Good and bad days COPD

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My mum has had copd for about 10 years, she has got worse last year, developing AF (Atrial fibrillation) as well , cor pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension, she is only 72.

She has had 5 hosp admissions in the last year for AF or resp failure type 2. a couple of times we

actually thought she might not recover. Scary, she came out of hosp in October with a bipap machine last year and has

Been so well, amazingly back to doing her housework, going out in her car to the shops, so pleasing , but now for no reason she is having problems with her breathing, dr says no infection. So my

Question is , do you just have bad weeks with copd where your breathing is bad and you lose your

Appetite and feel unwell , doctors do not tell you anything, I have so many questions and no one to

ask them too? Can she go on like this for years?.

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3 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Paula

    Yes you do get good days and bad days. A lot depends on the weather, I think. If it is wet and windy, then might worsen, or damp and humid, then it seems really worse. Also in the summer if it is extremely hot (not much chance of that in England,though, just endless rain and more rain..!) If I go to the doctors for anything, my son comes with me and we make a list of all the questions we want answered. Luckily, I have a good GP always willing to listen. I know some don't. I am 70 and have had COPD since my 40's and although it has worsened, hope to have a few years left, even though I go out all wrapped up on an open mobility scooter to go shopping, (can't walk far, as apart from COPD, my heart is not so good and I take medication every night to slow my heart rate) whatever the weather as long as it's not chucking it down. That way, getting some fresh air, I get a better appetite.

    Hope your mum soon improves and gets out and about. I've often been told "no infection" yet feel as if I have, and have then gone down with a cold or just not feeling so good, but yes, your mum can go on for years, she just has to pace herself by how she feels on a certain day.

    Regards, Val.

  • Posted

    Thanks Val, been to respiratory consultant today with mum, and she has said that mums health could

    possibly stay as poor as this , this has upset her greatly,especially as she has had a few weeks of being so

    well so just hoping that she can improve a little. Thanks for replying

  • Posted

    Hi Paula

    Sorry to hear your news but bear in mind I was told I had deteriorated badly on my first and last visit to Chest Clinic and x-ray, but it just spurred me on to try and feel better and prove her wrong (as in my opinion she was too fond of the sound of her own voice and not mature enough to even be a "consultant" or if she was, she was very newly qualified) and I am refusing to see her again, as I proved with my GP that she didn't know what she was talking about regarding certain prescribed drugs that I am taking for various complaints. However, enough of me, hope your mum can find that little bit of extra umpph to carry on as she did before this set back. Determination is the key and I expect your mum will fight on and soon get back to where she was.

    Here's hoping.....regards, Val.

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