Quick Question

[puddy68]

Hi there - I'm so sorry, this is my second post in 2 days. [Sorry Will57🙂] I have my psych appointment tomorrow - this COPD has really thrown me, to say the least. I'm absolutely convinced I only have a few years left to live, no matter what I read [and I'm now staying away from google]. I realised I needed help when I wasn't believing what I'm reading, and I'm driving my family crazy. I have just one question - would people be willing to share with me how long they have had COPD for? I'm sorry for repeating myself........I'm just reaching out for as much help as I can. God Bless.

[jackdup]

I was diagnosed in 2005 as moderate at 53 years old. I am now 72. One of the people in the Repiratory department at our hospital said some people plateau and essentially stay at a certain level while others continue to progress. Exercise, eat healthy and stay away from people with colds or infections.

[Nornirishsteve in reply to jackdup]

That's great going Jack, are you still relatively fit for 72, have you progressed to another stage ,?

[jackdup in reply to Nornirishsteve]

I’m not as fit as I would like to be but am happy I can do as much as I can. I had major surgery about 2 years ago (unrelated to COPD) and ended up with pneumonia and as a result now also have bronchiectasis. I am at the low end of moderate/upper end of severe. My FEV1 ranges from around 48%-52%. I know I need to start exercising again as I’m sure that will help.

[Nornirishsteve in reply to jackdup]

Thanks for the reply. I'm kind of getting the feeling from comments on here that exercise is the best weapon against this disease.

[jackdup in reply to Nornirishsteve]

Yes it seems to be the one thing that helps and slows progression. As the disease advances your lungs aren’t as efficient anymore in transferring oxygen to the blood so if your muscles are in good shape they require less oxygen so your lungs don’t have to work as hard. Eating a good diet and maintaining a good weight are also important.

This is the link to another forum here that has considerably more members so you may enjoy reading the posts and comments there as well.

healthunlocked.com/asthmalu...

[Nornirishsteve]

Hi, I have just been diagnosed at age 53 with mild emphysema, my only symptom was a crackling sound in my left lung. The nurse doing my spirometry test stumbled across my online hospital file which said I had emphysema in my pathology after a lung op for pneumonia 10 years before!!;So I've been living a very normal, very active (run 3 times a week) life for the last 10 years without knowing. I'm on an inhaler now to clear the obstruction but hoping the next 10 years is as active and uneventful. How did your psych app go?