I always feel tired and out of breath
i feel tired and out of breath is this normal with copd i always feel dizzy and my balance is gone,is this normal with copd?
Hi @ margureticatz, I am so glad you reached out. While I do hope you hear from our community members with their experiences, we do hear often that COPD makes people feel tired, out of breath with potential balance issues. Jill, team member
margureticatz,
I can only speak from my own experience. I spent a week in ICU last fall with mycobacterial pneumonia and bleeding lungs. The resident pulmonologist cauterized the problem spots in my lungs and put me on a recovery program. I had been diagnosed with COPD which weakened my lungs and made the pneumonia infection easier to take hold. I am 68 years old and here I am almost 8 months later and have learned a lot of things about COPD and how to cope with it.
First off, I read everything I could find on the internet abut COPD. I ask my doctor a ton of questions, and don't hesitate to call his medical team with any problem or question I have. I consider myself lucky because my doctor and his team respond within hours to any problem or question, I have. I have had a breathing test which put my lung capacity at 78%. Not terrible, but not great. I was given an Acapella and a Voldyne 5000 to do daily breathing exercises. I was shown how to do them and told to perform these exercises 5 times daily at 10 repetitions each. I do them religiously. They really have helped me cough up excess mucus and be able to breathe
gas-poweredThelbs.now,corticosteroid
Theseisolated butandpulmonaryJill,
Half of my post did not make it. Is there a limit on words or something I am not aware of?
Hi Dminor - although I cannot presume to answer for my colleague, I can tell you that the posts you have submitted the last day or so do not exceed any limit at all. I am sorry for the inconvenience but I am also pleased to see you hanging in there and getting your thoughts published for us to read.
Since, I believe this also happened to you yesterday (and once again, you rose to the occasion and submitted your comments), is it possible you are hitting the 'post reply' button inadvertently?
I know sometimes, this platform the community uses (NEXUS), can have some unexpected glitches depending on one's technology at home or, just a NEXUS glitch of its own.
Keep doing what you're doing and a close eye on your typing as well - perhaps you will discover the cause.
Thanks so much!
Leon (site moderator)
margureticatz,
I am going to try and finish my post. The breathing exercises with the Acapella and Voldyne 5000 help me cough up excess mucus and breath better. I exercise everyday whether I want to or not. After several months, I have more energy and breathe better. I have gotten rid of my gas-powered lawn mower for an electric one, which is 40 lbs. lighter. Makes mowing a whole lot easier. I now break up the yard work into several days instead of doing it all at one time. I have taken on a part time job. I do not go outside when pollen, dust, or molds are high. When temps get above 85-90 degrees, I stay inside as I cannot breathe easily in the heat. I use my prescribed inhalers on time all the time. I use an air purifier in my house.
It is hard not to get depressed and not feel isolated. Stay in touch with family and friends. Stay in touch with your doctor. If he/she does not respond, consider finding a new doctor. Ask about a pulmonary rehabilitation program. All these things combined have helped me cope and feel better about living with COPD. Our lives are what we make them. We can feel sorry for ourselves, or we can do something about it. I choose to do something about it and do everything I can to make living with COPD better for myself. Keep your chin-up and don't give up. God Bless!
