Recently diagnosed with copd

[Jeanmarie]

Hi there I have recently been diagnosed with copd and maybe a little scared at the moment xx

[Hidden]

Well come to this site

[velvet55]

Hello jeanmarie

Don't be scared, you have found a great site for help, advice, support and laugh.

Post away with what's bothering you, and we willl help.

One tip don't believe all you read on Doctor Google 😂

xx

[hufferpuffer]

Welcome to your copd family.Please don't be scared!😵 think of it as a wake-up call, this could be the beginning of something good and positive because there is so much you can do to help yourself feel better and please try to think of being as well as possible ...not sick.....have you any more information on your diagnosis? What about smoking? Do you or did you or never? I'm huff I was diagnosed 12 years ago I used to smoke.... for about 30 years , I didn't know I was an Alpha1AD person and I kind of sealed my fate. I hope you don't have the same as me , please try not to worry and stress, take care of yourself Jeanmarie 😊 huff xxx

[Dee233 in reply to hufferpuffer]

Hi. I am also alpha1 with stage 3 copd/ emphasema. Do you have a level for your alpha. Mine is 855, apparently low. As I have no idea what the level should be, perhaps you can advise? I am PiMZ. Off to PH in the near future and LVRS has been discussed.

Regards to you

[hufferpuffer in reply to Dee233]

Hello Dee, nice to meet you..we have Viking DNA !😁 it's not great I know , I was diagnosed with severe Emphysema at 49 and I only found out about being an Alpha1 person 3 years ago, I don't know what level but I'm PiMZ as well .It's 1 in every 3,000- 5,000 of the population estimated to be affected but only 5% have been identified so far. Enjoy your PR I loved it and the people I met , one of whom was an Alpha... like us! Take care, huff xxx

[Katinka46]

Welcome to this brilliant site. I don't have your condition but many here do and are very helpful, supportive, knowledgable and so many seems to manage their condition and live very well.

All the best

K xxx

[kimmy59]

Welcome to the forum.

It is all very frightening but you'll get used to it. Like the others have said ask your questions there's always someone on here to help you out.

Kim xx

[Toci]

Hello and welcome.

[guytane]

don't b scared I was very scared 5 years ago on spirometry result read my post on breath easy and how to heal your lungs

[jackdup in reply to guytane]

Can you post a link to it.

Thank you

[guytane in reply to jackdup]

hi wot link do you want

[jackdup in reply to guytane]

You mentioned "read my post on breath easy and how to heal your lungs " and wondered if you could give me a link to that post.

I think in another post you also mentioned someone on youtube that had the exercises you were talking about but couldn't find him.

Thank you

[guytane in reply to jackdup]

yes go on u tube type in john bergman copd ashma cures he will come up

[O2Trees]

Hi Jeanmarie, welcome I'm not surprised you are scared - I was terrified when i was diagnosed - that was 16 years ago and there was no BLF forum in those days. Keep coming here and reading, there's lots of information and knowledgeable members to help you and Im sure you will stop being scared pretty soon. You can still live a happy, good life, just maybe a little slower sometimes.

Besides quitting smoking (if that applies to you though some with copd have never smoked), exercise is crucial. You can ask your doctor about pulmonary rehabilitation and see if you can be referred to PR classes which have exercises and education tailored for people with copd. There's also the BLF helpline - 03000 030 555 - who are friendly and very helpful.

Take care and see you again soon

[diesel12]

Hi and welcome. I was diagnosed in February and was really worried about what the future held for me.

I work full time and still go to gigs and out and about with my friends. Yes, I can get breathless and do have a number of chest infections but this happened before my diagnosis too. Since I was diagnosed I now have the right inhalers which help a lot and I've gone from being a bit of a lazy so and so to making sure I do some exercise most days and I eat more veg and less ready meals.

So yes it's scary but you do have some control over what you do which should help you.

The guys on here are very knowledgeable and supportive so ask anything you may have on your mind (I had loads of questions) and you'll soon realise there is life after diagnosis and it can be a good one.

Take Care

Shelagh

xxx

[Pantani]

It's only natural to be afraid when first diagnosed with COPD. As long as you get proper help from GP,Consultant or respiratory nurse with regard to medication and inhalers as well as going on a pulmonary rehab course there is no reason to not have any good quality of life. You are more likely to die from another reason before COPD gets you. Just make each day count.

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hello there Jeanmarie and welcome.

[Jeanmarie]

Thank you all foryou kind remarks and help I must admit I am quite lazy don't exercise much but maybe that will have to change lol I do smoke but today is my last day of which also scares me but determined I will be xx

[hufferpuffer in reply to Jeanmarie]

Hello again Jeanmarie 😁 please don't try going it alone, you need support , a plan and aids to get you through the withdrawal. Lots of nice healthy nibbles and every time you feel mental....go for a walk! I got myself nicotine patches from the GP and at your local surgery there will be a stop smoking nurse who may team you up or you have a stopping smoking group here at Healthunlocked 😁 all the very best I'm so pleased you are feeling determined, think of the money you're going to save wahoo!!!😁 huff xxx

healthunlocked.com/quitsupp...

[Dedalus]

Hello Jeanmarie - glad you found the site & welcome. Don't be scared - ask about any questions you have - always good advice on here xx

[hufferpuffer]

Hi Belinda, Alpha 1AD is a genetic condition and you need a blood test to find out if you have it. If you have a history of emphysema in your family it's worth getting tested, huff xxx