new to copd
Posted , 2 users are following.
hiya ive been reading some of your discussions, and i do feel better reading them. im seeing my GP today to discuss about my early stages of copd and he will be hopefully getting me on some medications. ive been gradually getting worse with my breathing and chest pain prob since january. ive been treated for angina has i had my heart attack in 2015 and have had probs since then really. im am feeling upset about it all and i have cried about it. i feel its all my fault. im 59 i started smoking when i was 39 smoked for 18 yrs and gave up in 2014. average 15 to 20 a day. i think i want someone to say its not your smoking thats done this. i feel guilty remorse i feel i dont deserve the nhs to help me cos its all my fault. i didnt feel so guilty about my heart attack as my mum and my uncle both died of HA. i know im been a silly. but i had a real good cry yesterday to my husband, so hopefully today we we see our GP i will hold it together. it just seems crazy that after i gave up smoking ive never been so poorly what with the heart attack. and now the chest pain and breathless. im struggling round the house at the moment, my husband helps like he strip the bed and does all that cos im just so knackered and out of breath. i would be grateful if you could maybe say what questions i should be asking today. ive requested some leaflets from the british lung foundation people. i think im looking for answers and hoping its nothing to do with smoking im kidding my self dont you think. thanks for listening. well you all will be in bed cos it 3.30 in the morning. i seem to wake up a few times through the night. prob cos this is on my mind. trying some hot milk just now lol love julie xxx
1 like, 2 replies
aitarg35939 julie07318
Posted
Hi Julie
I hope that you managed to get some sleep! I use warm milk sometimes, with some cinnamon & honey.
You quit smoking! That is phenomenal! Give yourself some credit, please. There are folks with COPD who still smoke who wish they had quit or could quit. As to deserving health care, do you think that alcoholics & junkies don't deserve care? What about over-eaters? Self-harmers, also known as cutters? Anorectics? What about Type A workaholics who have strokes and heart attacks before they're 50?
You deserve health care, and you have to believe that because you're going to have to be pro-active. What you need to know from the doctor now:
1. Are they certain that there's no heart or fluid problem adding to your breathing issues?
2. What are the results from your spirometry tests?
3. Which kind of COPD do you have, as it's an umbrella term for several lung diseases.
4. What medication can you try? Make sure you understand how to use each medicine. If there are inhalers, ask if a spacer would be helpful.
5. How long before you should notice improvement from the meds? This is important
aitarg35939
Posted
Sorry!
It's important to know how quickly youshould notice improvement because there are many different lung meds and some will work better than others.
6. Can you have a referral to pulmonary rehab, and are you strong enough to exercise, even if that means 3 minute walks indoors several times daily.
Someone else might add more questions. I'm in the States & we don'tget pulmonary rehab here unless we're at death's door, or very wealthy. But the good thing is that you're young, you quit smoking already, you've got a kind, considerate & helpful mate, and you're going to start taking care of your lungs. Exercise is key in maintaining what you've got. Eat properly. When you know which kind of COPD it is, go online & look for breathing exercises for that particular issue.
All of this is a lot, especially coming on top of the heart attack. Your life has changed, and that's definitely tear-worthy. But: you're still alive! You will learn to live WITH this!
You're in my prayers.
Aitarg