I could really do with some advice. - Lung Conditions C...

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I could really do with some advice.

Pepsicoley profile image
26 Replies

Today has been an awful day for me (yesterday wasn't too clever either).

I've not been too bad for the last few weeks but yesterday I felt down and breathless - so breathless that I had to stop four times on the way upstairs (there are only 15 treads!).

Today, I have been really breathless and also very depressed - crying for most of the day.

I just wondered if breathlessness can come on with no warning when you have COPD. I also wonder whether depression is part of the disease.

I've been such a misery today that I haven't done anything at all. A friend is coming to stay for a few days on Thursday. The spare room is in an absolute state - someone is coming tomorrow to paint it for me!!!! I know that Richard will say everything is fine and not to worry but I am worrying. The paint to be used supposedly does not give off a smell.

To top that lot, I have a real pain in my calf - having had four DVTs before you can imagine that I am on tenterhooks. There is no swelling and no heat in my calf so I don't think it is a DVT but it hasn't done a lot for my mood.

I think I need you to tell me that I'm normal.

Love and hugs

Annec

xxxxx

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Pepsicoley profile image
Pepsicoley
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26 Replies

Hi Annec

Of course your normal.

Understand about the depression, I try very hard not to get down, mainly because my mum had two breakdowns and my sister was under mental health, I really don't want to go down that road.

Why have you not made an appointment with your GP, you could have a chest infection, also you should have your leg checked out, especially with your history.

Take care Annec

Peta.

xx

Pepsicoley profile image
Pepsicoley in reply to

Thank you Peta for your message.

This is going to sound so stupid but I 'can't be bothered' with my Doctor when I'm down - when I'm depressed I really don't want to know about anything and I don't want to do anything (I told you it would sound stupid).

I'll see how I am tomorrow and if I'm much the same I'll be going to see my Doctor (my husband has told me that I will!!!).

Thank you again.

Love and hugs

Annec

xxxxx

Bealings48 profile image
Bealings48

Sorry to hear this. It is very easy to fall into depression when you feel like you cant do what you want to because your body wont let you. I manage mine by having a little pile of little projects to do sitting down, a book to read, or a programme to watch - anything to take my mind of myself. Try not to go down the depression route - if all else fails get an antidepressant from the doctor - it is better to do that than go under. I have been there and now if I| get too low I dont feel bad about taking something for a month or two. I tend to get SAD in the winter and hope to get a lamp for it this year to help.

You sound very SOB so do see the doctor about that. Hope you are feeling better soon

Pepsicoley profile image
Pepsicoley in reply to Bealings48

Hello Bealings

I'm already on antidepressants (prescribed) and have been lowering the dosage over the last month. I was given them after my diagnosis of lung cancer and the dosage was upped when my son was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I have been checked every few months by my GP and it was he who suggesed that I try to give them up. I'm supposed to be seeing him shortly for another check.

My friend, Annie, suffers from SAD and I have often thought of buying her a lamp to help her but I haven't actually done it yet. She takes St John's Wort and reckons that is some help. Before this winter comes in I will buy one for her.

Thank you for your kind message.

Love and hugs

Annec

xxxxx

Hi yes am breathless most times and yes can just come on

yep i also think your quite normal

Is ok to feel bit flakey or down

All the best :)

Pepsicoley profile image
Pepsicoley in reply to

Hi Daz

I feel a bit of a fraud sometimes. There are so many people worse than me on this site and they seem to manage well.

I'm pleased that you told me that I am normal and that it is OK to feel down now and again.

You're a grand man.

Love and hugs

Annec

xxxxx

phillips1 profile image
phillips1

Annec, you aren't normal, you are special, very special. We all get down at times. Even super jolly Bobby gets down now and then. Being a woman you are lucky, you can cry. I can't cos my mum dinned into me that big boys don't cry. What a handicap! Bealings is probably right about antidepressants. My Sharon had a short course - about a month - and they worked wonders. Tomorrow, get your head in the air and walk round saying to yourself, I'm special.

Lots and lots of love and cuddles

from Bobby xxxxxxx

Pepsicoley profile image
Pepsicoley in reply to phillips1

Hello Bobby

I can remember my Mother saying much the same to my brother, Iain - big boys don't cry. I think that was mean (although I don't think she meant to be mean).

I will not be taking your advice to 'get your head in the air'. I am so clumsy that I'll probably do myself some damage. lol

Tonight, I'm sleeping downstairs - I don't want to go upstairs.

Thank you for your message.

Love and hugs

Annec

xxxxx

Aww sorry you are low today Annec, yes of course you are normal and special, you are a survivor, a good friend to many people, the best Mum for your Son and much much more, in fact you are probably superwoman :D, chin up lass, tomorrow is another day, Richard gives some good advice, I am sure your friend will be looking forward to seeing you and she won't mind some disorder. Just pace yourself tomorrow, do whatever you can before painter arrives, then if you don't like the paint odour take yourself out and get some goodies for Thursday. I am sure the room will look great when the painter has done his work.

Wishing you a good day tomorrow and lots of happies with your friend.

Loads of hugs n Love

BC xoxox

Pepsicoley profile image
Pepsicoley in reply to

Hi BC

Thank you for your message - it was lovely.

Peter, my husband, has said that he is going to sort out what needs to be done for the painting tomorrow. I'm going to make a real effort tomorrow not to be a miserable so-an-so. If I'm still breathless I'm going to go to see my Doctor.

Thank you for your hugs and love

Lots of love and hugs to you too.

Annec

xxxxx

in reply to Pepsicoley

Hope you find things calming down Annec. Sleep good xox

Pepsicoley profile image
Pepsicoley

Hello Stitch

After reading your message I think I may be suffering from something 'self inflicted' I had a real row with my husband the other day (my fault - not his). Maybe this episode is down to me being horrible.

I do feel that I have to depend on other people and although my husband and my friends say that they are happy to run me around I feel that it is an imposition.

I'm going to make a real effort tomorrow and try to stop feeling sorry for myself.

Love and hugs

Annec

xxxxx

nanaber profile image
nanaber

Hi Annc you wouldn't be normal if you didn't get down every now and then. I take an anti d I started them about 4 months after I was diagnosed with copd. My brother had died suddenly in the December and I came down with pneumonia and was diagnosed with copd in the March. I just couldn't cope with it. I already had lupus and the idea of having an other chronic illness was too much for me. The anti d worked wonders for me I would have stopped taking them after the 12 months but hubby's youngest brother died the following December and that sent us all just about over the edge. My son was getting married that April and without the anti d I know I wouldn't have coped.

So here we are now I'm still taking the little pill every night I need it. It's become part of my copd medication. I get breathless if I do anything even the smallest bit strenuous. I still am quite active so long as it means I don't have to walk up hill, I was at my sisters 65th birthday party last week everyone was up dancing and I was able to join in for one of two of the dances. It was a bit sad really seeing all my older sisters dancing and I couldn't but I have accepted that.

I guess I'm just trying to tell you in a roundabout way that things happen and it's very normal when dealing with a chronic illness to get down at times. But don't suffer with it if it pass quickly well that's great if not speak to your dr.

Pepsicoley profile image
Pepsicoley in reply to nanaber

Oh my goodness Nan

What an awful time you have had. What you say is so sad.

My GP told me that my antidepressant is difficult to come off so maybe that is why I am so down. I am due to see him soon so I'll let him know how things have been going.

Thank you very much for your message - you are really good to take time out to answer my moaning.

I hope that things improve for you and that you are without any more troubles for a long time.

Love and hugs

Annec

xxxxx

nanaber profile image
nanaber in reply to Pepsicoley

Aww thanks it's a time in my life I don't ever want to go back to. You just be extra kind to your self now and enjoy the time you spent with your guest. Hope you feel better tomorrow,

Hi Annex I am sorry you feel so down. But just think how happy you will be to see your friend! Lots of hugs!

Bev xx

Hi Pepsicoley, can I add my name to all the good wishes. As they say we all go up and down - when we're up we help support our friends and when we're down we come here where we can be sure we will be understood.

Lean on hubby a bit, I bet he understands and wants to help.

You'll be back soon to tell us your ok you see.

Take care love,

Chris xx

libbygood profile image
libbygood

Hello Annec,, I used to fret and worry if things weren't done, I couldn't do them myself and I can imagine how you feel because I had depression, better now I'm on medication although still get down days. Just lately I've been breathless moving about, was a few days ago then went just the opposite now today I'm breathless again, but the weather is very muggy and damp here (I tend to blame everything on the weather) anyway what I meant to say was that all of a sudden I stopped worrying and fretting over dust etc. I can't do too much housework and everyone knows that. Your friend is coming to see you not your housework, and yes you are normal feeling the way you do.

Lib xx

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees

My heart goes out to you Annec. I think its inevitable that we get depressed when we feel out of control with our condition, dependent on others no matter how close to them we feel, and often fearful, like you describe re the DVTs.

You are not moaning - you are asking for support which is what the site is for. Im sure the depression will be pass, hopefully asap. Take the time you need for yourself. Love jean x

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Hi Annec, you are definitely normal and not a fraud in any way. I have no real advice for you other than to see your GP. Maybe you need the antidepressants for a bit longer. Take care and let us all know how things go. Sending lots of good wishes to you and your family. xxxxxxxx

rick1 profile image
rick1

Hello Annec, I take antidepressants all the time and they do work, hope you are soon feeling better.

Hi again Annec, just to let you know I'm thinking of you and hope the painting is going well and you are out having some pamper time. Wishing you a very good day and evening and another good one tomorrow and for the rest of the week, week end and month ahead. :)

Best wishes BC x x

jacksgirl2000 profile image
jacksgirl2000

I feel tired most days too. I think it is because you are using so much energy to breathe and feel tired out. I also feel down and depressed some days. couple days ago I put a post up on this forum as I was feeling so down and got a lot of good feedback from people. it helps to know you are not alone.

frank65 profile image
frank65

get off down to your gp thats what they are there for

peege profile image
peege

hoping that all's going well for you Annec and you've had a lovely day after all that worrying xxxxxx

Hi Annec,your post only came up now!! Couple of days late,better late than never I guess,lol!

Big hugs to you, my love,do hope things are a little better by now,& you are able to enjoy having your friend there.Do be kind to yourself,& go & spoil yourself,you realy deserve it.

You have been through so much,for yourself,& for your son,you are a real hero,I realy admire you.Its realy time for you to get some peace of mind.

Don't stop the anti depressants yet,it's probably the wrong time for you.

I went on to 50 mgs of Zoloft,when I started to get panic attacks,about a year ago,found that realy helped,have been considering stopping,but as life is a bit of a challenge at the moment,have decided to wait a while.

I do realy feel for you,& am thinking of you,in thoughts & prayers,

Hugs & love to you,dear Annec,

Wendells xxxxx

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