Hello 👋

[Orange_Lemmon]

Hello I've been diagnosed with cops gold c moderately severe, and ive got emphysematous they think on my chest xray, I wondering how you felt when you found out you had copd 🫠

[BenHall1]

Hiya Orange_Lemmon,

Blunt answer from me is ......... my public personna, no different, just my usual self - even for my wife. My private personna, just me and myself - totally gutted privately and emotionally and feeling crap !

Bloody struggling with exercises, starting with a support group this coming Thursday. Since December when I was diagnosed following Lung Function Tests - Spirometry with Reversibility - but - for now at least increasing my daily walking, little bits more and more each day ( weather permitting ).

Looking at family genetics as to clues on who suffered from asthmatic type lung issues.

John

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

Sorry to read about the diagnosis. Yes emphysema comes under the umbrella of COPD.

It can come as a shock for sure, hopefully you will be able to adjust your life and learn what you need to do to live a days of good quality for years to come.

There are simple things we can change in our lives to slow the progression of the condition.

Stop smoking ( if you do ) Attend a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, eat healthily, take medication as prescribed, take a look at the Asthma + Lung Website at all things COPD to learn how to look after yourself.

I was diagnosed 22 years ago with moderate severe COPD and more recently with Bronchiectasis too.

Stick with folk here, they are very helpful.

Go well

Pauline

[Greenmil3 in reply to PaulineHM]

Pauline I to have bronchiectasis and emphysema about to start pulmonary rehab soon. I get extremely breathless do you consider this is the emphysema or the bronchiectasis ?

[PaulineHM in reply to Greenmil3]

Hello,

Thanks for the question. Breathlessness is a complex issue issue. It can feel very scary I know.

Often in those of use with lung disease breathlessness is frequently caused by poor physical condition, lack of muscle tone brought about our lack of physical activity as we do less and less and it becomes a viscous circle. We do less so become more breathless, more breathless even less exercise and so on.

Using inhalers with poor technique is another reason for breathlessness. It seems there is less help available these days to help folk with their inhaler techniques. Inhaler medication helps to open our airways making breathing easier.

Higher protein diets with fewer carbohydrates also help as metabolising carbs takes a lot of energy.

So my top tips for managing breathlessness are :-

Develop an exercise programme for yourself after you have completed your Pulmonary Rehab course. It is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You will learn loads about how to manage your conditions. Local authorities often have respiratory exercise programmes which you can be referred to as well- useful for after the PR course.

Use your inhaler correctly.

Look at your nutrition and eat as healthily as possible.

Finally, remember athletes become breathless too ! They soon get their breath back.

Go well.

Pauline

[Welshcatlady]

To be honest, it didn't really bother me too much. But that's me, I never worry or fret over things that I cannot do anything about, it's there and that's it. Although I use my inhalers as prescribed, and very rarely have to use my rescue inhaler. My diagnosis was Mild COPD, it has got slightly worse since my diagnosis in 2015, in that I get out of breath more often now, and have to take things a bit easier.

I am 71 in a couple of weeks and I have Fibromyalgia as well which slows me down too. I hope that you can come to terms with your COPD and not let it worry you too much. xx Gentle hugs coming your way. xx 🤗