My mums copd
Hello I'm new to this forum. My mum has always been a heavy smoker and was diagnosed with COPD around 10 years ago. Until now her main symptoms were chronic coughing and bad coughing fits. In the last month she starting feeling breathless and on Christmas Day went to hospital and is now receiving steroids and nebulisers. I'm just wondering how long does it take for the flare up to improve, how long is she likely to be in hospital ? this is her first real flare up I'm feeling very anxious with worrying about her any advice would be appreciated. I keep panicking she will be stuck like this forever now x
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Flare ups are different for everyone. They can last from a couple days to a couple weeks. How long your mother is likely to be in the hospital is a question for her doctor. There is no way for anyone on this forum board to ascertain how long your mother might be kept there. As far as her being stuck like this forever, I think you can safely not panic and worry. Is your mother still smoking? Is she on a treatment plan? Does she have a pulmonologist? Is she on oxygen at home? All these questions are questions for her medical team. You need to talk to her doctor to get the answers you seek. Wish I could help more. Take care and God Bless!
Hi @Annie89j, welcome to our community. I am so glad you found our site. I can understand your concern and worry about your mom. Like our community member Dminor9 has said, flare ups are different for everyone. These questions would be great to ask her doctor as they would know her situation the best. I really hope she can get relief soon. Please do keep us posted. We will be thinking about her. Jill, COPD.net, team member
Hi Annie, and welcome! I see you are (as you said), a new member having joined earlier today. We are glad to see you are already becoming engaged with the community be starting a conversation in our forums section.
I see my colleague,, and community member, , have already responded to you and provided excellent suggestions and support.
I also have something to contribute. When it comes to COPD and exacerbations, or flare-ups related to COPD, they can be different for each patient. They can also vary considerably for the same patient from flare-up to flare-up. Not everyone is aware of that.
Should you want to read a bit more about exacerbations, I think it may provide you with some additional insight so you can have a better understanding of what is happening with your Mom's disease. I thought this article would be a good place for you to begin: https://copd.net/living/exacerbations.
If we can assist you with anything, please let me or any other moderator / team member know.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
It's completely understandable to be worried about your mom. But, the best thing for her is to be where she is getting the help she needs. As others have said, exacerbations are different for each person and so many things play a part in that; age, lung condition, other health problems, and so forth.
In the meantime, try to take care of yourself and try not to be overly anxious - which I realize is easier said than done. This site has some great articles that should help with your anxiety in understanding the progression of COPD.suggested one that's excellent and there are many others. I especially find comfort in the life experiences of those that have COPD. They have great suggestions and recommendations to help those that suffer with it and help for families that are caring for loved ones with COPD, such as yourself.
Take care and please let us know how your mom is doing.
Best,
Lyn (site moderator, COPD.net)
