Just the beginning I think
Posted , 11 users are following.
hi folks I've just joined the forum because quite honestly I'm a bit scared. I've had a cough now for over 8 weeks which has subsequently turned into breathlessness. After a third visit to my docs just over a week ago I was told that I have COPD. Well never heard of it, I was coughing too much to ask the doctor much so have relied on Internet info.
I was given an inhaler but not told how to use it, I think I have it Sussed now. I was told to take anti hystermines and have had appointments booked for stopping smoking (easy to stop when you're struggling to breath really)
my spirometry test is tomorrow. My dr indicated that she thinks I have mild COPD when I saw her the other week but I feel so unwell and tired having difficulty doing even basic stuff like getting dressed at the mo.
anyway can anyone throw any light on how you should feel and what light there is at the end of the tunnel. I feel like I'm really letting my family down at the moment.
thanks
0 likes, 37 replies
hypercat Lou_Al
Posted
I breathe in quickly (nose or mouth whatever's most comfortable) hold it for a few seconds, then breathe out to a count of about 8 but don't stop until you run out of breath completely. This seems to get rid of any carbon monoxide lurking in the lungs.
The exercise thing. I have been to PR and they said that to get the maximum effect you need to exercise to a level where you are not too breathless to hold a conversation but are too breathless to sing. They called this the Borg level (google it). You need to exercise to your level borg 4.
I hope this helps. Bev x
liz65577 Lou_Al
Posted
i found out I had copd when I was in hospital in February for something else,i wondered why my doctor never told me.so like you I went on line to inform myself.i was shocked ,like yours mine is mild,I don't think there is any think you can do yourself about it.iexpect you have been given an inhaler.I don't think you are letting your family down,we all get some form of illness at times,if they were ill you would not blame them.
take care.
liz65577
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liz
jude65855 liz65577
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Did your doctor know your symptoms and not check for COPD, or did h/she check and not give you a diagnosis?
hypercat liz65577
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Nanny1086 Lou_Al
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kevin53196 Lou_Al
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Sorry to hear you have this condition. I too have it. My lund function test showed that I had only 40% of my lungs working. It tends not to bother or worry me, I tend to take life as it comes. Anyway, you will probably fill tired and exhausted at times, other times you will feel okey dokey.
Have you had a lung function test yet ?
Try not to get to stressed over this as this can affect your breathing.
Please keep in touch as you get more information.
The best way to use an inhaler, though it is differant for some so you need to read the instructions. Totally empty your lungs out as much as possible and then inhale the inhaler. You may need to do this 2-3 times depending on the medication.
I am absolutely appalled that you were not shown how to use it.
My very best wishes to you.
liz65577 kevin53196
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Lou_Al
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What an awful illness this is guys, people rattle on about cancer from smoking but don't remember anyone ever mentioning this at any point in my smoking history.
i never want to see another cigerette ever.
xx
susan71068 Lou_Al
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christine48811 Lou_Al
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susan71068 christine48811
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christine48811 susan71068
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susan71068 christine48811
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hypercat Lou_Al
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I think the knowledge in the public domain about COPD is totally inadequate and I know many smokers who have never heard of it - until they get it. I think the cancer link though very important is much overplayed at the expense of much more common illnesses like COPD. After all everyone knows they won't get lung cancer so most smokers will dismiss it. And the silly adverts saying every 10 ciggies cause a tumour. Every self respecting smoker who has had more than 10 ciggies says ok well it is too late for me then and ignores it.
However if people were properly informed about COPD and given the facts that smokers have a 1 in 4 chance of getting this and suffer from shortness of breath, life limitation and possible need oxygen I think many more would listen and stop the fags. But the truth is the Govt. makes a fortune in taxes and can't afford to lose the money so they just pay lip service to it.
Call me a cynic but that's what I think. Bev x
jude65855 hypercat
Posted
What enrages me is that the Quit campaigns here in Australia have been putting out flyers & posters for years and ads on the back of magazines stating amongst other things that a smoker's lungs will return to normal within some given period of time. Well we all know that's not true for anyone with COPD, but I believed it. I really believe I would've given up smoking much sooner if I'd known more about COPD.
I did know about emphysema, but I didn't know I could die of it once it got to the COPD stage.
I think you are being a bit cynical: surely if governments were only concerned about maintaining taxes on tobacco they wouldn't be publicising the dangers of lung cancer? I don't know what the situation is in the UK, but in Australia we now have plain packaging with very gory warnings,including about emphysema, plus no smoking in cafes, pubs or bars or in cars with children and soon there is to be a ban on smoking in outdoor eating areas. I wouldn't call that lip service, would you?
Lou_Al jude65855
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The problem is that putting the biggest emphasis on a condition you can get no matter what you do you take away some of the impact if not all of it.
just my view having lost my amazing fit incredible son a rare form of cancer.
hypercat jude65855
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Why do you think they won't advertise COPD? Coz too many smokers might give up then and they would lose a fortune. After all the taxes on smoking in the UK is more than enough to fund the entire NHS.
After all if they really wanted all smokers to stop why don't they ban cigarettes completely? They could do it tomorrow if they wanted, but they never will!
hypercat
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jude65855 hypercat
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The Quit Campaign here does mention emphysema but not COPD, which isn't surprising really: lots of people who actually have it don't know what it means and obviously cancer is more effective as a scare tactic than something hardly anyone knows about. They also mention all the other things smoking causes: cardio-vascular conditions, bladder cancer, mouth cancer, etc. If governments didn't want people to stop smoking they wouldn't be telling the public about those conditions either!
Re your last sentence: did alcohol prohibition in the US work? Has zero tolerance of illegal drugs worked? Of course not, and banning nicotine wouldn't work either. Government campaigns in western countries like the UK and Australia have hugely reduced the smoking rates, to the extent that tobacco companies now focus their marketing in impoverished third world companies where there are no regulations whatsoever.
jude65855 hypercat
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