New and interested in learning and sharing, receiving opinions and advise and discussing thoughts and feelings.

[Brapp]

Hi, my name is brapp and I am new to this site and forums. In January of 2014 I was admitted to the hospital with congenital heart failure which is how they diagnosed me as having COPD/Emphysema. I have been on oxygen 24/7 since. Last year I had a right heart catheterization done and found I also have pulmonary hypertension. I have been going to pulmonary rehab and find that exercise helps immensely. The Dr's claim there is nothing else to be done for me other than a lung transplant. I am 69 years old and don't want to go that route so would like to explore other options, hear opinions and any advise you all are willing to share. I smoked for 38 years but do not suffer much from mucus or coughing, just low oxygen levels and shortness of breath. Thank you.

[Linnypoo]

Hi I too was hospitalized and have copd/emphysema. I have no coughing or mucus either. I feel like if there is any thing lucky about copd not having that is a blessing. My mom had copd with the coughing and mucus was very bad that is what she passed away from. I do not use my oxygen I don't feel I need it but I am fine sitting the minute I try to do anything I can't breathe. I wonder if using oxygen would help that. I will ask doctor. I am 59 and diagnosed this year. I wish you the best.

[Donna-b418 in reply to Linnypoo]

Hi Linnypoo, yes you need oxygen to move. I could sit all day with no oxygen but the minute i start walking around i cant breathe.

[Brapp]

Linnypoo our lives are similar as my mother also passed away from emphysema. She did smoke but all her life she had breathing problems which she foolishly attributed to being a preemie at birth. I'm glad you don't need oxygen now and you may be able to strengthen your lungs by doing pulmonary rehab., pursed lip breathing and other exercise. It works as I made it to age 67 before needing oxygen. I learned a lot at pulmonary rehab regarding slowing the COPD progression. Wish I started sooner. Please take care and God Bless.

[Linnypoo in reply to Brapp]

Hi Brapp I am getting so frustrated with this disease. Today I start clinical trials for new experimental drugs could get a placebo hope I don't would love a medicine that hopefully works. Seems like everything I am on doesn't work. Wish me luck.

[Brapp in reply to Linnypoo]

That's great news Linnoo! How wonderful you got in a clinical trial. I certainly do wish you all the luck and hope this works for you. Please keep me updated as to how it is going and working for you. This is exciting news! Hoping and praying you breathe better.

[Brapp in reply to Linnypoo]

That's great news Linnypoo! How wonderful you got in a clinical trial. I certainly do wish you all the luck and hope this works for you. This is very exciting news. Please keep me updated as to how it is going and please know I'm hoping and praying this works for you. Stay safe and breather better.

Please excuse this if it's a repeat as it is the 2nd time I am replying. On the first reply I had a typo on Linnypoo and I'm not sure you received it. Wishing you well.

[Donna-b418 in reply to Linnypoo]

Good luck

[frozinorth07]

Just curious. lots of COPD patients are also prescribed antidepressants and anti anxiety meds. Not being nosy, but if u by chance take either of those, please look up side effects at drugs.com. Some or most of them can cause Sob, and also, one can, in rare circumstances cause pulmonary hypertension even, and some more severe breathing problems. I am not medically trained. just discovered by experience and am researching the effects of antidepressant meds and anxiety meds on breathing. if u take either, look em up on drugs.com and talk to your doc

[Brapp in reply to frozinorth07]

Hi frozinorth07. Thank you for your reply as I am very interested to hear other people's opinions, treatments and experience. I do not and have never taken any antidepressant or anxiety medication. To treat the pulmonary hypertension, my Dr's. put me sildenaphil (generic viagra) to try to open my arteries from lungs to heart. This caused substantial water retention and I went off the med. after 2 months. They have no other suggestions with the exception of a long transplant. Thanks again, take care and breathe well.