COPD

[Sallyhoad]

Hi. I am wondering if someone can help me with COPD? My dad has it and I am wanting to ask some questions as going out of my mind..

[hypercat54]

Hi sorry to hear this. Fire away x

[Sallyhoad in reply to hypercat54]

My dad is under palliative care as he has COPD and right sided heart failure.

Last week he was taken into hospital with what we thought was a chest infection.

He is no better a week later.

He is now unable to walk any steps and is on 4 litres of oxygen 24/7 to get his sats to 92

His heart is racing

I want to know, is this it? Is it at the end?

[hypercat54 in reply to Sallyhoad]

Sorry to hear about your dad. I won't lie and say this isn't bad but I have seen a few on here having palliative care and they are still around a year or so later. I am not the best person to ask as I am at the mild stage but I'm sure others will be in soon with more knowledge x

[Sallyhoad in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you

[Sallyhoad in reply to hypercat54]

He is 62

[HungryHufflepuff]

Thinking of you and your dad 💐

[Sallyhoad in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Thinking of you both😊 xxxx

[Sallyhoad in reply to Damon1864]

Thank you

[Oshgosh]

Sometimes in chronic illness,things take time to settle down .hope all goes well

[Sallyhoad in reply to Oshgosh]

So he can still get over this set back?

[Caspiana in reply to Sallyhoad]

Hello Sally, 👋

When you said " with what we thought was a chest infection " , well what did the doctors say? Was it a chest infection or not? Have you asked for a prognosis? The thing is, as heart breaking as this is, none of us can assure you that he will get over this. But we can say that sometimes a chest infection can knock us over and very bad ones takes ages to recover from. Sometimes we feel like we don't really get over some of them. I feel your pain, I want to tell you it will all be okay. But I cannot. I will just say, make the very most of your time with you dad whatever the circumstances. Tell him how much he means to you and make him laugh. I am hoping this is a set back and he will be improving slowly but surely. In the mean time talk, talk, talk with his care staff. Communicate to them what keeps your dad as comfortable as possible. You must be his advocate.

I am thinking of you Sally. And you know you can come here anytime. Sending much love and a big hug for you,

Cas xx ☕💐

[Lemon7]

Wishing you and your family very best wishes during what must be a stressful and worrying time. Would it be possible for you to arrange an appointment with his hospital doctors to ask what they think is the next likely outcome. It may be that once his infection is controlled he might improve a little and with heart treatment also perhaps. I hope so for you. All good wishes to you.

[Durcot]

Hi, if I can help you please contact me. COPD is scary but the more you read the more you learn the better. At first it was scary now I'm understanding it more. My VA doctor is very open and helpful so I'm getting more at ease with it.

So t let me know of o can help I will.

Gods Blessings.

[sassy59]

Thinking of you at this difficult time. Do communicate with your dear dads medical team and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Take care. Xxxxx

[katieoxo60]

You can ask anything on here and we will try to answer we do try to support each other at all times, but you can also contact the helpline at British Lung Foundation who can give advice. When flare ups of COPD occur it can be frightening as can the treatment so it is usual to fear the worst, I hope your Dad is soon more comfortable and breathing easier. Palliative care is often used for severe COPD cases these days to stablise the illness if possible. The time as come for you to discuss with the team your Dads prognosis if possible and his wishes as Flare ups do do tend to make things worse, take each day as it comes no one can be sure of outcomes so treasure it moment you have. My thoughts are with you at this hard time for you and your family.

[Trishe]

Hi Sallyhoad, I too have COPD, I was diagnosed in 1997, I won't say I'm in good health, but I'm certainly not at that door, it depends on how your dad is really, if he looks after himself, keeps moving, and maybe attend a pulmonary rehab group, if he can, he can live a relatively normal life, obviously it differs from person to person, keep away from people with colds etc. But most importantly if he smokes, that best thing he can do for himself is to try and stop.

I don't know where you live, but there should be some groups around, and he could ask his doctor to refer him to a pulmonary rehabilitation course at a local hospital.

Good luck.

[Sallyhoad in reply to Trishe]

So I saw the doctor today and he said it’s not an infection, it’s COPD progressing. He said that it’s end stage severe.

His lungs are not functioning correctly and now needs 24 hour oxygen at 4.... what does all this mean?!?

He also has heart failure

[Trishe in reply to Sallyhoad]

I'm so sorry Sally, I can't tell you, thinking of you and your Dad and family xxxxx

[Sallyhoad in reply to Trishe]

Thank you. I hope you are keeping well x

[Yousaok]

Sorry about your dad being unwell I had chest infection then said pneumonia they only kept me in hospital for 1 night was told it will knock you for 6 and could take a year for full recovery .your dad could be the same as to if your dad will recover I an not a doctor but we all we all pray he does

You need to talk to the doctors so you know everything as it looks like you have not been kept up to date

[Sallyhoad in reply to Yousaok]

So I saw the doctor today and he said it’s not an infection, it’s COPD progressing. He said that it’s end stage severe.

His lungs are not functioning correctly and now needs 24 hour oxygen at 4.... what does all this mean?!?

He also has heart failure

[stamford1234 in reply to Sallyhoad]

It doesn't sound good does it. I am so sorry Sally,. But he has you looking after him and he knows that x

[stamford1234]

You have come to the right place Sally. First off, don't panic. Lots of sensible advice on here. Your Dad is a very lucky man to have you on side. Look after yourself too

[Sallyhoad in reply to stamford1234]

So I saw the doctor today and he said it’s not an infection, it’s COPD progressing. He said that it’s end stage severe.

His lungs are not functioning correctly and now needs 24 hour oxygen at 4.... what does all this mean?!?

He also has heart failure

[katieoxo60 in reply to Sallyhoad]

Hello, heart failure is often due to progressive COPD. Sorry don't know much about the oxygen rates & needs. But severe end stage usually means sadly there is only small chance of improvement if at all. There is no easy way to say this but it does sound quite final as you suspected. But no one can predict how long that might be they can only make you Dad as comfortable as possible. Take each day as it comes.

[Sallyhoad]

So I saw the doctor today and he said it’s not an infection, it’s COPD progressing. He said that it’s end stage severe.

His lungs are not functioning correctly and now needs 24 hour oxygen at 4.... what does all this mean?!?

He also has heart failure

[Sallyhoad]

Anyone...???

[Spacecat1]

Sorry you are finding things hard. If people can help you on here with any questions. When do you see your consultant again make a list of your medical questions and a list of your medication helps just in case they want to change it. But everyone on here will have a natter about anything. Please do t feel that you have none to talk to most of us are in the same boat.