Medications

Thanks for that . I will get better. It's just my flare ups are really scarey and although my diagnoses was only a year ago it seems to be getting worse so quickly. My GP is watching me like a hawk. I haven't even told anybody at work because I know someone who got the sack their excuse was that he never declared the illness on his application. Not a leg to stand on in tribunal. Sorry once again.

Hi again, Martyn - no need to apologize - you are always welcome (and safe!), in our online community! You make a good point - flare-ups can be scary, no matter how long one has had a COPD diagnosis.
Since you were diagnosed last year, and the physician in who you have total confidence, is watching you so closely, you may want to set aside some time with him, to have a frank discussion about your present level of disease. In addition, you'll want to touch base on such topics as a treatment plan, medication regimen and what you can expect as this moves forward.
From my perspective, the more one knows about this disease, the better able they will be to manage it in concert with their physician.
If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let me or any other moderator / team member know.
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)

if it helps I just started oxygen therapy at the beginning of July and wow what a difference in how I feel. Yes, I too was scared as the doctors were telling me, but having seen my father handle his severe COPD and Heart disease issues by himself the last 10yrs of his life, he did very well. So I said hey you can do this and here I am! O2 therapy will get your breathing and O2 levels up where they need to be, keeping the rest of your system up and running like it's suppose to. As for feeling like passing out, no not really anymore since I started on the O2. Sleeping is better also, feeling a little more rested is helpful on it's own.
You can still do as your doing, just feeling better and truthfully you will be safer along with those around you if you are driving still. Just take your little buddy oxygen tag-a-long tank with you of course. At first it is a little problematic, but you will get use to it and position it where you will be comfortable.


As for talking or keeping something from your son. I get that too, but the only person(s) you are hurting is yourself and your son. By not telling him what is happening with you and if he finds out from someone else, he will be very hurt and then even maybe angry with you. Just let him know you got this handled, but if you need him you will let him know. I learned this one with my own daughters, oops, we are all good now.


Things to help you to put your mind at more ease and even have someone come in to "check" on you.
1) contact your local Department of Aging and Disability Agency - they could have a program such as " Meals on Wheels" you could qualify for. This would mean that someone
would come in with a meal a day or a few days a week and be "checking up" , they are taught if you don't answer the door to have a wellness check done right away.
2) same agency above, some areas have volunteers that work with the agency - to come and sit and spend an hour or two with you, reading, talking or chit chatting... again it would be yet another person that you meet, be friends and checking in on you.
3) Make arrangements with a friend, neighbor or family member to call you at a certain time of day or a certain day of the week, knowing this arrangement then they would know to send for call for a "Wellness Check" via 911 if needed. Church or Social group in town that you may belong to can do the same.
4) What about getting a "First Alert" system, you know that commercial " I have fallen and I can't get up" my dad had one of those. The button was really cool that you can hang around your neck or on a wrist band. My father had a habit of touching it in the middle of the night while sleeping, they responded every time asking if things were okay, he heard them loud and clear even without his earring aids in. They were there to on the cople of occasion that he needed an ambulance.. Its awesome and a piece of mind knowing a touch will get you the help you need NOW.
5) Local Community Center or Senior Center, they usually have misc type programs that have volunteers and others that could be helpful, or just go be social with them...have a little fun, get out of the house if you can.
6) Talk to your doctor, Primary Care and Pulmonologist, tell them exactly what you stated here and they may be able to get your insurance to help with someone coming it to help out and one form or another. If not they might have a list of Agencies or contact in formation for those that would be of assistance to you.
7) just for your information, your local mail person has been watching over you too without you even knowing. My husband is retired now from the Post Office, they are told if a person does not pick up there mail in normal manner as they were, they are to call for a "Wellness Check" also. Yes, they are watching your mail to see if it might pile up in the box.


That's my thoughts for now on this matter, you can do this, you are strong and independent person, just needing a little help and reassurance, making sure your son can stay in Germany a little longer with out worrying about you.


I wish you the best, Hoping others will chime in to give other suggestions but the few above can get you started. Best to you, Doris

Hi again, Doris, and thanks for sharing all this detail based on your own personal experience. It is invaluable for all of us here, both team members and community members alike!
Warmly,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)

Hi again, Martyn, and thanks for your two most recent posts and, for acknowledging the excellent advice, suggestions, and information shared by our fellow member, .
I trust that now, with more information, some of your 'fears' have been lessened. And just look how much better it is for your son to have been included in this oh-so-important aspect of your life!
Please know, that should you need anything from the community team members, please feel free to let me or any other moderator / team member / community member know. We are all here to assist and support one another!

Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)

Your welcome, this is why we are all here, trying to help one another if we can or even helping ourselves by asking questions of others. Love this forum, so many caring and informative people. Awesome a new phone on the way, the tech world can be so helpful and so confusing at the same time, but YEAH it's being helpful for you now! THEN to add to that your son is involved, better yet, helps put his mind at ease too! I have been doing a lot of checking in to things like I stated above just for any possible future needs I might have and making notes, keeping near by so I have it if ever needed. Letting my children (adults) know where it's located and what it has, along with my doctors phone numbers, meds, medical history and family medical history. This way if anyone finds it they to can have answers if needed to assist me if needed. One can never be to prepared when it comes to our health and well being. Sure hope you will keep us up-to-date on that new phone sends interesting and if you go on O2 therapy. If has been a God send to me and how I feel so much better, less aches and pains, better sleep which helps with the mind and it's crazy thoughts sometimes, stability in safety... Much Luck dear sir and please keep us posted.