COPD and pneumonia
Greetings,
I've had COPD for years. I usually get flaw-ups every winter with bronchitis. This year I have been sick since November- bronchitis, December- RSV, January- bronchitis. February/March- I was discharged on Thursday from a 5 day hospitalization for pneumonia. I'm home on oxygen. Is there a good chance I can quit the o2 when the pneumonia is gone? I still smoke
since we are all different there is no real answer for you, it's going to depend solely on you, your body and your recovery. The best thing you can do for yourself right now is to follow the care instructions given to you and hopefully you have a follow-up appointment with a Pulmonologist / Doctor in the next week or 2. I so wish you luck for the best turn out possible! Thank you!
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I agree with everything dltld said, but I want to add one thing. In my humble opinion, the best thing you can do is quit smoking! It is a proven fact that smokers are more prone to respiratory infections than non-smokers. Ask your medical team for help if you cannot quit on your own. Once you quit smoking, you will notice a significant improvement in your respiratory health. Take care and God Bless.
Hi Jazzsma, and welcome. I see you are a new member here, having joined
just yesterday, late in the evening. We are glad to see you have already engaged with the community
through these, your first two posts.
I also noticed that our good fellow members,and , have already responded with sound
responses for your concerns. I concur with all they have said - each one is 'spot on!' I also have something to contribute.
From what you have shared here, you were hit pretty hard these past few months - bronchitis, respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV). bronchitis (again), and pneumonia - all on top of a COPD diagnosis.
Since, based on what you've said, you were only discharged on oxygen following the pneumonia episode, it would
be reasonable to expect you might not need oxygen once the pneumonia is completely resolved. However, as 'dltld'
has suggested, this will all be dependent on how your lungs recover from the previous several months of diseases, all
of which affect the lung. As well, as 'dminor' has said, the best action you can take now, would be to strive to quit smoking.
If you are able to do that, it should be quite beneficial for your pulmonary recovery and health moving forward.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)Hello Jazzsma, I am sorry you had to go through all of that. I know it is not easy. I have had some of the same problems. The best thing I can tell you is please quit smoking as soon as possible. It won't be easy, but it can be done. I smoked for 56 years and never thought I could quit but I did. If you can, you will notice that you will feel better than you did. It will still be difficult because of the nature of COPD but it will help you. Wishing you the best for the future.
Hi again, CM58322c - once again I would like to congratulate you on stopping smoking! That is one big accomplishment, generally speaking but, in your case, after 56 years - it is really quite a hurdle that you were able to get past successfully!
We appreciate you sharing your experiences here with the community.
Warmly,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
