Just got COPD diagnosis

I'm sorry if you don't have a sympathetic GP and the diagnosis can be a shock, but the advice to stop smoking is the single most important advice to follow with COPD:  if you don't your condition will deterirate much faster and you'll die much sooner.   It's possible to live reasoanbly well for decades with COPD and many people do exactly that.

The test with the practice nurse will tell you what your lung function percentage is and if you're lucky this has been caught fairly early.    

The second most important thing will be the correct medication, and then rehab to learn breathing exercises.

COPD isn't curable, but it IS manageable

Can you tell us about your smoking history. How long did you smoked for ? What are your pack years ? How old are you now ? It can tell a great deal about your current status.

i understand,  my pulmonologist seemed to be the same,  i currently am under the care of my primary physician , will be seeking a new pulmonogist.  i currently have copd, am taking spiriva, and advair.  your disease can be treated and healthy living is the key.  #1 stop smoking,  exercise according to your ability, (walking)  stay hydrated,  remember  :  you will die with the disease, but does not mean you will die from it)  whatever stage they say you are, it is only a label.  God Bless

Hello Maureen

Now that you have ben diagnosed, you can make a plan to deal with this COPD.

This is a disease of the lungs, the highest cause of it is smoking. This disease affects each person differently, so we can experience it in different ways and the effects can be there at different rates. It will progress at different rates for different people.

To minimize the symptoms and to extend your quality of life for as long as possible, there are three key efforts that are imperative.

1) Stop smoking...as immediate as you can, it matters not if you smoke two packs or one cigarette a day...it is imperative to quit. Use a multitude of aids...patches, gum, inhalers, even apps on your cell phone and you can use more than one at a time, together. The first two weeks will take more effort because during this time the body is getting rid of the physical addiction to the nicotine. After that, it is behavior modification...getting used to not putting that hand to your mouth, not smoking everytime the phone rings, not doing it in the car etc... Do whatever you have to to stop and do it as soon as you can.

Second ~ ensure your medications are what you need, and ensure you are well educated in HOW and WHEN to use them and what each one does. There is a gold standard for COPD medications and you need to ensure your physician has followed it. Book an appt to speak with your pharmacist.  If you have been given  'quick relief' inhaler, (may perhaps be a blue color, referred to as a 'rescue' inhaler that is fast acting for short of breath..), Ensure that you have what is called a 'spacer' to take this.  The pharmacist will know what this is and will explain why this is very important to use with that particular inhaler.

Third~ You must exercise. Start slow. Use a mix of cardio, strength training, and resistance exercises. The more you exercise the better your breathing will be; you must reach a high enough level of exertion and maintain it for it to help...talk with a physio therapist about this and to give you some information. This exercise will slow down the progression of the disease, help you gain muscle. More muscle means your lungs and heart work less. Also, exercise will give you more energy.

Hopefully your doctor has referred you to a pulmonary rehab program or clinic.

Educate yourself and understand how this works.

There is no reason you cannot improve and live a better life.