New diagnosis 😢

[Shazza59]

Hi there, I am hoping for help and support here. I was diagnosed with COPD yesterday by spirometer test as X Ray came out clear. Too shocked to ask what stage but just asked is it severe and she said no. Put on just Spiriva Inhaler once a day and she said will do another test in a year. Am 51 and smoked for 30 years and gave up 4 years ago but have been using vaping as a constant since. Dr said to give them up or would be on oxygen in 10 years!!!! So stopped immediately. Was having shortness of breath when walking and clearing of mucus in the mornings. Since diagnosis feel more SOB and tightness of chest and really feel the symptoms but think might be psychological as feel so anxious about it and making it worse worrying as know it can only get worse. Have 3 young daughters and can't function properly with them since diagnosis as mind is elsewhere and feel that sick nervous feelings. Just need some advice please.

[Jocopd]

Yes copd can flare up due to stress. Many people live very long lives with COPD. But you have to be proactive with it - no one is going to do it for you and many doctors don't have a lot of info. Congratulations on stopping smoking and vaping! Stay off that vaping - your lungs are working super hard now and the last thing they need is liquid nicotine soaking into the little sacs to damage them more.

Spiriva is a 24 hour daily med that relaxes the lung muscles to help you breath easier. It really won't take effect for about 3 days to a week so you may still have sob (shortness of breath) and tightness in chest till it gets going.

Some things to ask your doctor - why the jump straight into a maintenance medicine that you are going to have to take every day for the rest of your life? Would a rescue inhaler such as pro air be better to take for when you have sob? Or using a nebulizer? Also the pro air is about $50 and Spiriva is over $300. Is doctor going to call for a night breathing test? You have a right to the results of the test and your "stage" is not so important as your FEV numbers. Good luck and do some walking every day even if slow and smell the air.

[Shazza59 in reply to Jocopd]

Hi Jocopd, thank you for reply is very informative. Will have to make apt to see GP again as she sent me packing with prescription for inhaler and said would do another test in a year. Maybe was more advanced than I am thinking and that’s why she gave Spiriva, not sure. She didn’t give me any rescue inhaler and has not organised any nighttime test and did not take my oxygen levels, I have since bought an oximeter as worried about oxygen levels. Will keep you informed when get back to her and will get out walking when snow clears. Thanks again x

[Feelingblessed2013]

I think part of your feeling the effects more now may be that you are more aware since your diagnosis, and the stress of that diagnosis. You can live a long life with this disease, but you need to take care of yourself. Eat as healthy as you can, exercise (even if it's just walking). As for the SOB (shortness of breath) try "pursed lip breathing", where you inhale through your nose as deeply as you can, and exhale through "pursed" lips (like you are blowing out candles).

Ask questions, you have a right to know what stage you are.

Congratulations on becoming a ex smoker, and on stopping the vaping.

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

[Shazza59 in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Thank you Katherine, feel a bit better reading responses and appreciate them. I will try to find out more about the severity of obstruction. Have tried pursed lip breathing, makes me feel slightly lightheaded but will persevere. Hard to talk to anyone else about this except for on here. I am even not answering friends calls as just don’t feel I want to go into it at the moment with them. Will let you know when get more info and really thanks so much for support c

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to Shazza59]

If you get light headed, try easing up on your pursed lip breathing a little bit. I've had the same issue, this too will get better.

Please try not to completely isolate yourself from others. Maybe answer your friends calls, but simply tell them that you are not ready to talk about it yet. Try to let them be there for you.

[Shazza59 in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Yes I am trying a gentler pursed lip breathing and seems to be slightly better but don’t know how often should be doing it. Will talk to friends soon just feel a bit detached and that sickly feeling in pit of stomach when something is wrong. Getting a few flutters in chest which I presume is anxiousness. Thanks for response x

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to Shazza59]

I only do the pursed lip breathing when I am SOB, and then only for half a minute or so (just until I no longer feel winded).

[Boab]

whyquit.com free advice and literature i am COPD gave up Spirivia once i clued myself up on the smoking and the effects. You will not any inhalers if you change your lifestyle.

Be active, eat healthy and learn to breathe. The problem is not breathing its exhaling if you could not breathe you would not be here, so the clue its internal start the repair from the inside dont put in what the body does not want, if we were born to smoke we have cjimneys on our heads.

You will be fine i believe if you are mild it can be healed natrually despite the advice they give, just like the cigarette industry pharmacetucal is a big bucks indusrty. whyquit.com and scare yourself away from tthe fags.

[Shazza59 in reply to Boab]

Thanks for that but gave up cigarettes four years ago and vaped since then but gave up vaping when got diagnosis.

[Boab in reply to Shazza59]

read about vaping on same site, search for and read about Diacetyl.

[Vonnie50]

Your story sounds the same as mine