Copd

[Kellyhopkins]

Hiya I'm Kelly I'm 36 and have been diagnosed with copd I've never smoked I've been really ill since Feb I naw have a stair lift and my husband have give up his job my oxygen levels r never above 94 and pulse is always about 80-110 sorry to go on but it is nice to talk to people in the same position as I am always feeling unhappy xx

[Swerv]

Hi Kellyhopkins,

Welcome to our group.

You will always find someone to talk to on here, lots of good advice too.

You are very young to have copd, although you are not the youngest on here.

What are your stats?

Merv

[velvet55]

Hello Kelly

Welcome to this great forum

You will get lots of help and support from the members on here, and a good few laughs thrown in to cheer you up.

Can l just point out to you to lock your posts in future otherwise anyone on the internet can read them.

When you write a post, scroll down and you see...who is this post for.

The default is everyone...you should tick Community only, this will lock it ....for our eyes only.

Nice to meet you, as you say we are all in a similar position here, so post away.

Velvet xx

[Hidden]

Hi Kelly, I'm sorry that you are feeling so rotten. I am wondering if you have been diagnosed by a consultant or by your GP. With the symptoms you describe and the rapid progression I would suggest that you get your GP to refer you to a chest consultant, also get your heart checked out as this can give breathlessness etc and it often gets overlooked if docs only consider the lungs. Good luck. There are lots of people on here who will be happy to talk to you.

[Kellyhopkins in reply to Hidden]

I'm under a consultant and I'm having pr too xx

[Elorac]

Welcome Kelly you will get lots of laughs on here as well as some good advice

Take care

Carole xx

[grannyjan]

morning Kelly welcome to the forum. sorry you are feeling so low, I have bronchiectasis so don't know a lot about COPD, but if you ever want cheering up or something interesting to read, you can always find it here. very friendly bunch. take care both you and hubby. jan x

[Jessy11]

A very warm welcome to you Kelly!

We are a happy bunch here, well most of the time! 😂

We love swapping stories & sharing photos as well the serious stuff about lung conditions.

If you read over previous posts you will come to realise we have lots of humour in our lives despite our lung issues.

So don't feel unhappy. Come here & chat to us!

Lots of us have COPD but many have other conditions as well.

You will always be sure to get advice from lots of knowledgeable people.

Take care 🌺

[kimmy59]

Welcome to the forum Kelly, sorry your feeling so rotten. I agree with the others if you haven't you really need to see a consultant for CT scans lung function etc, then you'll be referred to the PR and Community Respiratory team.

Good luck

Kim xxx

[Kellyhopkins in reply to kimmy59]

Ye I'm under all that xx

[Billiejean_2]

Hi Kelly, sorry to hear you've been going through such a hard time. Given that you are only 36 and a non-smoker, I would be curious as to who diagnosed you. Did you have the full range of tests, scans etc carried out under a reputable respiratory consultant ? Did you think of having a second opinion ?

I can understand why you feel unhappy but you have time on your side and the potential of your illness improving by better management, maybe by a different team. At 36 also, you should be in a good position to slowly build up an exercise program and improve your fitness level/ lung capacity. A Pulmonary Rehabilitation course would be a great kickstart to this process, so do ask to be referred to one.

Don't despair Kelly. We have many people here with severe and very severe COPD and they all find ways to improve their quality of life. I'm sure there are lots of ways you too can improve your condition so start questioning, researching and fighting back. Do keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

[Hidden]

Hi Kelly nice to meet you and welcome to the site. Oxygen sats of 94 are fine as it's only if they regularly go below 88 and especially under 84% that you might need oxygen, so please don't worry about that.

Have you been tested for Alpha 1 Deficiency? This is genetic but is rare and should be standard testing for someone your age who develops copd. It's only a simple blood test so ask your doctor. x

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

Good reply Cough i was just scrolling down to see if anyone had suggested A1A. Definitely follow that through if you haven't yet had the test Kelly. And as others have suggested you should be seeing a consultant.

You don't mention having had lung function tests which are necessary to diagnose copd, otherwise the diagnosis is just guesswork.

Let us know how you get on. Take care

[Kellyhopkins in reply to O2Trees]

Sorry ye im under a consultant and had a lung function test that's how I new I'm on a lot of medication to xxx

[sheila1kerry]

Sorry to hear you are not well. You sound as if this illness has brought you quite low. It can be very depressing when you feel unwell but at least it sounds like you have a good husband. It cannot be easy for him either. This illness seems to have changed your life so much and you are so young, i really hope things start to improve for you. I also have copd but through my own mistakes. My biggest problem is trying to find out what i can do to make it better, this website seems amazing. I hope your health starts to improve.

[Hidden]

Welcome to the site! I care for my husband who has severe COPD and it can be quite horrid! Two things - perhaps a call to the BLF helpline might be able to advise you if you are getting all the care that you need and offer advise on your medications. You can call the helpline on 03000 030 555 Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

I wouldnt worry about your oxygen SATS at 94 - my husbands fall to 88 when he walks and he now uses oxygen for walking about. More about protecting his other organs though he is lucky because it also helps his breathlessness.

I wonder if you have spoken to your doctor about your feelings - please do dont suffer. There are lots of things that can help you including medication. It has recently changed my mothers life for the better. Take good care of yourself, lots of love TAD xxx

[Mandy6513]

Hi Kelly

I was 48 when i found out about mine and struggled with it at that age so can only imagine how much of a struggle you have

I hope your under a consultant if not speak with your GP and you havnt mentioned it but have you done a pulmonary rehab course as most of us have and it can give you a lot of help and information .

Oxygen at 94 isnt so bad actually honey mine was 65 yesterday after doing some hoovering and im at 88 at rest .

Hope you enjoy the forum x

[Kellyhopkins in reply to Mandy6513]

Ye I've just started pr but find it hard as they r all alot older than me xxxx

[velvet55 in reply to Kellyhopkins]

Hi Kelly

COPD does normally get diagnosed in older people, that's why you are seeing a lot of older people at PR.

I am starting PR next week, it's a shame you can't come with me...you would have a good laugh...l am a nineteen year old mentally...Trapped in a 65 year old body !!

I am sure there are many older people on your course who have the same attitude as me.

Try having a laugh with them, then, l am sure you will soon be enjoying it.

Also depression is quite common in people who are suffering with a serious illness. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and your GP can offer you various treatments or medication to help you overcome it. So tell your GP how you are feeling.

Best wishes

Velvet xx

[Kellyhopkins in reply to velvet55]

Aw thank u its so nice to talk to people xxxx