COPD Anxiety

Help at the end of my tether looking after my mom who will not help by doing her breathing exercises then gets anxious and starts to panic. Had paramedics out yesterday her chest is clear so are her lungs her oxygen read at 98% . just keeps saying she is ill but doctors cant find anything wrong other than her copd. Can anyone help please. Jan

[joeoconnell]

i have COPD also and T M ( a meditation method ) helps me to reduce anxiety stress etc

[Altamisal]

Yes, meditation is great, but not everyone is up for it. Glad you are, joeoconnell.

She's probably dehydrated. Get her to drink half her weight in ounces of water. This will help both her COPD and anxiety. When she is hydrated she may be more willing to exercise. Check out my thread, Water Cure.

healthunlocked.com/copd-fri...

[Hidden in reply to Altamisal]

Thank you mom drinks loads of water hope this finds you well,regards Jan

[Altamisal in reply to Hidden]

For best results she needs to take salt along with the water. Details in that thread.

It's not easy being caregiver to aging parent. Take care of you.

[Hidden in reply to Altamisal]

Thank you Altamisal I appreciate you advise. Yes it's so very hard to be carer for ageing parent especially one so stubbon. So very tired as not much sleep. Mom is 93 & very frail although on lots of meds does not sleep well so wakes us alot during the night!! Will not listen to any advise doctors give to ease her breathing as she says something is stuck in her throat then panics. It a viscous circle for her. Poor mom i feel so helpless

[Altamisal in reply to Hidden]

I hope you can find some way to get a break from caregiving. Maybe you have relatives who could share the burden, or you could hire someone for a weekend here and there. The problem with meds is they always have side effects and insomnia is a frequent one. I have vowed I will never go on any meds!

Another idea, just a thought. Watching fish swim around is very calming, maybe would help to have an aquarium in her bedroom or somewhere in your place. Could help you too?

dailymail.co.uk/news/articl...

[valeriejean]

Had to watch a parent suffer. Even though her oxygen is good you can still be short of breath. When having anxity and throughout the day she should be doing purse lip breathing. In through the nose. hold. our through the mouth slowly and deeply. all the time. every day. it will expell what's in her lungs so she can get in oxygen. eat right. drink lots of water. take med on a regular basis exercise by walking........good luck...lucky she has you.

[Hidden]

Thank you Valeriejean we try to get mom to breath correctly but she keeps giving up to easily then gets upset & says to leave her alone. It's very difficult when mom has got into such bad habits to change things unfortunately. Since she came to live with me & my partner we make sure she eats well, drinks plenty of water & to move around more as she tends to sit alot which is not good. Breathing exercises also. But your advise is really appreciated. Hope this finds you well. Regards Jan xx