john36491

You need to wait and discuss things with the pulmonogist John.  The pulmonology department will not doubt what to do a series of tests.

Ask about a referral to pulmonary rehabilitation, ongoing regular exercise is important as is a good healthy diet.

I am think the cleaning fluids or aids and dust off the carpets could be irritating your lungs as well.  Some with COPD do away with carpets for this reason.  You might want to ask the pulmonologist about this also.

If you currently have a lung infection SOB is bound to be worse.

Breathing can improve, once lung infection is cleared, once irritant is removed, with regular ongoing exercise (but not outside in very hot or very cold weather, this only exacerbates symptoms)  when weather conditions are not suitable (high pollen or air born pollutants high included) exercise of some sort inside or at a gym.

the following links may be of interest:

http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/features/household-hazards-for-people-with-copd

https://www.blf.org.uk/your-stories/keeping-well-in-the-cold-what-you-can-do

https://www.blf.org.uk/your-stories/handling-hot-weather

  

Hi john the best advise I can offer is for you to ask your go to refer you to PULMARY rehab ,it's run by specialist nurses and physio's who offer advice on medication etc etc and exersise ,I can't speak too highly of them ,as for the breathing ,you  will have good days and bad days as you've found out ,as for the COPD ,,, smoking for years (I know ) has done damage to our lungs ,but the best thing is you've stopped ,I was diagnosed  back  in 1992 I'm now aged 70 and go to the gym twice a week ,so it's not all doom and gloom ,

Hi John

Your breathing may or may not get better over time. There is a lot you can do to maintain what you've got, starting with using inhalers & meds as prescribed. I met with a new pulmo this week & he made me demonstrate how I use my Advair (including the gargle & spit after!) & my combivent. I passed with flying colors but he said 90% of patients flunk. But that's here in the States where it's much harder to get into pulmonary rehab. So if you are in the States ask the pulmonologists to show you how to correctly use any inhalers they prescribe.

In my experience with 6 different pulmonologists here, only the one I met this week would tell you the following: your work most likely harms your lungs. Possibly it would be okay with an N95 mask, but wearing one while just walking makes me breathless unless I slow way down. Don't know about you but I couldn't possibly wear a mask, much less an N95, while operating any carpet cleaner.

So ask the pulmonologists if your work is bad for your lungs. If they say that it isn't, find other pulmonologists.

I hope that your breathing improves, and soon.

I was diagnosed with COPD 6 months ago. Have been on a CPAC machine normally used for sleep apnea but it has helped me beyond words. More energy and feel so much better. Here in Canada. Worth asking abiut

Forgot to tell you the CPAC machine is used with distilled water. So far so good! If  down the road my respirologist said he can add a bit of oxygen to the machine. COPD can't be cured but can be slowed down with tge right treatment.