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Is it really possible

40 Replies

Good morning yes me again....I get now this is not a death sentence...so some improvement on my part ...

My next step and I do need answers to this to push forward

At moderate can this really be slowed down

B. Is it true not everyone needs oxygen

I looked at my fears as stupid as they may seem and there they are specific to me

Please I am not sitting around I just need answer to this...please

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40 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Hi Emily, my husband Pete has COPD but I’ve no idea what stage he’s at. He doesn’t need oxygen and was diagnosed in 2010. Hope that helps. Xxxxx

in reply to sassy59

Good morning Thank you

2greys profile image
2greys

Yes the progression can be slowed down and the same is true even for severe.

I easily have half your lung function and not on any supplementary oxygen.

in reply to 2greys

Thank you for that response thank you ....

Pantani profile image
Pantani

I have had COPD since 2007 and was classed as borderline severe then. I dont have oxygen and I'm still here. I get short of breath but manage my condition reasonably well . I had 2 hospital stays in 2016 but have managed to stay out since then.

in reply to Pantani

Thank you so much for that this is very encouraging for my mental well being thank you

Damon1864 profile image
Damon1864Volunteer

High Emily yes you can slow the progression by exercise and healthy living. Exercise makes your lungs work, but please don't over do it or you will be defeating the object. And no to my knowledge not everyone needs oxygen do please don't worry. I think you have a positive attitude and that's good. Hope this has helped you, have a lovely day and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

in reply to Damon1864

Thank you this is really helping so thank you ...

Whitechinchilla profile image
Whitechinchilla

Hi Emily61.

Glad that you have “ turned the corner” so to speak

You have had some good answers already and when you do your PR course the staff there will be able to answer more fully, if necessary.

All of us here know that we have to put in the work to look after ourselves.

For me, I will do whatever it takes to ensure I can hold off the oxygen as long as possible. Plus it’s not something that is prescribed lightly

And also the condition progresses slowly not quickly.

I had my first class yesterday and already can tell how it will benefit me if I put in the effort.

Not long to wait until you start your course. That’s exciting.😊

in reply to Whitechinchilla

Thank you how was you first class I intent to do what I need to do my family need me my sister can't look after dad by herself and putting him in a home is not at option for us ...I feel i have found a new family her

Whitechinchilla profile image
Whitechinchilla

It was good to meet others with the same condition. Plus to realise that despite my age I actually was in better shape than I realised. Lol.

I felt quite humbled when I saw others so much worse off than myself.

That’s what we are here, one big family. 😄enjoy today.

in reply to Whitechinchilla

Glad you enjoyed it ...I have never excercised really don't eat health donr drink enough fluids ....this disease will in a way maje me healthier.....is that a stupid comment to make?

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply to

Hi Emily. No of course that's not a stupid comment to make! Having a chronic illness like this does make you think about your health and looking after yourself so that is the silver lining in the cloud. You might find that with exercising and eating more healthily you feel better than you felt for a long time.

I must admit though that some of it is down to luck as I don't lead a healthy lifestyle but my lung function is still mild and has been for 10 years now. I also only gave up smoking 17 months ago. x

in reply to hypercat54

Well giving it all I have got thank you...17 months ago well done. Did you get mucus...I have that at the back of my throat.....must be condition

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply to hypercat54

Good god no! It's the opposite of stupid Emily. You are already learning so much and it's easy to see the progress you are making. Power to you :)

in reply to O2Trees

Thank you at daughters having a treadmill session only managed 5 mins ....but she said she is proud of me for trying

jackdup profile image
jackdup in reply to

There is nothing wrong with starting off at 5 minutes, especially if you have not been doing any exercise previously. Do that every day or every other day for a week or so and then add a minute or two or more if you feel up to it. You can gradually build up the time you can spend on the treadmill. Of course if you start PR soon they will guide you through it and then you can maintain it when your PR course is done.

Good luck.

in reply to jackdup

Thank you

Whitechinchilla profile image
Whitechinchilla in reply to

Not at all. Maybe that will be the silver lining for you to have a slight change of lifestyle.

in reply to Whitechinchilla

Thank you for encouragement as always

corriena profile image
corriena

Yes it can be slowed down you may never go past moderate and your general health can be improved with exercise and healthy diet. Not everyone who has copd uses oxagen no mater how bad they get its not a suitable treatment for everyone.

It may be helpfull for you to look for a breath easy group near you. They can offer alot of good posative support and sencible advice. The blf helpline may be able to give you info on any near you

in reply to corriena

Thank you for that I will look into breath easy thank you....I will do all i can to help myself thank you so much.....

Whitechinchilla profile image
Whitechinchilla in reply to corriena

I live outside of London corriena and was so surprised to find that the nearest group was a good 2 hour trip from where I live. Shame. I think group support is so beneficial.

corriena profile image
corriena in reply to Whitechinchilla

You could look in to starting your own group

Whitechinchilla profile image
Whitechinchilla in reply to corriena

Now there is a thought. Thank you.

Offcut profile image
Offcut

I have multiple conditions and have a lung function of 46% and I am not on Oxygen. I do get out of breath on exertion but it is knowing your limits and sometimes pushing them. But not to far!

Be well

in reply to Offcut

Thank you so much for getting back thank you

Hacienda profile image
Hacienda

Hi Emily. I am so happy that you have turned that "Anxious Corner" and now with everyone's help & Advise you can help also. I have mentioned to you before that I am on Oxygen, though I am able to go to the Gym & Exercise Classes. 3 times a week, also do Home exercise, but it is hard to get motivated at Home. Well done for having a Full Five minutes on my Favourite, The Tread Mill, I normally do 3 reps at the Gym 5 mins each Rep , plus other Low level machines, all these I do on Oxygen. As I said I am level 4, and that is how I was Diagnosed( 2013) so No early Mild Diagnosis, which would have made my Life Easier, to be able to stay at "Mild". But, I'm Not, So I do all I can to have a Good happy Life and stay positive. carry on with your Motivation Hun, and again Well Done. xxxxx

in reply to Hacienda

Thank you and I am going to do my best to slow this thing down so I that is what I want ....and hope I can achieve it ...I am moderate and going to stay at moderate for as long as possible....but I know a little more but not enough about my condition....Will ask lots of questions at first consultant appointment 25th Febuary ......I would not have come this fair without you all and God...I have never used a treadmill before my daughter found if quite funny

.....

Hacienda profile image
Hacienda in reply to

Good for you Hun. XXXX

les4560 profile image
les4560

good morning Emily,you sound so happy to day so glad to see this!

in reply to les4560

How are you my love....I am in fighting mood ...how are you feeling

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

You sound more positive this morning Emily61. Not everyone ends up on oxygen and yes with good health management you can slow the progress down and lead a longish reasonable quality life. Maybe even reach 100 :) but there maybe bad times too you will have to overcome with medical help.x

in reply to katieoxo60

Thank you feeling more positive

Valsha profile image
Valsha

Hello Emily. This is my first post but I have been reading on here for months. My husband was diagnosed aged 27. He too thought the worst to begin with. However he is now 75! He played tennis until his late 40s, then continued with croquet which was played at the tennis club (and still does on good days in the summer although he can often only manage half an hour). We had two children and now have grandchildren who he enjoys playing with. He wisely took early retirement in his early 50s from a stressful job working shifts. After that his health improved! He has always been active, and I think this is key for both physical and mental well-being. Yes he had to tailor activity to his abilities but he has a full life. His lung function is now 29% but he is not on oxygen and self manages his condition very well. My role is to feed him healthily and make him do enough but not overdo things! He is getting better at recognising when he needs to rest a bit.

My point is that you can, and almost certainly will, live a good life as others have said. Get a good consultant and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Learn the signs of an impending infection and act quickly. As time goes by you will become expert at managing your condition. I wish I had had all this information when we started out!

As you have already discovered you will have wonderful support here. You are already doing much better than you were. Good luck for a great future.

Xxx

in reply to Valsha

Hello and thank you for reaching out to me....this will along with everyone else inspire me to keep going...people on here have mentioned lung capacity could you explain it to me some have I still don't get it and again thank you

Valsha profile image
Valsha in reply to

I should have said lung function not capacity! It is the percentage of what would normally be expected for your age, gender and size. Also made a typo on that should have been 39% not 29%, but still severe. Xx

in reply to Valsha

Thank you just a lot to process but that has been so very helpful

Catnip profile image
Catnip

Greetings

Your fears aren't stupid or specific to you, believe me. Many of us have been there, too. I'm not sure that fears go away; they merely change.

It is true that at "moderate", you can slow down the deterioration of your lungs, by stopping smoking, getting more exercise, eating well -- all the stuff that I suspect you've already read. Also, not everyone needs oxygen; it is also true that oxygen isn't useful for some forms of COPD.

I'm now at Stage 4 (end stage, if you will). My first diagnosis came when I was about 36 -- half a lifetime ago, since I'm now coming up 72 -- and I didn't stop smoking for many years (more fool me!). I am on oxygen all the time now; you don't need to get into this state!!

Be as cheerful as you can; be positive and do the right things by yourself and you will be much better.

Catnip

in reply to Catnip

Thank you for sharing this with me I feel so blessed to have found this site ....thank you that means so much to me

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