Hello. My mom has severe COPD and got out of the hospital last week after a 3 week stay for pneumonia. She’s had COPD for 16 years and just went on O2 about a year ago. She’s always done well with the COPD and never had an exacerbation until the pneumonia. I know it can take a very long time for the lungs to heal even in younger, healthy people. I was wondering how long it took for some of you, if you’ve also had pneumonia with COPD, to at least get back to same level of breathing you had before the pneumonia, if that’s even possible.
Thank you!
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nyla668
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Hi nyla, l can’t really answer your question but just want to wish your mum a good recovery. It will take time though but I’m hoping she will do well xxxx
Each time I've had pneumonia it's taken 3 months to get back to my normal & each time was a little worse than before. In those days i didn't know the power of tonic, vitamins and minerals to help rebuild my immunity though. (I don't have copd or on O2). Nourishing food & plenty of fluids could help in yr mum's recovery. Wishing her the best, P
I was told it could take up to two years to recover from pneumonia and don’t expect to get back to how you were before the pneumonia. Any chest infection can cause scarring as as the scarring builds up the breathing gets a little bit worse. COPD is a progressive disease so that on its own means breathing will slowly deteriorate. I have COPD amongst other things and waiting for an ambulatory oxygen assessment
Hi - I have just been referred for oxygen therapy, 15 hrs per day was mentionrf but that modt of that would be at night, although how that works with a CPAP full face mask remains to be seen. Until 11 days ago I had no chest infections, no exacerbations, no hospitalisations, now all three have happened. Sme scarring I'm tolld to my right lung, whether thats permanent or not I dont know. I came home after 3 days feeling immensley better on antibiotics but on 3rd day home nosedived and managed to avoid hosp thanks to GP paramedic , but another coure of AB's. Feel lke a reluse now as quite happy to stay at home.
Hi, so sorry to read that your Mum has been so unwell. In my experience it can take a good few months to recover from a serious lung infection like pneumonia. I do hope her recovery goes well.
I have severe COPD with Asthma and have been on oxygen for 7 years. There are a couple of things which may help your Mum ? Gentle exercises, initially seated and the physio can help guide your Mum with those. Physical deconditioning is very common when we are very unwell.
Secondly, unless your Mum is already taking it then talk through with the consultant a possible prescription for Roflumilast/Daxas. It can initially only be prescribed by a consultant then if all goes well with it the GP can take over the prescription.
I have been taking this drug for two years and it has helped me reduce a constant cough and I have not needed any additional short courses of antibiotics since I started taking it.
that’s lots of great advice. My mum also has COPD for over 10years and her recent pneumonia has meant she’s now on oxygen at home 24/7. She’s still new to having it in the house. One practical question I hope you don’t mind. What do you do for drying and styling hair ?
Hi, hoping you and your Mum are able to take some of the great advice offered here by other.
I still only need ambulatory oxygen when up and about, so not when seated. Although if I did need it for 24/7 then I would use it the same when having my hair styled etc. Ask the hairdresser to work around the oxygen tubing.
it depends on what 02 equipment your Mum has ? I have a static concentrator at home and a liquid oxygen flask which is filled from a large tank for when I leave home for shopping, socialising etc.
Please feel free to ask if you have more questions or queries.
Hello Pauline - i have just been referred for oxygen therapy, 15 hours per day, I think was mentioned but most would be at night. I wear a full face CPAP mask so I have may more questions than answers, wait for their visit. Also just had pneumonia, with a relapse in week 2, now having finished 2nd course of AB's am feeling much better, although washed out as well.So I can now understand folk who say its months to recover.
Sorry to read about the pneumonia...but pleased that you are beginning to feel a little better. Take it easy and be gently active when you can.
Hmmmm, 15 hours of oxygen a day...hope that goes well for you and maybe and just maybe when you are recovered then it may or may not be possible to reduce your oxygen use. See how it goes.
Hi it took me 6weeks to feel better and 6months to completely recover although I have asthma and bronchiectasis also it didn't help but I had pleurisy at the same time
Yes it is possible though I can't really remember just how long it took me. I also have severe copd and use ambulatory O2 for exertion. I have been hospitalised for double pneumonia with respiratory failure three times now (2015 and 2x 2018). I was told by a respiratory physio that I would never get back to how I was before the illness but I did each time, and the first 2018 time there was a question as to whether I would even recover.
It may be a matter of underlying fitness - I was very fit (for someone with severe copd and asthma!) before I went in to the hospital and I was walking up and down the corridors during the last few days at the hospital in 2018 and then walking very gently as soon as I got home.
It will probably take about three to six months to get back to normal but it's obviously harder for people who have painful stuff like arthritis to contend with. Vitamins and supplements etc that Peege mentions above are helpful. All the things that ShirleyJ says are important too. Since your mom does not have a history of exacerbations that should help her regain fitness.
Thanks so much. My mom also has bad osteoarthritis in her knees so unfortunately she is not able to do much walking. But hopefully PT and vitamins/supplements will be helpful.
I’m so glad you were able to get back to where you were before you were sick each time!
Your mum could try seated exercises/ upper body exercises. They are quite keen on them at the Pulmonary Rehab class I am currently attending. Obviously very gently at first- not overtaxing the body is so important.
My doctor said to use the spirometer to assist my lungs in getting better. I am following this post, because I have the same question. I have Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (lung firbosis/interstitial lung disease) and COPD. I just got out of the hospital 2 weeks ago when I acquired pneumonia. Was in the hospital for 3 days.
Hi - I've just had pneumonia with COPD and thanks to a fast acting Ambulance crew who were sent to report took me to A&E and I was started on antibiotics immediately. Back home now but shattered doing nothing. Learm much from these pages of experiences. Oh I was being referred for oxygen just before this happened.
weak as water, they said there was some damage to my lung but whether it’s permanent or not I don’t know. At least I’m b@ck in my own bed, that’s a tonic.
She should gradually get better over time, but if you feel she is not going in the right direction, speak to her GP as she may need a scan or medication.
If you have further questions, do feel free to call our helpline and speak to one of our Clinical Team for advice.
wishing your mum a good recovery. My mum has had COPD for over 10 years and has had pneumonia a few times. Each time it seems to take longer to recover than the last. The consultant did say that might happen with each chest infection and pneumonia and as she gets older.
My mum isn’t very active which I think hasn’t helped.
Thanks for the well wishes. My mom isn’t very active either so that will not be helpful. My mom has never gotten more than a mild cold every few years so this pneumonia threw us for a loop! I hope your mom gets used to her oxygen and stays well!
Having COPD is enough without pneumonia at the same time. I don't think there is a set answer as everyone is different and different COPD stages,
For sure pneumonia without COPD even really knocks you back - I can't answer will her beathing go back to pre pneumonia levels. On thing that will help is fluids, stay well hysdrated.
I wish your mum to get back to her normal as fast as possible.
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Bronchiectasis or Pneumonia
Recovery from pneumonia
Pleurisy and bronchial pneumonia 
COPD
Permanent Lung Scarring from Pneumonia
