Pneumonia and copd

[Sarahj6hollow]

Hi I'm Sarah I'm 49 and have copd my mum was 60 when she died 9 yrs ago of copd I'm struggling I've had pneumonia 3 times in 3 years and latest n9w I'm still struggling

[Timberman]

Hi Sarah, Good to hear from you. Really sorry about the pneumonia, been there a couple of times so I know how it feels. I am not at all sure what, if any advice, I can offer really. My problem is emphysema and bronchiectasis I am sure you do all the infection avoiding things as the pneumonia often starts after a relatively mild cold or similar. I am sure your mum's case causes you great distress but you do need to look at the differences between you and remember that in the twenty years between you medical science has moved on a long way.

One question which may help - do you see the COPD nurse at your surgery rather than a GP? The COPD nurse will be a specialist while the GP is just that, a generalist. I find here and at my last surgery the nurses were much better skilled and helpful. In addition your local health service may, like Essex, run a special COPD service. Ours is very good.

Do feel free to bounce stuff off me - you never know when an old duffer can come in useful!

Richard

[Sarahj6hollow in reply to Timberman]

My doctor is a copd specialist but no I don't see them only on check ups am actually waiting for doctor to come out to see me my chest is worse having problems breathing only discarged from hospital 2wks ago feel awful

[Timberman in reply to Sarahj6hollow]

Lucky you - GPs with any specialisation are rare beasts. I assume you are anti-biotics, steroids etc?

[Sarahj6hollow]

Have just finished a course no improvement waiting for doc

[Hidden]

I was diagnosed at 50 I am now 62 and still smoking. So disabled I have few pleasures left in life. A glass of wine and a cigarette does it for me. I must say that I expected to be dead by now but apparently its not going to happen any time soon. Apart from the the smoking and drinking I actually look after myself regarding the COPD. Only been to hospital once in all those years. I think it depends what you want. To be here for your family or to please yourself. You only have one life and I spent all of mine pleasing other people.

[Sarahj6hollow in reply to Hidden]

I was diagnosed at 42 been in hospital 4 times nearly died once constant infections I'm 49 now

[christina1947 in reply to Hidden]

Hi patsyann24 how u doing with Copd r u still smoking how many do u smoke a day I miss a cig an a glass of wine of an evening but was so scared by the coughing sob I wouldn’t relax to enjoy anymore take care Christina 47

[Hidden in reply to christina1947]

HI Christina I smoke between 20/30 a day and drink at least a bottle of wine an evening. The wine is drink only 8% as opposed to the regular 12/14%. I've found that after a couple of glasses my breathing eases considerably. I spoke to my GP about this and she said of course as alcohol is a relaxant it would have that effect. So cheers me dear enjoy a glass or two and see how it makes you feel.

Best wishes Patsy x

[LORBIC]

My pulmonary doctor put me on Zithromycin 250mg daily to prevent bad flare ups, when I do get an infection he ups it to 500mg for 14 days. Been doing this for 2 years and it is working, you might ask your doctor to do the same for you.

[Sarahj6hollow in reply to LORBIC]

They saying my weight doesn't help but if it held prevent I will I keep getting pneumonia

[LORBIC]

That is just bad doctoring, I am over weight myself but my doctor doesn't use it against me and that is what your doctor is doing. Fine a new doctor. Being over weight has nothing to do with pneumonia, that is from bacterial infection in the lungs. You can get it from breathing bad air, and many other things

[Sarahj6hollow in reply to LORBIC]

But I'm under I weigh 42kg they moan

[Newfie1 in reply to Sarahj6hollow]

Hi Sarah, Sorry you've been having such a hard time. I also have suffered the bouts with pnuemonia, in October I was hospitalized because of it, and they dosed me up with everything, the steriods I made them stop, because I was so aggitated, I was ready to Run. Anyway, I did not want to repeat this experience. And I did not want to be on an endless stream of meds, that just stabilized me untill I died. I've got a family, three dogs and a business to run. I was not going quietly into that good night. So I started researching every natural remedy I could find, and Im doing well. My last bout of pnuemonia, I beat down myself, lots of raw garlic, ginger, tumeric, I've swallowed horseradish raw...many nasty things, but it worked, and I can honestly say , I have not been sick since. I attribute this mainly to a slew of medicinal mushrooms, cordyceps, chaga, reishi for building up my immunity. I also take NAC daily and magnesium and eat a lot of vitamin A rich foods. Also no meds, havent needed them. And yes, I qualify, I'm 51, was diagnosed with TB about 4 years ago, which left 20 of my lungs, have smoked for 30. Please look into these things, its not expensive, they are all healthy food products tht help your body heal itself, and make you feel better in the process. The best the Dr's can do is crisis management and masking the symptoms, these things heal the whole system, so you can live again. I wont be running any marathons, but I work and hike, most days I forget I have a problem. Drs used to just look at my xrays and shake their heads sadly, don't let them bury you prematurely.

[Sarahj6hollow in reply to Newfie1]

I will but I also have an eating disorder which complicates matters as I'm underweight

[Newfie1]

I hear you, Ive been borderline anorexic all my life, dropped down to 80lbs when I had TB, God knows where that came from. They say copd causes us to burn more calories, just due to the struggle to breathe, so dont worry about dieting, think of the food you eat as strength, give your body the healthy fuel it needs to battle this thing and it will reward you with energy. A side note, NAC, also help with depression. Most importantly it helps you body produce glutathione a mega antioxident and helps clear your lungs

[Sarahj6hollow in reply to Newfie1]

That it I don't eat my mum died of copd at 60 I'm lost confused I can't cope I'm struggling

[nepats32954]

Sarah,when i first had problems witn pnuemonia ,had it 5 or 6 in a year,that was over 10 years ago,that was the first signs i had copd.with the meds and being more carefuland quiting smokes ive cut down on amount of pneumonia.my copd is real bad but stillhere.