COPD Stage 4

Hi David,

So sorry you and your partner are in this tough situation. And it is frustrating trying to help someone who is panicking because they feel suffocated and it is scary for you the caretaker to watch.

Your partner needs to learn to purposely, manually on his own power, use his diaphragm to force air out of his lungs. This is a war between allowing the disease to overtake you and you taking control over the disease. Over doing oxygen makes it worse and is quite dangerous.

There is no magic pill, and I am going to share some of what I have learned from 30 years of living with only 30% of my lungs left.

Here is what I was taught by a reputable specialist.Right before using any inhaler, rescue and/or steroid inhaler and during breathing treatments, exhale and keep exhaling until you think you are going to die and then exhale further.

Then inhale your medication, rescue inhaler, steroid inhaler, breathing treatment, and hold it in for the count of 12, then gently exhale. The idea is to get that medication as deeply into the lungs as possible, thus the long exhale prior to inhaling, and then keep it in there so it can do it's job, thus holding it in to the count to 12.

If your partner will bravely try this, it will bring him relief. Sweet sweet relief! It will enable him to find his deep breath. He must stop over using the oxygen because it is not the magic relief he wishes for.

If steroids are being used, not the inhaler kind, But the pills by mouth or intravenously, has horrendous side effects, and it causes a bad temper, angry out bursts, insomnia and bloating. But it is a valuable tool for breathing relief. I always ask for a sleeping aid for the duration of taking the steroids. Usually diazepam.

Another idea that has helped me is to stay away from eating dairy products because they cause mucus production and mucus is an enemy. The more mucus, the more coughing and the more suffocation feelings.

Also it would benefit your partner to find his happy place through visualization so he has a place to go when everything feels out of control, because becoming upset only makes everything worse.

My heart goes out to you both. All the way around, this is not easy. But the monster, COPD, can be tamed.

Warmest regards,

💛 Dawn, USA

Hi again David, the oxygen concentrator can be fixed at what ever level your partner needs mine is at 2L, mine isn't locked now as the lock was removed so I could change to 4L when active. I just keep a check on mine to make sure it doesn't change. Ask your oxygen supplier to set it for you. Good luck xx Julia

Afternoon david! Sorry I haven't replied to your question on this forum untill now I did read your question some days or nearly a week ago but was too tired to write at the time well here I am now! Have you had any luck since in getting someone to talk to your partner about the dangers off over using the oxygen! I hope so as its quite a serious matter & I think it really helps when there's someone else who can talk to someone who is stubburn & refuses to take advice not only that it would take a big weight off you & carers alike! Can you get him to your local GP surgery so someone their a Nurse or a Doctor can get him to listen please don't give into him as it could fall back on you if he was to die anytime soon lets hope not but you don't want to be getting your self into trouble I'm sure! I'm guessing he has a pulmonary specialist if he has it would help if He/She would speak to him there must be something that can be done perhaps they could keephim in hospital to observe him or a hospice or someone to come to you at home & keep a careful eye on him & give you support aswell or lead you in the right direction in getting help how about an advocate they are very helpful they can come to appointments with you at doctors ,hospitals jobcenter almost anywhere they are like a second voice they speak out for you very good they are I know as I hhave one! You can self refer your self just ring them up their number is 0800 011 6114 I don't know what area your in this is mainly for the city of London & hackney but they could direct you to an advocate in your area I hope this helps it's not nice for anyone going through this with a loved one! please keep us updated we are all hear tohelp each other! Wishing you luck with getting an advocate & hope your partner finally listens to someone if not you!

David, there is an old book entitled, "How To Become A Former Asthmatic" but cannot think of the authors name. Despite the asthma reference in the title, this book teaches how to use pursed lip breathing, something mentioned in a post here.

💛 Dawn, USA