The results are in. :(

[phyllis_liberty]

Hello again my fellow COPD friends!

I posted a few days ago. I had an appointment yesterday to get to the bottom of my breathing issues. Yes it turns out I'm in the mild stage of COPD. I can't begin to say how scared I am. I quit smoking all but three cigs a day...so far. (57 yr. old female). Strange how I tried for yrs. to stop, and a diagnosis like this made me just lay them down, and not miss them much at all. I plan to be off them completely in a few more days. I can now say smoking makes me sick....literally. Crazy...after 30+ years, and enjoying them so much. Go figure.

Anyway, I am going to come to this place now.. as a way to help me get through this the best that I can. I found out that surfing the net is, in itself, an addiction...that can make you more confused than ever. There might be good info out there, but there are also some places that scare your britches off! So, I'll stick to this place, as I'm certain you all know the answers to my questions, and can help me when I feel down.

One question I have right now is, "Does anyone have weak legs or arms from COPD?" I have noticed this in the late afternoon. I don't know if it can be related.

I am really upset today you guys, and afraid of what's in my future now. I feel guilty for doing this to myself....really! I feel kinda' sorta' dumb I guess. I also have it in my mind that other people put us into a certain category after this diagnosis....if you know what I mean. ??? Like, "Oh how stupid of her to smoke....now she has a disease from it...she did it to herself...She gets no sympathy from me....etc....

I suppose I have rattled enough for now. I could go on and on about how down in the dumps I feel, but I'll save some for later... I'm sure I'll be posting poor pitiful me stuff for a bit. Hopefully, I will get past that tho, and start seeing some reason to keep on keeping on, and that is one reason I'm here right? For support!!~

Wish I could give you all a big ole' hug and I could get one back. I'm going to call my daughter, and try to put a smile on my face, and laugh a bit.

Take care, and God bless you all.

Phyllis

[NormaH951]

Hi Phyllis. 🙂

Please don't be so upset. I vividly remember 11 years ago when I had chest pains and the emergency doc said "you want the good news or the bad news"? The good news? No heart attack. The bad news? Emphysema. I quit then and there. I was petrified! Now, 11 years later?...I get short winded but am not on any meds or oxygen. My COPD has not progressed. I hope this helps. Stay optimistic. 🙂

[phyllis_liberty in reply to NormaH951]

Thanks SO much for your reply! I'm going to do my best to stay positive. It's just such a shock to me. 😟

Hugs,

Phyllis

[phyllis_liberty in reply to phyllis_liberty]

Norma, how old were you when you were diagnosed? I'm so full of questions about this. I'm confused and feel a bit lost right now. I felt fine, then tried a monitor of my friends that showed a low fev1 level. Thats the only reason I chose to see a dr., or I'd have no clue I had COPD at all. 😟 It is quite a jolt isn't it? (Sigh). I pray for strength, and peace, and the will to beat this.

Thanks again! 💙

[NormaH951]

Hello again Phyllis

I was 57 when diagnosed. I am now 68. Don't be upset. There is a great deal of medicines, therapy, etc. to make your life doable.

[nepats32954]

I was told i have copd about 12 years ago,first reaction was whats copd .Kept working and smoking until trips to doctors and hospital were too much.Smoke free 8 yearsnow.After 30 years smoking.On disability .Just try toavoid people with colds etc.Have occassional hospital trip,but doing ok with my oxyjen.

[joyful4u]

Hi Phyllis, so glad you decided to join this group & share your story. Thank God the results showed mild emphysema. I just received the same diagnosis last Fall. I agree that it surely gives us a sense of urgency to do everything in our power to remain healthy. You cutting down on smoking was a very good beginning. I'm praying that you quit altogether. You'll receive the benefits of it. Continue to read all the past posts. They hold a wealth of knowledge, advice, support & encouragement. I know because that's what I've been receiving. I'm asking God to remove your fears & trust in Him as you go forward, one step at a time. Take care of yourself, Terri

[phyllis_liberty in reply to joyful4u]

Thanks so very much for your prayers!! I have cried a lot. I don't want to even think that I'll be gasping for air one day you know? 😳

[Feelingblessed2013]

I know what you mean about the attitude you get from some people. I had lung cancer along with the emphysema. You mention lung cancer and even with some doctors the first question is "do you smoke?" to which I'd answer, I quit about 16 years ago. I would also tell them that my PC thinks my lung cancer came from exposure to radon and my oncologist told me that even if I had never smoked, the emphysema was pretty much a given just because of exposure to second hand smoke growing up. I grew up in an era where there were ashtrays in stores. Both my parents smoked, almost everyone I knew smoked.

I live in America where most people don't realize that lung cancer kills more women annually than breast cancer. That irritates me to no end.

As for emphysema, you can still live a long life if you take care of yourself.

[phyllis_liberty in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

I live in America also, and yes, I remember everyone smoked! I also remember my dad smoked in the car with the windows rolled up...of course he had no idea what it caused. He died of lung cancer. Darn cigarettes!!

I find that my fev 1 is better in the evening on a hand held tester. I dont know if those things are accurate though. I try to breath deeply more often. I do need to start exercising more. I don't do too much.

Thanks for your reply. So happy to find this place.

God bless,

Phyllis

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to phyllis_liberty]

Sorry you threw me with "cigs" and "britches", I pictured England (my bad).

My parents always smoked in the car, in the house, everywhere. I grew up pretty much in my grandmothers bar. Back then doctors said cigarettes were good for you. None of us had any idea how bad they really are.

Now every time I see someone smoking, I get the urge to grab them and try to shake some sense into them (I don't do it, but I really want to).

My dad had emphysema, but died from dementia, Mom died of emphysema.

By the way, I was 56 when I was diagnosed, I am now 60.

Is there a way to test your FEV 1 at home? I have an Oximeter.

Like you, I need to start exercising more, due to other medical issues I don't do anywhere near what I should.

Keep in touch, let me know how you are doing.

Kate

[phyllis_liberty in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Kate,

That truly made me laugh! I'm from the south. So "britches" is always used here. Hahaha!! I'm from Mississippi...a country bumpkin.

They actually said cigarettes were good for people back then? Wow.

I have a Microlife monitor. It shows fev 1 levels. I dont know how accurate it is, but it seems to be working ok. I think these are mainly for asthma. It shows the peak flow and the fev1.

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to phyllis_liberty]

Again, my bad :). I know some southern words, my oldest stepsons wife is from Alabama.

Yes, way back when I was a kid you saw TV Commercials telling you things like smoking was good for you, and that even doctors smoked. It was also cool to smoke. If I only I knew then what I know now. But you know what they say about hind site...it's always 20/20.

The only time I have seen my FEV 1 level was after a PF Test (it was 73), but my O2 level is always in the upper 90's during the day. I also had a sleep study done in February and found out I also have sleep apnea (fun Wow!). My O2 level was dropping into the low 70's while I slept.

You have gotten some very good advice from people here, do as much activity as you can, drink plenty of water, and follow your doctors instructions. If he has you on meds, take them. If you have an inhaler, use it. We cannot stop this thing, but we can slow it down. Oh, and apples, eat apples, they are very good for your lungs.

[phyllis_liberty in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Oh wow, I love apples. This is good news!! Does apple cider vinegar have any affect at all...or do you know. I know these days they are using it for lots of things.

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to phyllis_liberty]

I do know that apple cider vinegar is good for you as long as it is the unfiltered kind. I do know that you have to be careful using it if you have acid re-flux, but I do not know if it is good for COPD.

[Kristicats in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Yes I bought a spirometer blue and grey for COPD it's the same as the clinic uses. Very handy as I only get tested once a year at the Drs. Accurate results

[LORBIC]

Hi Phyllis,

Take it one day at a time, walk as much as you can at least 3 days a week to build up your strength and it also builds up the lungs. We must keep the lungs strong. Drink lots of water which will keep the mucus thinned out.if you are on inhalers make sure you use them daily.even if you don't feel the need for them.

Be proud of yourself for giving up cigarettes, that is one giant step in the right direction, if he helps you to know that you don't have to be smoker to get this disease then I'm hear to tell you that. I never smoked and I have it, mine is caused by second hand smoke.

God Bless

[phyllis_liberty in reply to LORBIC]

I am very pleased with myself for stopping this habit. I feel that I'm breathing a bit easier already. Is that possible? I wish so much I'd quit sooner. But whats done is done. Some folks get this diagnosis a lot sooner than i did....maybe even in their 30's. Thank you for the response. It means so much that people do care.

Bless you!

[phyllis_liberty in reply to LORBIC]

So you got it from second hand smoke? I never knew anyone who got it that way.

Herr is something strange...I have hardly any mucus. I also dont have much of a cough. Maybe that means mine is not as bad?? I dont know...but at leastim lucky there...so far anyway.

I appreciate your response. It means so much!

Bless you!

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to phyllis_liberty]

Same here, very little mucus (most of the time, none at all), not much of a cough either. All I really have is shortness of breath, I get winded very easily.

I was told 4 years ago that my emphysema was mild, 2 weeks ago my PC said it still is mild.

[Mspatriot57]

You can't beat yourself up over your diagnosis. That will just make you feel worse. I was diagnosed a year ago. Im on an inhaler and i use a himlayan salt inhaler which I think helps with my allergies. I smoked for about 35 one years and lung cancer runs in my family. So I decided if I don't quit my health will get worse. I have good days and bad days which is normal. You just have to mentally except it and move on with your life. There are ways to manage your copd to help you feel better. Healthy diet and exercise are good things to keep your mind positive. And just keep moving. Stay as active as you can . This works for me . But talk to your doctor about how to manage your copd. I think in time your feeling bad about smoking will go away. You can change that so try to focus on the good things the rest of your life has to offer. It will get better. Take care and God bless!

[phyllis_liberty in reply to Mspatriot57]

Thank you for your nice words!!

God bless you!

[nepats32954]

Like a lot of people started to smoke when even doctors had ash trays in office and as akid made ashtrays for mom and dad at school in arts class.Also learned that those smokers charts in doctors office ,the after guitting your this well ,after 5 years your almost normal arent worth much.Iquit in 2009 ,lung cancer in 2014.Also have severe copd now, lungs real bad.Also have epi!epsy grand mal seizures since was 5.As copd gets worse for me ,getting more worried about getting a bad seizure,might have trouble waking afterwards.None of my doctors and neurologiist when was young toldme about copd.I hope young people with epilepsy is warned about getting copd.Dont think ive seen any warnings over the internet for people with epilepsy and smoking and copd.Ive posted on sites to have people wrned about seizures and copd.wish i had known.