It took me a long long time to accept that everyone is different so I do what I can to stay healthy. I'd like to tell you that I've changed my life and that I've stopped putting things on hold but I haven't. Which must mean I still think I have the rest of my life to do things. O by the way I'm 55.

[music in reply to copdber]

thanks for info glad you have stayed the same and not got worse and it gives me more hope

i sometimes now forget i have this lung disease has i feel ok but i suspose that must be because of the sertidite im on

its funny have tryed to pack up smoking for years with no luck until i am told i have this copd i just stopped where i was frightend

its just a shame it has took has to being told you have this copd that i stopped meaning to late

[copdber]

Me too I did give them up 12 tears ago ans stayed off them for over 2 years I wish I had stayed off them then but thats life. Hang in there you'll do ok.

By the way are you working?

[music in reply to copdber]

hi yes but just part time helps keep my mind off it and gives me some excercise but i must remember that because im feeling good i must not go back to my old vises well some wont hurt lol

[copdber]

just stay off the cigies everything else is ok lol