Copd

[jowatto]

Hi im jo ive just joined, my dad has copd hes 72 years old im scared and want to find out more to help him.

[Hidden]

Hi Jo & welcome! Sorry to hear about your Dad. Has he just been diagnosed? I'm sure you will get lots of advice here but in the meantime try not to worry.

[hufferpuffer]

Hello Jo, welcome to the site. Any questions about anything just fire away! Is your Dad still fairly active or on oxygen?

Hope you find some answers here, there's a lot of information to be gained just reading previous posts and you can phone the BLF nurses too and they are so helpful.

Take care, huff xxx

[andmikel]

I was diagnosed with Emphysema in 2006 which is one of the problems covered by the COPD umbrella where the small bubbles that form the lung gradually breakdown and become bigger bubbles reducing the surface area that takes in oxygen and I have had a sixth of my lungs removed with cancer. I use inhalers as prescribed and keep physically active. Whilst this is a progressive condition and breathlessness does increase, the exercise reduces the rate at which it happens. I am now the same age as your dad and still dig the garden, climb ladders and walk for an hour a day, I can still lead a fairly normal life. I find that car aircons tighten my breathing as does going into dusty or smoky spaces and it can take a day or two to recover. If the sputum coughed up is yellow or green get to a doctor as soon as possible to arrest any chest infection. I have been issued with antibiotics to take if the need arises to cope with the delays now prevalent in getting medical attention. Don't panic and sucking a mentholated sweet when your chest gets tight and the inhalers are not coping is a good short term way of easing the breathing.

[droneb]

The British Lung Foundation helpline 03000 030 555 is a great starting point, and if you have a Breathe Easy group nearby why not pop along to their next meeting, you will meet people with the same condition as your dad ,and carers like yourself only too willing to pass on tips and experience. Good luck to you and dad and stay positive.

[Kristicats]

Best to ask specific questions here or contact the BLF helpline rather than other online scaremonger y . When I was diagnosed was deeply distressed by the rubbish I read online. This is the right place. Best wishes.

[cofdrop-UK]

Welcome. Sorry to hear about your Dad. I have a different lung issue to your Dad but just wanted to say hello.

cx

[casper99]

Hi Jo and welcome. It"s great that you care so much about your Dad but please don't work yourself up too much about it.

Andmikel's excellent reply says it all and

When you know what stage your Dad is at and his fev number, the great people on here will be able to give you much more advice to keep your Dad one step ahead of his Copd. xx

[grandma3]

I am 72 too and had copd for about 14 years.Still getting around except when I have a lung infection. That despite having severe R arthritis which can affect the exercise I get. Lack of exercise is going to be a factor in COPD worsening I understand.So getnyour father moving as much as possible. Only wish I could move more.

[jowatto]

Thankyou for your reply my dad has just come out of hospital with phenomea hes not mobile hes got a wheelchair and hes only got 5% of lung funtion hes so frustrated because hes used to be so active and independent.

[frank65]

don'nt be it is not a death sentence ask anyone on here there is no reson why he should not leave a long and happy life. chin up