Big Mistake

[highburyted]

Morning all

Day 13 in the heart ward where they r optimising me for surgery every and it’s going very well.

But I have discovered regarding my COPD I made a very big mistake over the years, and it’s to do with when I was struggling to sleep in a bed and moved into a reclining chair, which after 12yrs is back firing.

People who saw me in it often said “ why do u sit with the chair so straight and rigid and also crunched up.”I always said it’s because of the COPD and I cannot lay too far back.

I was very wrong, it wasn’t the COPD it was because of…….SMOKING !!

Since I packed up 4 weeks ago my breathing is unbelievable, from oxygen levels of 88-92% I am now getting 95-96% and have had a 97. Last night in the reclining chair they’ve given me I suddenly reclined it fully back, feet up, something I never do at home because I panic. Without realising, 2 hrs later I am still fully reclined and breathing normal. I knew then it was because of the smoking.

This weekend I’m gonna start playing with the bed, I.e. getting on it and reclining and if I’m right I may well have a chance of getting back into a bed in a regular basis.

Yes, I do know how bad smoking is, but when your doing it your often saying it’ll be ok because your handling it , your not, it’s what smoking is doing behind the scenes.

Highburyted

[Mellywelly]

Hi, well done you for stopping. I had a terrible hacking cough when I smoked and believe it or not gave up the second time I tried and within 24 hours my cough completely went. Diagnosed with copd a year exactly after I gave up, typical 🙄🙂 nothing better than having a good night sleep in your bed. Good luck 👍

[Bingo88]

I hope eventually that you can get to sleeping better in your bed. By using pillows so you can sleep in a slightly higher head and chest position and it does help with your copd in a morning when you wake up. I was told an adjustable bed wouldn't help me at the beginning but since been told it would do now. Hope you feel better soon. Brian

[preith17022 in reply to Bingo88]

I have an adjustable bed and just love it. Helps with breathing during the night. I sleep complete upright

[Bingo88 in reply to preith17022]

Thanks so much for your reply. I have Severe copd and Asthma they say. Although only diagnosed with the latter at 66 years of age. And I asked a Respiratory nurse if an adjustable bed would help and told no. But I have noticed if I sleep in the chair I don't wake up and start coughing. So I was surprised by her answer. I have been looking at getting one again the last few weeks. Hope your keeping as well as possible and thanks for your reply. Brian

[highburyted in reply to Bingo88]

Years ago I noticed that my sleep was deteriorating badly, I would actually get out of bed go in my knees and actually fall asleep for a while. I would then go downstairs about 4-5 am and sit in the chair - suddenly I fell asleep for hours and woke up refreshed. It was arranged at the time for me to be seen Essex County Council Adult care. They agreed that the chair was working. Each council has a department that deals with chairs, beds etc so they came to see me an a proper chair measured for me was put in. And I’ve lived in it ever since. If you haven’t already I would definitely make contact with your Adult care Service

Highburyted

[Bingo88 in reply to highburyted]

Thanks very much for your reply and suggestion. I will certainly look into this instead of spending hard earned wages from over the years. Brian