My copd is getting worse
I’m fed up of coughing on a night it seems worse on a night I try and talk to myself while having these coughing fits because I feel afraid while I’m coughing and can’t get my breath I take my inhalers and they make me shake and feel a bit panicked xx
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I would contact my medical provider for starters about the coughing. I am sure there is something they can do to help calm the coughing at night. Some of the things I do to keep from coughing at night are sleeping with a wedge to keep my upper body slightly elevated, using my acapella and spirometer machines several times a day to help expel excess mucus before going to bed, using my inhalers before bed to open airways and help me sleep, use pursed lip breathing to help keep me calm, and meditating on body relaxation and steady breathing while falling asleep. These things are not 100% effective all the time, but they work a majority of the time. There are still nights when I wake up coughing and have to get up and work through it. One thing to not do is panic and worry. This just adds to it and makes things worse. I know it is hard not to panic when coughing and not being able to breath. I use pursed lip breathing to calm myself and get my breathing under control. It does take some practice, but it works for me. Talk to your doctor and work out a plan to help you in these situations. Good luck and God Bless!thank you so much for your reply and help take good care x
4 the panicky stress perhaps try a cold cloth/paper towel or bag of frozen vegs an place it tween ur eyes for 2 seconds repeat if /when needed
i have used the cold paper towel n it works well
the reason it works is 'it refocuses the brain to present n not flight/panic mode,"
Hi Yvonne. I've been reading some of your recent posts and I hear how much you are going through right now. Life with COPD can be so uncertain. Have you talked with your doctor about maybe adjusting your medication? This could help with the jitters at the very least -- perhaps there is a similar medication that you won't feel so shaky on. I also recommend the pursed lip breathing that Dminor mentioned to you -- here is a video that explains more about how to do that: Talking to yourself in a positive way is a great technique for helping to get through coughing times! You may also want to remind yourself when you feel jittery that the inhaler is causing those feelings, and that you've experienced them before.
We are here for you and please feel free to write to us any time -- you don't have to go through this by yourself! Sending a hug to you today. -Melissa, copd.net teamthank you I will try this breathing thank you for your support x
Are you or have you ever participated in a pulmonary rehabilitation program? Do you have any devices at home that exercise your respiratory muscles? Do you have a flutter device at home to help break up phlegm? What is your doctor’s plan for you? A flutter device is something you blow into to create a fluttering/vibration effect in your airways. It’s that simple. I use an Aerobika. Another popular brand is Acapella. The fluttering is very effective in loosening phlegm in your airways, making it much easier to cough it up and out.
The respiratory muscular therapy device I use is The Breather. It strengthens your respiratory muscles so you can breath deeper. Think of weight lifting for your lungs.
I use both devices twice a day, six days a week. I’ll never be without them. This approach works in managing my COPD.
Hope that helps!
thanks for sharing this information with ! Many in our community have shared how helpful they have found these devices, but I would definitely encourage you to speak with your doctor before trying one to see what they recommend! All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, team member).
