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Hi Deidre

Thanks for replying it's so nice in these situations to know your not alone. I too am 62 and I was diagnosed a year ago with a mild dose, however 3 months ago I had bronchitis and the dr gave me a lung function test which also showed lungs of a 90 yr old, However why a dr would give me a test like that when I was so sick amazes me, anyhow since I got over that it seems okay for now,I am also a smoker but I have cut down with the help of ecigs to about 13 a week in the process of giving up, seems we have so much in common doesn't it look forward talking to you again to see how your getting along. Cheers Jill

My Goodness, we do have much in common...well done with the smoking, I have got e.lights.!! I should use them more...speak to you soon, have a fabulous day...me...a haircut and shopping then maybe a pint with my family And friends...hugs...DEIRDRE xxx

Look forward to it have a wine for me :0)

Hi Linda

Thanks for your input and replying are you still using ecigs, what are you doing about your COPD ? X

Hi, Yes I'm still using ecigs. My daughter bought me my first one for Mother's Day 2.5 years ago. The first 2 days I was using it I smoked 3 cigs a day, for the next 3 days I smoked 2 a day and the next day I smoked one and then none from then on. I didn't deliberately reduce the number I smoked.... I just didn't even think about them. Giving up smoking has never been so easy. I mix my own liquid and so I can easily reduce the amount of nicotine.

As far as my COPD is concerned I try to keep my exercise level up and I'm starting my first pulmonary rehab next month. I eat well using as much fresh fruit and veggies as I can. I'm on salbutomol (reliever) and Tiotropium and symbicort (preventers) I have just had an oxygen assessment and I am expecting my ambulatory oxygen any day. I will only need to use it when I am exercising or doing any thing strenuous.

So that's me in a nutshell, take care and stay well xx

 

Hi Linda

Hope you well, I have cut down to around 10-12 cigs a week since being told that i REALLY have COPD I'm on spiriva so I don't know if it's helping or not , I dont really have any symptoms at the moment it's only when I get sick (bronchitis) that apparantly I'm really sick so I don't know what to make of it ?

Hi Jillibean, 10 - 12 cigs a week is really good that's less than 2 a day so well done for getting down to that. The tiotropium Bromide I'm on is Spiriva. It's a powder capsule that you take with a Handihaler once a day so that looks the same as yours. You seem to suffer badly with your bronchitis attacks as do many of the other people on here. I feel really lucky because I've never had anything like that, not even a chest infection but I've seen others suffer with them including my late mother.

Perhaps the fact that you have no symptoms at the moment means that the Spiriva is working for you. Did they give you a salbutomol or any other type of reliever that you can use if you are short of breath at any time? I don't use mine a great deal but it's good to know it's in my pocket in an emergency.

It's difficult to get your head around it all when we are newly diagnosed but it's good we have this site where there is always someone who can help us. Take care, Linda x

hi Linda,

so do you think the fact your still using ecigs that they have any effect on your copd ? The doctors here in Australia are not very forthcoming with information so talking to others with the same issues as me is very helpful

luckily I don't have any shortness of breath (slight after climbing 3 sets of stairs ) but I think that may be normal , only when I get a chest infection which is normally in winter, I don't know if this will change for the worse in the future all I can do is wait and see.i have always had a puffer for preventing asthma which they tell me to use once every day

thanks for your input it really is helpful

cheers Jillibean

cheers Jillibean53

Hi Jilibean, I am positive that the ecigs help. Here in the UK doctors have sometimes been unwilling to comment on whether or not ecigs were OK. Luckily my own dr is much more willing than most to voice his own opinion on them. I spoke to him about using champix again and he said he would prescribe it for me if that was what I wanted to do. In the meantime my daughter gave me the ecig and I asked the dr what he thought of them. He said in his opinion they were far better than smoking regular cigarettes so I started using it. I've found at the hospital the COPD nurses all think they are a good thing and my pulmonoligist also says they are far better than smoking. It has just been announced over here that ecigs are 95% better than smoking and there is talk of licencing them for drs to prescribe.

As you say, I think most people would be at least slightly breathless after climbing 3 flights of stairs. I'm not a dr but I think you are in a pretty strong position and if you continue to look after yourself then you could certainly slow down any progression. 

Take care, Linda x

Hi Linda

thanks for your update, it's great news that the authorities there are considering allowing Drs to prescribe them, Australia is very backward in that, I have to buy my Nic juice in the UK as Australia do not allow it to be sold here, I'm not sure if they are good for you but what I do know is that apart from the nicotine I'm not inhaling any other poisons and that has to be a positive thought for all of us in thus situation, happy Sunday talk soon x

Hi Deirdre

i too enjoy a ciggie that's why I don't seem to be able to get off the 12 a week :0( however I think as more time goes on and I'm getting used to smoking more ecigs it seems to be getting easier, I think for me it's a mindset as well, I am a really habitual person so I need to be careful what I plan for myself because that's what I seem to be restricted to ( how silly is that) , as I just told Linda I seem to have no further symptoms at this stage I can still climb 3 sets of stairs without any issues but that's now we will see how we get along in the future, I am on Spiriva perhaps that's helping more than I think, hope your doing okay as well, what stage are you at the minute have they told you any more xx

Hi Sparky

I'm fine thanks, do you also have COPD ?

Cheers

jillie - No I don't have copd, but my mom has borderline copd/emphysema and that is why I came on these forums for some clarity on a few of my questions.  I have asthma, nothing as serious as copd. My mom was a smoker since she was maybe 15/16yrs young. She unfortunately got breast cancer in '12 and got a mastectomy. 3 years later she has borderline copd. I'm hoping you are feeling alright.