Newly diagnosed - please help

[puddy68]

Hi Everyone

I've just got out out of hospital after a bout of pneumonia, which flared up my asthma. Whilst in hospital they told me I had COPD.

I live a relative normal life - I'm a teacher who works full time [I also have mild Pulmonary Hypertension], and the only symptoms I have are shortness of breath when walking up stairs or hills.

I'm on inhalers for asthma, and I need to go back in 6 weeks for a CT scan on my chest and possibly sleep study for sleep apnea.

My main issue is my severe anxiety [which I'm also on medication for]. Will COPD shorten my life span or can it be managed so that you can live a normal life span? Does anyone have any positive stories they could share with me? Thank you so much.

[Welshcatlady]

I think it depends on how far advanced it is when you're diagnosed, my COPD is fairly mild and I have been keeping it under control using inhalers since first diagnosed in 2015. However, I have shortness of breath more often now, but nothing too extreme. I'm also coughing more, and bringing up more phlegm now. Though none of it is very bad. I'm 70 so consider myself quite lucky that it isn't any worse.

[R2B_John Moderator]

We are all different. Granted, COPD is progressive, but staying active, taking your maintenance inhalers, routinely seeing your providers, eating healthy, and keeping a positive mental attitude will all help you live a happy productive life.

John