Most Probably going to be COPD- so worried.

hiya rachael    try not to worry as it sounds like your drs are on top offit . the main thing is you keep on top off the pheumonia so long as you are beating that.  thats the main thing and the copd you will learn to addapt too  the main thing is to tell your dr any thing that you think isnt working or if it get worse . try not not worry as that will just have a negative afectt   keep taking that dog for a walk lol hope this helps 

Hi,first of all, follow up all doctors appointments ,and tests, then don't panic, I'm 69 ,I was diagnosed in 1992 first with asthma then chronic Bronchietis in 1998. I too have the Pneumonia you talk off more than once at least 3 times as I remember and once spent Xmas and new year in intensive care, that was 2008 , the best thing about the out come I was put under the care of Copd specialist nurses ( hope you've got the same out there ) ask to be refered to them, over here we have a rehabilitation fitness course it's an 8 week course ,again hope they do that over there, before I did the course ,my husband used to say ,,,don't do that you'll be out of breath ,,,,now ,,,well yes I have my limitations ,but I now go to the gym 2 times a week, I do 2 Klm on the treadmill ,3 Klm on the bike , & 10000 metres on the rower , don't just sit back and do nothing ,like if did, do slight exersice as often as you can ,and you will start coughing that's good it will help clear the rubbish off your chest, don't over do it though , know your limits ,

I'm on medication ,have been on ,ventalin inhaler,seratide inhaler ,and tiotroium inhaler, I also sometimes have to use my nebuliser ,just stronger than the inhalers, you will have used this in hospital, I got my own to use at home as and when I need something a bit stronger, but I only use it if my chest is bad, I have strand by antibiotics so I can start then as soon as I start an infection, and the occasional steroid course, ,and that's about it, my advise would be, ask for scan of your chest, 

and try not to worry too much ,take your medication regularly ,rest as much as possible, and that's about all I can say !I'll be back at the gym next Tuesday !as I too have had a bad virus and chest infection, good luck ,

Hello Racheal 

 Dont panic yet... you dont have a diagnosis and so you may be worrying needlessly..

  We all get sick and symptoms can be from many different things.. You will have to go through some tests which will narrow the field and eventually you will have an answer..   Also COPD comes in many forms and severity and so there is no big deal yet as COPD usually comes on slowly and not in a month or so (so from what you've said it seems less likely, though not impossible)... 

You need to relax and keep walking the dog   both for your Cardio-Vascular health and relaxation.. 

Your doctor seems to be on the ball and your general health is 'fit' from what you have said...   As I have said in other threads Drugs and health care in general is much better than it was...

I can only see that this Bacteria are also found in COPD but not exclusively..!

really... go through the process that the Doc advises and find the earlieast appointment that you can but COPD is only an umberella term for a problem with breathing... find out what it is and then there will be a way forward... the Kids still have a mum and dont let this possibile outcome mar your life...

 

Rachael, crying is a good release which physically removes toxins. Never worry about crying. 

If it is COPD (don't forget the other possibilities like bronchitis, treatable), it sounds like it has been found early, which can improve your chances of effective treatment to slow down the effects. 

The fact you're still able to care for your children and walk your dog sounds very favourable in itself. 

Also, COPD is a 'blanket' diagnosis, an umbrella, if you will, that covers many more specific diagnoses. Much of which isn't ascertained before PM.

This is by no means the end of the road for you. 

I also understand what it is to live with anxiety, whatever the cause, and I have found that CBT Meditation, Mindfulness, yoga breathing, and visualisation are my best friends in these times. There are many free online services for all of the above, but should you require any help, please feel free to ask - I can offer you links to sites I have found most helpful, but between Google and YouTube, it's fairly easy to access. 

Love, light and hugs, hanb

Hi Rachael!  Great responses and support from Nanny and Wayne.  What concerns me is that your doctor has made a "possible" diagnosis but you can't get in to have further testing until the end of January!!!  My experience (I am 72) was:  I was dizzy, short of breath, and blood oxy level was 72.  My GP said "something is going on and we're going to find out what it is".  He sent me directly from his office, with oxygen tank in tow for a CT scan.  I waited after the scan for the radiologist to call my doctor.  I spoke to my doctor on the phone following his discussion with the radiologist (yes, I had COPD).  My doctor set up an appointment for the same day with a Pulmonary specialist.  My point in all of this is.....I'm very concerned that you have to wait a full month for testing.  I think you need to be more agressive and insist on earlier testing.  The sooner that you get a positive diagnosis, the quicker you will be put on proper rehab/meds, etc.  Now, a year later, my blood oxy level is at 95 consistently, I am on Spiriva and Advair, I use oxygen only at night,I walk 3 miles a day, etc.  Quite frankly, if I didn't keep my meds right by my make-up mirror, I might forget to take them.  I attribute my "healthy" feeling to the fast action of my doctor.  PLEASE, Rachael, see if you can expedite your testing!!  Hugs to you!!

Thankyou s so much for your replys. I am taking it  a bit easier now. So is the idea to get all the junk up without straining too much? The Dr i have seen is a pulmorary Dr, i think i will call him Monday and ask for an earlier app. 

Hi, yes it's not nice trust me I know,,,,but it has to come up and OUT  ,I take a few deep breaths through my nose and hold for 3 seconds then exhale my lungs through the mouth fully ,YES YOU COUGH  ,if you leave the rubbish in your lungs it settles in the base of your lungs like a puddle or warm and cosy ,,,then that leads the bacteria to grow and then infection , I wish only the best ,good luck , 

Hi, today i had my lung tests. I was supposed to have an appointment with the consultant straight after but he was sick, oh well.i did manage to see the Fev , it was 81.3. Which is the lower end of normal? Did'nt see the other results. Still coughing up some green stuff, and havewhat feels like inflamed tubes, if that makes sense. On reflection i was beyond nervous and couldn't fully understand the instructions,my dutch after 6 years is still rubbish!

i have bought a hand held spiro machine from Amazon, maybe i'll get a better result in my own home. It's electronic, are they reliable?

all this is sending my health anxiety into overdrive, but i'm sure half this green stuff is coming from my sinuses as they are blocked i can feel it going down my throat sometimes. Sorry to ramble!

rachael

God willing, you will be around a long time!

I was born with severe asthma that nearly killed me 3 times before age 5 and once again at age 23, then by latter 20's lost 50% of my lung function, then by early 30's lost 20% more all due to permanent damage and at some point the diagnosis of COPD was added.

Now I am 56. Look at my picture and I appear normal when I should be blue. But I take all of my medications properly, never smoked and barely ever drank and I eat right and exercise.

God willing you will never be as bad off as me. Just keep your lungs safe from secondhand smoke and teach yourself to use breathing techniques to stay calm during difficult times and take excellent care of yourself. The medications they have today can help you live a symptom free life!

Sue wish you the best!

Dawn