I’m fairly new in having copd and possibly asthma
So what is the one thing that you would do that had an immediate impact on your copd. I am not a smoker and have never been, so I cannot quit smoking.
Hi.
Thank you for your post. And great question. You are right -- if you have never smoked then you cannot quit. I look forward to what others here in the community might offer as tips for you. In the meantime, I have an idea of my own. I think the best place to start is by finding a doctor you feel comfortable working with -- and who understands COPD well. This doctor should be able to help you find the best treatment regimen that works best for you. I also have other tips that I share in this post (https://copd.net/living/tips-managing). One of my colleagues wrote a similar post here (https://copd.net/living/10-steps-coping). What do you think? John. community moderator. I did read the link and thank you for that! I have been doing a lot of research lately trying to figure out the ins and outs of the disease(s). So I am perplexed with my own diagnosis as I have been told I have mild copd, I also have a pulmonary hypertension diagnosis (regular hypertension too) and also per doctors recommendation I am on night time oxygen therapy to be used with my obstructive sleep apnea (cpap). Also there has been a lot of talk about right side heart problems for a lot of people with copd; I have left vent hypertrophy (right side heart is fine). I am at a loss trying to understand all the weirdness of my diagnoses. Does this sound odd to anyone else?
Thank you for the update—it's understandable to feel perplexed with multiple diagnoses, especially when they seem to contradict what you’ve heard. COPD, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea often overlap, but everyone’s experience with these conditions can vary. Regarding the right-sided heart issues, it’s true that many people with advanced COPD develop cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure). However, in cases like yours, where COPD is mild, it’s not uncommon for the right side to remain unaffected. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is often linked more with high blood pressure (hypertension), which might explain why the left side of your heart is involved.
Your combination of conditions is complex, but you're definitely not alone in feeling confused. It's good that you’re doing research and staying proactive—keeping the lines of communication open with your doctors can help you piece it all together. Have they explained how each condition might be interacting in your case? John. community moderator.
I have first time appointments coming up with a cardiologist and pulmonologist..... I have I think been able to understand some things, for instance if the body is short on oxygen then that affects how the heart functions. Certainly our unique bodies are all interconnected with all the organs and functions of them. When something is off because of one problem or another it can throw the entire body off, thus putting stress on other organs to try to counter failures of others. For instance heart works harder for failures of the lungs working adequately, if my understanding is on. Weirdly also my heart averages 55 bpm at night but my oxygen levels aren’t that great. So would seem like heart would compensate for lack of oxygen and beat harder. Upcoming appointments will give me a better understanding hopefully!
Good luck with your upcoming appointment. Please do keep us posted what you learn from your doctors. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator.
Thank you John, I appreciate your correspondence and taking a bit of time out of your day to communicate with me.
