Climate that made a difference to COPD

[James48]

Hi folks. Have anyone spent any time anywhere in the world, where you noticed a significant improvement or less symptoms of COPD over any length of time?

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi sirjames, I haven't been away since I became ill so wouldn't know, but am looking forward to others responses, x Sonia x

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I haven't spent any time, anywhere in the world but I live on the east coast and visit the south coast every few weeks and stay for a week. There is definitely an improvement during my stay. I think the east coast has damper air as it's next to the North Sea whereas the south coast is near the Solent and normally quite warm.

[Riverbank]

I went to Brownsea Island in May, there are no cars etc on the island, my breathing improved after a couple of days and I could walk much further than normal.

I'm moderate emphysema, diagnosed 8 years ago.

[bayleyray-uk]

The Maldives,

Lovely clean air because there are no cars, just the odd pickup to deliver luggage to the cabins, hot weather with warm sea breezes (even the rain showers are warmish). The evenings are a tiny bit cooler but I could still sit outside and not have to have a scarf over my mouth which I had to do even this year in the summer. Unfortunately the islands do not have medical facilities that I might need so no more visits, still I can daydream remembering beautiful blue seas, white sands paddling with the fishes on my way to breakfast.

Sue x

[peege]

I too look forward to your replies. I'm selling up and shipping out of my beloved London in two weeks. I haven't decided where to live yet but hopefully spending the coldest winter months in South of France. Will let you know!

In the meantime, read up on old posts from Canalchris. He, his wife and dog drove down to South of Portugal last winter. He was so much improved he was planning on selling up and moving there permanently.

[katkat]

Hi sirjames,i have severe empasima and i visit turkey icmeler resort, twice a year i feel so much better and my breathing improves so much so that i hired a bike and after a bad start ha,i was everywere for hours on end, there is no way i can do this in England , going back next week , cant wait take care katkat

[fredbear]

I believe it's a case of trial and error, as so much depends on the cause and severity of your COPD. That said, I find avoiding extremes of temperature works for me and it probably goes without saying but it definitely helps if you can move away from town centres. I hope it doesn't sound selfish but, September in Sussex was bliss for me this year.

[Lolly2]

Hi sirjames,

I have been fortunate to have lived in many countries over a period of 40+ years. My COPD did not give me many symptoms until I quit smoking, and 4 years later had treatment for cancer. Apparently, my cancer was not related to my smoking, but my COPD symptoms certainly are!!!

I find that extremes of temperature are difficult for me now. Damp, warm, muggy days make my symptoms worse, conversely, a windy day is very difficult. The best kind of day is warm with a light breeze----to keep the air fresh. (I now live in south west France.)

There are other factors such as pollution to consider in a warm country. Are you considering a move?

[jeanielee]

I am moving to southern spain next year,I can't vouch for long te.rm improvement but when here on holiday I always feel much better

[lulu5555]

hi I went to Murcia region in spain where they have salt lakes I felt great I to have copd. Hope this Helps

[jeanielee in reply to lulu5555]

I will be visiting the salt lakes in Murcia when I move to spain next year it will be about an hour drive from where we live.

[lulu5555 in reply to jeanielee]

Hi could you keep me updated on your move to Spain as we are thinking of going .

[jeanielee in reply to lulu5555]

Will do Lulu we are moving out the end of May so will be intouch

[juney_99_antique]

Yes, sirjames, I have and VERY noticeably so! Last year I went to Melbourne for two months and during the course of my visit I went to stay in Tasmania for a month! I started off feeling very down after the long flight and very short of breath! However, after only a week in Tasmania I was walking up and down the beach with the dogs, taking in the various sights and generally feeling much better. After the month I went back to Melbourne and was ready for everything! Could walk for ages, didn't get much breathlessness (still some but nothing that I couldn't manage) and was out every day in the local park with the dogs! It was impressive. My daughter tried to persuade me to go out there to live but so far I haven't made any decision. Think I am getting too long in the tooth for such a major change but can certainly say Tasmania changed my life at the time! Cheers. Juney

PS If you are going, I will definitely come with you!!!!!

[Offcut]

I have found that if I am on the Norfolk coast I breath better but on the Devon coast I am worse. I do not do very well in hot countries but seem okay in them in the evening?

Be Well

[undine]

I am currently in Southern Spain sorting my late Mother's stuff and the hot muggy weather has been very bad for me, one infection every month since I have been here. 3 exacerbations and 1 emergency hospitalization for nearly 2 weeks - not good - surprisingly was better off in UK in the winter. But different strokes for different folks - some people seem to get on better here - so really trial and error - I can't wait to get back to UK but at the moment am housebound - taking time to recover and on nearly 24 hour oxygen. Good luck in your search xx

[Kissi]

I vit my son and family in Florida for weeks at a time, two or three times a year and feel fantastic when I'm there, my breathing improves and I have way more energy. Same things happen when I go to turkey . good luck

[James48]

Thank you all you lovely folk for responses to my question!

I wonder if there's a placebo effect at play here? you go to a new place, feeling happy to go somewhere different or a change of scenery and feel better? I visited rural France in May about 5 years ago and felt much better on the second day - no cars etc- I remember that very well.

But as Udine said, she experienced worsening symptoms in Spain because she was there for very sad personal reasons and the physcological effect resulted in hospitalisation?

[3598]

Yes. Climate can make all the difference. If able, choose an area with no humidity or dampness. Also, avoid extreme cold and polluted environments. Ck. your lung associations' recommendations for clean air towns and cities.

Good luck.

[James48]

Thank you, I was asking for specific locations as I am very aware of the factors that affect quality of life with COPD like humidity, damp, pollution, pollen, direct wind in the face, heat,

Some readers quoted Spain - but some people have had a bad experience in Spain. I read that the most temperate climate is in the Caribbean.

[Mooskie]

Hi sir James. I live in calgary, ab Canada where elevation is 3400 ft with major shifting weather patterns. I also visit california (by the sea shore) and arizona. There iOS a huge difference in how I feel at sea level. If I had my druthers I would live in Hawaii. That's where I feel best. I have very severe,copd and fibromyalgia and am on O2 24/7! It is very frustrating to travel due to needing the oxygen all the time. I find I now need a little help.

Glad I found this site. Good info and lovely people! Good luck to you!

[Fazool]

Yes, i live in Mauritius in a city on the high lands where its quite cold and humid. A lot of visible and nonvisible mold in the house.I moved to the seaside where it is always sunny and dry for 3 days. Ididnt cough even 1 time and my breath improved visibly.So definitely climate plays a great role for respiratory problems. Am looking forward to shift overthere but its quite difficult to leave back all you have acquired-house ,work and relatives and friends. But finally the choice should be our health.Pulmonary fibrosis patient with 45% lung volume.

[adhuk]

I'm in the UK winter. Damp, cold and foggy. My copd is so bad I can barely move. Three months ago I was in Kos, temperature 28 celcius. I felt really good and was even cycling along the coastal paths. That's the difference it makes to me. I lose up to 4 months of my life each year because I live in Northern England, the home of rubbish weather,