Extreme fatigue, raspy voice

Yes and no:   I have days of low energy bordering on fatigue (nowhere near as bad now I'm conscientious about daily exercises and walking) but generally speaking, the further the condition advanes, the more fatigue will become an issue.   

It's very important to accept that  we can to some extent control the advance of the condition with the appropriate breathing exercises, general exercise and medication.

If I've already told this story in this thread please forgive the repetition:  when I was first diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago I was understandably upset:  my then gp told me to stop panicking as she'd recently been to the funeral of a very elderly woman who'd had COPD for twenty years.    

I'll be asking my practice nurse for another spirometry test soon, but the last one I had around the middle of last year indicated no deterioration at all in the 3 years since diagnosis.   I'm very grateful that I go myself to pulmonary rehab soon after diagnois, although I know that's not possible for everyone.

Go easy on yourself and do whatever you can to keep well:  a positive attitude won't cure anything but it can help you take positive action to stay as well as you can for as long as you can  

I still think you need to look for other causes or contributing factors for your fatigue. I think that pulmos here are allowed to send patients for sleep studies. If not ask him to strongly insist that gp sends you for one.

The reason i keep saying this is because everyone i know here was diagnosed with COPD at least 10 yrs before it started impacting their energy levels so much, mostly being diagnosed in their 40s or early 50s. Of course it's also true that when i go for free acupuncture treatments i usually say my energy could be improved. But tho i'm now just into my 60s i still don't feel all that fatigued.

Can you change gps? I know it's a hassle, I've done it twice in 4 yrs. Am hoping to have a long relationship with my new clinic.

Hope you' ve got some of the glorious sunshine we have today. Don't worry about typos no one else does, myself included.

You may be right about other causes relating to fatigue. I am going to check that out, especially if I don't see improvement with exercise in one month. Thank you.

Thank you Jude.

Sorry message got cut off. I was going to say that it will be more telling when I go back next month.

And, to comment on the good discussions - What a great group! I feel blessed.

Come on now Maryterese!!

You have a month to suprise him with your diligence and improved muscles....just as we had discussed at the beginning! 

Even breaking it up into twice a day, for ten or fifteen minutes each time, stretch bands, walking, lifting soup cans...whatever you can do to get started and into a daily routine.

Cheering for you Maryterese...and do not focus on those numbers..focus on getting stronger and improving the days ahead!

Lill 

I'm so happy for you that you've found a good pulmo! I can't help on the numbers, too long since i've done one of those.

Too cheer you on, tho, tonight i went up an incline without huffing, stopping, or opening my mouth. Walking my dog and i never go straight up that route because 15 lbs ago i couldn't do it.

You can do this!

Congratulations!    It's so important to value our achievements, accept the low energy days and then build up again when we can.

Thank you, Jude.

Sorry, all I can remember is that I had 70% lung function back then and it was still the same last year when last tested.   I have been fairly consistent with exercise, nothing dramatic, just walking for about 20 minutes most days, plus adding specific breathing exercises to the daily stretching, yoga & weights routine I was already doing.  

I think getting to rehab early on was very advantageous, as apart from the practical things I learned there was a lot of emphasis on self-monitoring and accepting the variability of COPD.   I'm also very strongly motivated to manage the condition as best I can:  I live alone, value my independence and have always been active and physically strong - hoping to stay that way for as long as I can.

Hi jude65855,i don;t know if i am doing this wrong, as i am not very good at this.You said you are in Australia, do you mind telling me which state in Australia.I am looking for a good pulmonologist in West Australia,there is no chance you are from West Australia is there?If you are, would you mind telling me the name of the one you go to, and if you like him.?I don't know about the one i am seeing.I think i would like to try a different one if i could find a good one.

I'm sorry Lina, I can't help you there as I'm in Victoria.   I've only seen the pulmonologist twice, way back when I was first diagnosed nearly 4 years ago.  That was as a public patient but I now find I have to see him privately, which I can't afford.

To be honest, I don't find it necessary as he doesn't seem to be able to do any more for me than my gp and practice nurse can and I've done the rehab course and can do that again if I need to.   

If you have access to pulmonary rehab I'd strongly suggest you take advantage of that and if you still need to find another pulmonologist that would be a good place to ask around for suggestions.  Good luck

Hi Jude,never mind.Thank you for taking the time to answer me anyway.It is good to know that at least there is someone from Australia here.And you may be right about the pulmonologists, they do cost a fair bit when you see them privately.It cost me a fair bit.And to be honest i am not sure that i got a lot out of it.Though i mainly went for the breathing tests.I may see if i can find a pulmonary rehab around here and ask there for suggestions like you say.Thanks again keep well.