I'm Nick, a 56 year old living in The Garden Of England, Kent. I'm inflicted with a plethora of conditions beyond having COPD . I have mental health issues with Bipolar Disorder and physical issues including, degenerative disc disease, Psoriasis, chronic urinary retention, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and to cap things off a hiatus hernia.
In respect of having COPD I was diagnosed a couple of years ago having been a heavy smoker for over 30 years and I also worked as a machine fitter / tool setter in the plastics industry and was subjected to some pretty obnoxious fumes. I had stopped smoking several months before my diagnosis and it was due to my lack of improvement in breathing that led to me seeing the respiratory nurse. With my COPD my lung function is 50% and I have a lung age of 77 years. On account of my medical conditions I have just accepted the keys to a one bedroom ground floor flat complete with a wet room, which saves me having to navigate a staircase and clambering in and out of the bath.
Despite my medical history and in particular my arthritis and shortness of breath I keep myself fairly active by walking my two terriers. I have a 6 year old Jack Russell called Toby and a 6 year old Border Terrier X named Archie. I've been reading and following the posts on the forum for several weeks and thought it about time I said hello to every one.
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A very warm welcome to you and your beautiful dogs Nick.
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Lung age means nothing really,I'm always being told my lungs are 83,but I'm actually 57.I also have arthritis,neck, shoulders,lower back,hips and quite possibly everywhere else that aches like hell sometimes.I was told 5 years ago I had mild copd so I packed in the cigs and except for 1or 2 occasions I have been fine.I do get a bit short of breath when I over exert myself but I don't use meds unless absolutely necessary.I still try to keep fit by taking my dog for walks and generally keep moving so I don't seize up.I was medically retired in July of this year because of problems when walking but it hasn't stopped me totally,just slowed me down.Keep doing what you are doing and I'm sure you'll be fine.There are plenty of people on this forum who know a lot more than me and are only too willing to offer help and advice.Best wishes and welcome.
Hello Nick and warm welcome to HU. Your dogs are gorgeous and your lung function isn't too bad either. I'd bite off my own hand to have 50% lung capacity.
Jump in with comments and reactions to posts and you'll feel at home in no time.
Good luck in your new home and how nice to see your lovely dogs.
I care for hubby Pete who has sarcoidosis, COPD, osteoporosis, herniated disc for which he has a spinal cord stimulator fitted.
Good wishes to you and take care xxxx
Hi, Nick, Toby and Archie welcome so sorry to hear of your problems but you sure got them under control, it is nice to be able to get some decent living quarters and a wet room was thrown in lucky you, I love your fur babies as well, on this site we have a lot of fur parents and they become part of the site with their antics and their activities I have gone down to a cat but had the pleasure of several dogs since I was 13 that was 54 years ago where has the time gone? looking forward to reading your post....Ant and geriatric cat.
Hello Nick, and a very warm welcome to the group. I think that a lot of us are blessed with varying co-morbidities (what a lovely term 🤣!). I'm loving the dogs....they are such an incentive to keep moving.
Welcome to you nick, love the pictures of your dogs and of course walking them helps arthritis and COPD. Glad you managed to get a more suitable home for you and the dogs. I just had a walk in shower fitted but still have to use a stair lift to get to it, but it could be worse as they say. I try to keep up the walking like yourself even if at a very slow pace.
Hi Nick. Welcome to the forum. You certainly have a lot of challenges. I know the problems you face with Bi-polar as I am a retired psychiatric nurse, and to add all the rest to them: you definitely need this forum. I know you will find people on here who will offer you support.
My name is Sue and I live in north wales. 6 years ago I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis. I do not have any treatments except a Salbutamol inhaler, which I have to say although good for asthma doesn't really help with my condition, but I take it regularly thinking that I need to do all I can to reduce any kind of strain on my body.
I am 60 and I too smoked (we all did then)! I also worked in a sewing factory and when I think back my machine used to trim off the material whilst it sewed and at the end of the day it was completely covered an fluff.
When I qualified as a Nurse I used to manage a small community home with 3 guys with mental health problems who each smoked 20 cigarettes a day and the firm would not (despite my continual requests as I had given up smoking by then) provide a specific smoking area, so I guess passively smoking 60 cigarettes a day wasn't good either.
I have 2 rescue dogs, Alfie who is a beautiful 9 year old Bull Terrier and Delilah who is a completely insane Lurcher.These two keep me sane! Sometimes I struggle to walk them and the thought of it gets me down, but I do it because I must. I think walking must keep the lungs active, but I do worry about putting too much strain on my body.
I spend a lot of time researching treatments for my condition. There are some stem cell trials going on at the moment: most in the US. Some people on this forum have actually had Stem Cell treatment, and I continue to watch their posts. There are a also a lot of people who do not think such therapy is worth trying but for me it gives me hope.
Thanks for your welcome Sue. Last year was a rather difficult year for me and my bipolar was off the scale. Hopefully I'm more stable and back on track now. For the next 12 months I've been assigned a primary care nurse who will be visiting me throughout the year to keep tabs on me. I tend to suffer more with depressive episodes and living with COPD and having some tough days makes me down at times. The dogs are great company and get me out of my flat and and in this respect have a positive effect on my well being.
Hi again Nick. I have some down days (sometimes don't want to get out of bed), but I know you suffer from the severest form of depression when you are in your "down phases".
Yes the dogs keep me sane. I also find it good because you meet other dog walkers and its like a social thing.
We are here if you need to sound off, glad you've found the forum.
Hi Nick, Welcome...your dogs are so beautiful. I love dogs....and cats...animals!! I have two cats a yellow and white bob tailed cat, a real sweetie, and a talkative tuxedo cat...I love them both.
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Anyone asking about Trimbow inhaler
Leg swelling with copd
Trouble with inhalers 
I posted a month ago about exercise, things have improved.
