Copd

[benlea]

Hello I'm a carer for my husband who has copd like to talk to other carers dealing with this problem it will give me insight into what im dealing with and your selfs.

[peege]

Just offering you a warm welcome.

There are some other lovely carers of spouses or parents here too, I'm sure you'll hear from them soon.

Ask anything you need to know & someone will be along to support you.

Also, there's always the BLF helpline 03000 030555

All the best to you both. P

[benlea in reply to peege]

Thank you for your kind reply.

[Hidden]

Hello and good morning! I care for my husband who has severe COPD now. He was diagnosed about 12 years ago. Feel free to message me and I will try to help you as much as I can. It can be very scary and daunting - especially if your husband puts his head in the sand!! The good news is that we still have a good quality of life - just a bit slower than everyone else! Take care, Lots of love TAD xxx

[benlea in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply it was very helpful

[sassy59]

Hi benlea, welcome to the site. I am carer for my hubby Pete who was diagnosed with COPD (chronic bronchitis) 5 years ago. He also has sarcoidosis (24 years) plus osteoporosis and back problems. He takes lots of medication and uses a nebuliser twice a day or more if necessary. He stays pretty well and always has the flu jab each year. As a family we like to make sure nobody is around him with a cold as we don't want chest infections if we can help it.

I keep myself well too and we just take things as they come. The back has caused Pete terrible pain though and has brought him down with depression. He has had a spinal cord stimulator and needs to have it re-programmed to work better.

Everyone is different but with care can lead a good life. Just remember to beware of germs and bugs etc. and to look after yourself too. You do a great job and you do matter.

Wishing you and hubby well. xxxxx

[westielady1956]

Hi Benlea

I am a sufferer of COPD and Emphysema, and a few other medical problems. I live on my own and I am on oxygen 24/7. I think the main thing is the tiredness and not being able to do what I used to. That is very frustrating and I get annoyed with myself. Lately I have been known to fall asleep on the loo!!!! But as long as your husband moves about, and gets out as much as possible. Now the better weather has come, if you have a garden, get him to sit out there.

I must state if you find it hard going please please ask for help. I get a carer come in twice a day. My carer also looks after a man and his wife is there. So don't think I get the carer because I am on my own. You are entitled to help.

Good luck.

[benlea in reply to westielady1956]

Thank you for your reply my husband gets very tired to and falls asleep on the loo to

[westielady1956 in reply to benlea]

Yes us sufferers do do funny things. I have been out today and boy am I glad to get home I am worn out. B7t it 2as nice to get out, and hopefully I will get out more and get used to it. Anyway anytime you have a question ask on the board there plenty of fantastic people on here.

[dmlavigne]

Hi Benlea! I am a nurse. Both of my parents had COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, etc. Both of my brothers have it, as well. Now, my husband has it. I think the best thing to say right off is, you MUST take care of yourself. First and foremost. Your husband has many venues to help him, and you...you are the only one who can care for you. So, a good rule of thumb, take care of yourself. I'm not sure if they offer this program over there, or not. But, in the United States, they offer a workshop called, "Powerful Tools for the Caregiver." Great program! Maybe you can look into it for yourself. Now that you've entered into this new club of ours, please keep in mind that no two persons are alike. What might work for someone, won't work for the next person. Understand that with any chronic condition, there will be good days and bad. Some people are bothered by the extreme cold, others are greatly affected by humidity. Generally, people who have COPD do better if they can learn to eat 5-6 small meals a day, rather than the normal 3 meals a day. By eating small amounts, more often...the stomach won't be pressing the lungs, making it harder for the person to breath. Be aware of strong chemical smells can cause a COPD patient to lose their breath. Watch their weight. Extra weight makes the lungs and heart work harder than they should. You might want to go online and research "pursed lipped breathing." COPD patients hold onto CO2. Teaching your husband this technique will aide in his breathing. Note: pursed lipped breathing is only during spells when he feels like he cannot breath. You can also research, if a COPD patient is having a difficult time to breath, allow them to hang over/lean on a table, head down, arms up on the table, chest muscles will drop away from the chest, allowing the lungs to breath easier. A good guide to measuring oxygen levels in your husband, look for blu-ish lips, finger nails. You can also purchase a pulse oximeter. This will give you his pulse, along with his O2 levels. Another think you can keep at home is a stethoscope. Listen to you husbands lung sounds. You may hear wheezing, crackles, etc. The more you listen, the better aware you are of when he is starting to develop pneumonia. You can also listen to his heart and bronchial tubes. If you do this often enough, you'll be able to tell he has a problem before he starts allowing it to get worse. Make sure he has a nutritious diet. I will pass along the information I got from my moms' pulmonologist. She suggested that my mom take in several teaspoons a day, everyday of pure pineapple juice or eat fresh pineapples every day. It has been said that the pineapple reduced the inflammation of the bronchials. If your husband has a lot of seasonal allergies, try purchasing some fresh, local honey. Do not buy the honey in the grocery store. You will want to visit the local bee hives to purchase the honey. If he takes a teaspoon of local honey, his allergy symptoms can lessen. With all of this said, do not get discouraged. You are not alone. All my best to you and your husband.

[benlea in reply to dmlavigne]

To have the right tools and resources will help and you are so right no two people are the same thank you.