How do you deal with knowing what it's going to do to you, when your times up.
I was told two and a half years ago that I had asthma, chronic bronchitis ,COPD , and in stage 3 emphysema, I didn't believe them. I partied, smoked ,drank and did so everyday. Until last year, my lungs got so bad that I had to go in and have surgery done, I was struggling to breathe, I couldn't walk without taking a few steps and had to set down before I passed out.I can't take steroids because I'm allergic to them, infact I'm allergic to a lot of the drugs that treat my conditions . With that being said; here lately it's been really hard to breathe, walking takes it out of me fast, I'm so wore out , I feel like I'm suffocating all the time.
I watched my grandmother and my aunt passed away of COPD and emphysema and in the end their death was awful. And it will be the same for me, and it makes this harder being alone, because watching them struggle to just get some air to breathe and it puts so much pressure on the heart too. That you want to just go ahead and give up. I don't want to put my loved ones through that, hell I don't want to go through that, I have my days where I want to end it, so I don't go out like that. Can someone tell me that there's hope, yes I know it's bad, but it's not like it used to be is it, where your suffering and miserable because you can't get the help that you need. there has to be more natural ways somewhere out there that will help me, since the medicine they use to heal us, I'm allergic to . I'm not sure where or what or even how I'm going to make it through this.
Hi
. Welcome to the community! My heart goes out to you. Steroids are such a key part of COPD treatment. It must be difficult to get by without them. You are not alone though. We have other members who can't use steriods for a variety of reasons. Your situation might feel hopeless right now, but it is not. We have members who were diagnosed at stage 4 and are still with us, living life as fully as possible, two decades later. Everyone is different and everyone's progression is different.
Anything you can do now to improve the functioning of your lungs and your body's efficiency in using oxygen will help. That means quitting smoking (if you haven't done so already) and getting as much exercise as you are able. Exercise is a big word, but it has different definitions for people with COPD than it does for people whose physical abilities are not comprimised. It basically means doing a little more than usual to challenge your vascular system. For you, that might mean walking to the mailbox and back once a day or doing arm rotations while sitting in a chair. Hopefully, you will find that you can do more over time.
Here is an article about natural COPD treatments: https://copd.net/treatment/natural-remedies-overview. I hope others chime in here with treatments and lifestyle changes that have been helpful for them as well.
You don't have to suffer the same fate as family members who suffered from COPD before you. Most people with COPD today will live long enough to die from other causes. You have a huge community of people here to support you on this journey. Please reach out whenever you need support or a place to vent. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
hi I’m 66 female recently diagnosed COPD ,PAD & CHF. My mom died of COPD I watched her die for 5 days. Awful horrific time. Is that what I have to look for. What’s going to slap me first ? Pam smith Hi Pam (
). I am so very sorry for your loss. Witnessing the death of anyone from lung disease is awful, but it is so much worse when it is someone you love. My heart goes out to you. Thankfully, treatment for cardiac conditions and COPD has improved dramatically over the decades and even in recent years. It's impossible to say whether any of those conditions will become fully debilitating, but you likely have many more years ahead of you and new treatments might become available in that time. I hope you will try to live your life as fully as possible and that you don't have to worry about any of that for a long time to come. Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)
Thank you for the info I have all of these and a couple more. I appreciate you taking the time to do the things you found for me some either don't know they exist or can't afford them. I'm going to go look into a few things that you all have sent me and thank you for caring.
After having a heart attack in May this year. "Stemi". and large blood clot removed.
3 Stents and 2 months later the LAD stent. I kept on thinking Please Dear God. Let me live. Thank God the wife rushed me to the hospital. It is close. A compound problem with the stage 3-4 COPD i have. I have accepted my destiny. Just keep on thinking positive thoughts that a lot of times brings happiness to my being. Very true to the statement. People have no clue on the challenges of just breathing day to day for us that suffer.
, I hear how scary that must have been but it sounds like you are doing your best to keep a positive mindset and that is so important. We are here to offer you any support or even just an ear to listen whenever you need. All the best, Sam S. (COPD team).
I was previously a hospice nurse. When the time comes, hospice will be able to help you with physical, emotional, and even spiritual issues if you choose.
I've been in Hospice for 2 years now. They are wonderful. They give you all you need to keep you comfortable. It's not only for the dying. It beats going to the hospital or doctor. Im stage 3‐4. Quality of life, not so good.
Thank you for your compassion in working with a great organization ❤️
We have Death With Dignity. Not all states have it in their laws. So sad. It's an awful disease to live with. I give up. I was diagnosed 25 years ago. The last 5 have been awful. Who can do this and say I'm happy to be alive. I'm strong, but this is too much.
Thank you for listening ❤️
