1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Advice for early stages copd

Posted , 8 users are following.

larry303
larry303

i feel for all those who life their lives in discomfort...or worse

I have developed copd.

It started 3 to 4 years ago and i gave up smoking at that time. I was 36 then.

My lungs are still over 80% so altho i get out of breath easily, I do fine every day. Unfortunately my cough and obstacle sensation in my lungs is very bad and i have constant burning / throbbing that mainly comes thru my back (behind my lungs) 

Unfortunately its getting worse despite me not smoking and i try to read and find out what more i can do to help slow or stop the progression ( which i fear is impossible)

i was hoping there may be others that can help give me advice of things i can do at my stage to help me live as long as i can....   i know there are many worse than me here, but i am still reasonably young (just turned 40) and would like to know by those with experience..

ill jog every day for the rest of my life if slows the progression.

i have an active job as a builder and burn a lot of calories being active all day ( altho not really cardio) however it can get v dusty ( i wear a mask sometimes but i often wonder if i should stop this line of work for the sake of mu lungs..)

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • brenda62546
    brenda62546 larry303

    Posted

    Hi Larry, I have severe stage, and just found out the hard way after being taken to the ER by ambulance three years ago. 

    I always wondered why at times I could not breathe when going up steps or hills, but now I know why. Looking back, mine probably began at the same age as yours. The only difference is I did not know I had COPD. 

    I wish I had known, since I probably could have prevented or slowed down the progression. This is why it is important to discover COPD as early possible. 

    I would suggest to exercise daily, and maintain the proper nutrition daily. Also, take you medications prescribed also. Walking is probably one of the very best exercises for copd. 

    I think this will help you from progressing at a fast pace, and when you are my age, your copd stage will probably not be as progressed as mine is. 

    I hope I have helped some, and I wish you great success!

  • jude65855
    jude65855 larry303

    Posted

    Rehab, rehab, rehab!   And stay away from that dust or use the mask EVERY time:  that sort of exposure will be speeding up the rate of deterioration of your lungs.

    Have you been prescribed any medication - eg inhalers?  And have you had those symptoms checked out?   I have 70% lung function and the only times I've had more than mild fleeting pain from COPD it turned out I had pneumonia, which is a complication of COPD which needs to be watched out for and treated promptly.

    It must've been a shock to be diagnosed so young, but it does give you longer to slow down the progression of the disease.      I wish you well & take care of yourself

     

  • Nanny1086
    Nanny1086 larry303

    Posted

    Hi ,first of all I agree with everything Brenda said ,,,,I also found that a referral from my GP to the pulmary rehab course the best thing I have ever done ,ask for a referral  you won't regret it ,also go on you tube for breathing technics (they also  teach  you this at rehab) ,,,so no smoking ,eat healthy ,exersise, medication ,and breathing exersises that yes you will get fed up of doing ,,,but trust me ,,,,they help to get oxygen into our lungs ,I was diagnosed aged 42 ,,,,I'm 69 ,,,,I go to gym twice a week and average 2 1/2 Klm on treadmill along with the rower and bike and some breathing exersises ,,,,so it's not the end of the world ,,,,,best wishes 
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 Nanny1086

      Posted

      Thank you Nanny!

      That is sooo true that re-hab is so very important, since re-hab help's in many ways. Also,  It is nice to be with other patients in re-hab sessions, who suffer the same thing too. I have learned many things from the other patients, and have made many supportive friends from re-hab too.

      And you had mentioned the Breathing techniques, which are soo important and valuable. I agree! I try to do mine several times daily, and they greatly help. In my last metabolic blood test, my CO2 levell, plus my Cholide level had lowered significantly (less acidity in body).

      My doctor said it couldn't be done, but I know it was due possibly from my daily breathing technique, as my re-hab technician said it would from purse lip breathing. I mainly do the purse lip breathing, and add the diagphram to it also. 

    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 brenda62546

      Posted

      Well done Brenda ,,I must try to do my breThing exersises a bit more often,keep well ,
  • Ada555
    Ada555 larry303

    Posted

    I've just been diagnosed with asthma/copd overlap syndrome at age 70. My LF is 83 % and had a lot if sob and chest tightness which is what brought me to the doctor. Thankfully the inhaler is helping. I agree that cardio exercise is so crucial. If I were in a dusty work environment I would seriously consider changing jobs if at all possible. My pulmonologist thinks I've had emphysema for a long time. ..certainly had it when I stopped smoking 15 years ago. What inhaler are you on. I'm on Symbicort Turbuhaler which is working well for me.
  • hypercat
    hypercat larry303

    Posted

    Hi you were young at 36 to be diagnosed with copd.  Has your dr ever tested you for alpha 1 deficiency?   This is very rare but it is genetic and a simple blood test will show if you do have it. 

    Dust is one of the worst things for your breathing.   You would be better off seeing if you could be redeployed elsewhere?

    If it is getting worse without good reason then I think you ask for a CT scan as this will show if there is anything else there apart from copd (or as well as).  x  

     

  • ck101
    ck101 larry303

    Posted

    Larry,

    How do you know its getting worse, have you been retested.

    I have the burning you describe, I think its reflux or hayfever.

    Sometimes inhalers can give you the burning you describe.

    Keep up the running and stay well.

    Ck.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.