Copd

[nelle123]

Hello all, I'm new to here, I've recently found out I have COPD and just looking for some info, many thanks x

[Jjude]

Welcome nelle, Im only into my 4th week of finding out I have copd. the members on this forum have been a mine of information and support. Just ask and there will be someone with more experience than I to give you the help and advice you need.

xx

[nelle123 in reply to Jjude]

Many thanks, I just don't know where to start, I only found out Wednesday, x

[Jjude in reply to nelle123]

Dont google is my first response ask here. everyone of us are at differing stages, some with added illnesses to complicate things. But all are a post away from helping you come to terms. Think it was 'puff' (correct me if i remember wrongly) that said, copd isn't a death sentence, its a wake up call.

xx

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to Jjude]

I'd like to take the credit for the remark but I think it was another member. Mine are mainly " keep active " and " you rule it, don't let it rule you ". I've probably waffled off a few more in the last three years

[aberdeenman]

hi nelle what stage copd are you at.

tam

[nelle123 in reply to aberdeenman]

I've just been told I'm middle, so I'm not sure. I'm back to my docs this week x

[Hidden]

Hi

There is masses of information throughout the site. If your looking for something in particular you can type it into the white box at the top right of the page or ask specific questions that members can answer you directly but you will find all the info and support you need.

Welcome to the forum

[hufferpuffer]

Hello and welcome to the site, I hope you visit often, there are lots of folk here with great advice and knowledge. We have lots of humour to lighten the load, we have posts about life in general .

My advice for copd is make sure you get a flu jab each year and pneumonia you will only need one.

Avoid people with coughs and colds if poss, buy first defence as everyone says it works as added protection against colds/flu.

Get plenty of excercise and see if you can get on a Pulmonary Rehab program.

It's important to make sure you have a nutritious diet.

Most important is if you smoke, please stop it will help more than anything.

Even more important ....keep a good positive attitude and enjoy each day your best.

Huff xxx

[nelle123 in reply to hufferpuffer]

Many thanks, I gave up smoking a year ago and I've been ill ever since, I will keep going and get on with like, nothing beats me, xx

[hufferpuffer in reply to nelle123]

Glad to hear it Nelle, you have to be strong mentally and physically!😁 I just felt rubbish at first but now on the right medicines , loving the oxygen as it helps me do more lol!

I think you must be 'moderate' there is 'mild' 'mod' 'severe' and 'very severe'

Every year, you will have a spirometry test, it's to give a guide to how your lung function/capacity is doing.Ask for a copy each time so you can have a record of it.

Huff xxx😃

[Hidden]

Hello and welcome - my first advise would be do NOT Google! Don't panic - life will be ok - at times it will be slower. Follow all the great advise and if you have any questions just ask xxx

[nelle123 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, that's the first thing I done😢I have read up on so much but it's just upsetting x

[Hidden in reply to nelle123]

Oh I did the same! Just use here as your reference point - the opinions of those with the same illness that really can help you. My husband has had COPD diagnosed for over 12 years! Take good care, Lots of love TAD xx

[chellshock]

Hello and Welcome!!!!

Glad you found us, there are some amazing people on this site.

Xxx

[nelle123 in reply to chellshock]

Hello Hun, thank you xx

[Nanaeal]

Hi & welcome to the community. Its a heck of a shock. My diagnosis was a bit dramatic. I was very breathless & had had several chest infections my then GP gave me a prescription for emergency antibiotics & steroids & said given your " pack history" you have COPD. (I had stoped smoking for two years. When I got home I ranted & raved cried my eyes out & found this site. Best thing I could have done.

It's a strange journey but not all bad, I'm currently touring in Europe in our camper van with hubby. I've got a chest infection but If I look after it it will clear up & I get a different view from my bedroom window every morning .

Take a.little break to get over the shock. Then make a plan ask lots of questions make a new plan & take control

Best wishes Nan

[nelle123 in reply to Nanaeal]

Thank you so so much, I gave up smoking a year ago and I have been ill since, I only found out Wednesday and have cried ever since, I've just been told I'm in the middle with COPD, what middle when you know nothing about it, I will not give up on my life, I will keep going, xxx

[Jjude in reply to nelle123]

Morning nelle, the day I found out I cried and cried, the following day I googled and cried, I then found this forum, and Ive never looked back. Ive done some small life changes, breathing exercises, drink plenty of water, positive attitude, onto BLF dvd after 4 weeks and apart from being over enthusiastic and putting my back out this weekend, everyone compliments me on how well I look. Reading posts from this forum has shown me that we can improve, and slow the progression, and live a normal length of time just at a slower pace.

Stay positive

xx

[Nanaeal in reply to nelle123]

Good Morning Belle. Hope you got some sleep.

You will learn & pick up all the terminology. Just start with what you want to know for now, you can ask on here or read on this site just type in a topic on the first green bar with the magnifying glass, or ring the help line they are brilliant. I've not heard in the middle before it could mean moderate who said it & can you check with them what they meant & the criteria they are using to define your level. There is so much you can do to improve your situation by healthy eating, exercise, life style. You learn to make your health the priority.

We start our trip home today through Norway Sweden Germany & Holland so I won't be able to post every day but there's lots of great folk in our community so keep posting & get support Best wishes Nan

[Nanaeal in reply to Nanaeal]

Sorry my Auto spell changed your name Hope you like it Nelli

[Ergendl]

I was diagnosed in February with moderate COPD, having given up smoking 30 years ago - and I wasn't a heavy smoker when I did smoke. But I did live with a heavy smoker, and I also cooked and heated the house with solid fuel stoves and coal fires. My then husband took 20 years to go from the moderate stage I am at today, to dying of heart failure linked to chronic COPD and asthma, but he didn't know all the suggestions on this site and continued to smoke, so he didn't look after his condition, and it was disabling for him. So if I look after myself and follow the suggestions, I should have at least 20 years and possibly a whole lot more. The main thing I've had to do (after meds, pulmonary rehab, healthy diet, avoid people with colds, etc) is to slow down a bit, have fewer expectations of what I can manage in a day, and stop doing those things which used up my time and energy but weren't what I really wanted to do.

[nelle123 in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you, one thing the hospital have said is that I'm young to get it but I've also found out that my cousin has COPD, she said about this site, and I'm just getting all info together, I'm a very strong lady and nothing will beat me, xx

[chellshock in reply to nelle123]

Hey Cousin,

Am very glad you joined us. The wonderful people on here will help you through xxxx

[nelle123 in reply to chellshock]

Thank you cousin for telling me about this, it has helped me know more. Xxxx

[chellshock in reply to nelle123]

Not a problem. You know I'm always on the other end of the phone for you xxxx

[katieoxo60]

Hi Nelle123, welcome to the site, you have picked the right place to come for info, both professional and from experience. Hope we can help .

[rubyred777]

Welcome Nelle

You will learn much on here. When I first joined, I had so many questions. Everyone was great. I learned so much and continue to learn everyday. Feel free to ask any questions you have, no matter how small they may be. Someone will help you. Another thing that helped me alot, was reading the old posts.

Rubyxx😊😊

[nelle123 in reply to rubyred777]

Hi ruby, I've not stopped reading on here since joining. It's nice to read that many people have COPD and are a text away to help, xx

[suef]

Hi Nelle. I was diagnosed 4yrs ago & like u i googled big mistake. We r all here 4 each other with updates on our condition & as a plus lots of humour. Looking 4ward 2 ur posts. Hugs & kisses. Xx

[nelle123 in reply to suef]

Many thanks, yes I'm not googling no more, I just need to know how to move forward xx

[suef]

Hi nelle 123. Im still trying 2 come 2 terms about my condition which at this stage is moderate 4yrs down the line. I used 2 b a care assistant doing 12hr shifts running around like a headless chicken, granted i cant do that anymore but i still try & push myself. We r all here 2 help & if we can we WILL help u. Xx

[Kristicats]

Hi Nelle

Looks like you have had some great advise on here. I was diagnosed recently with moderate COPD at Fev 1 56%. Although from what I have read its nearer severe. I have another breathing test on Friday. I stopped smoking last October and now know it would make my COPD progress if I ever started again (so simple choice). After reading horror stories and distorted facts online I panicked and became very frightened. I went back to my GP in tears. He told me that if I kept off the cigs, looked after myself and tried my best to keep away from people with colds, avoid chest infections as much as possible there is no reason why my lungs should deteriorate any faster than anyone else at my age. I am worried however re my results on Friday. I have a ventolin inhaler but have not needed to use it as yet, never been offered or prescribed anything else so I presume I may be lucky and have caught things whilst I can do something to keep it at bay. I have ordered the Self management plan from BLF and it has arrived today its all about looking after yourself, exercise and setting goals. I will also join our local breath easy group (one in most areas) when they meet up in a couple of weeks. As said before there is great (real) advise on here. Do you have to go for a breathing test? I hear the COPD nurses are very helpful.