never tested for COPD
I was never tested for COPD, I was just told offhandedly that I had it because I had gotten bronchitis again. Here I am with bronchitis again, I believe it is due to the CPAP. I do smoke and have been since I was about 13, I am now 63. I am in the process of quitting smoking and it is so hard to do. I am on advair, albuterol and Montelukast tabs.
I was once told that if I have COPD and I try to quit smoking my breathing won't get any better. Which is one reason why I said why should I quit? After reading some of the stories here, I am hopeful that it will get a little bit better. Thank you all for the uplift.
Hi
! I hope you start feeling better soon. Have you ever seen a pulmonologist for a COPD diagnosis? If you do have COPD, there are medications and treatments that can help beyond what you are doing now. There most certainly are benefits to giving up smoking and I hope you succeed. Here is an article that explains the benefits and offers some tips for quitting: https://copd.net/living/rewards-quitting-smoking-nutshell. Please know that you are not alone and that you will not be judged here. Smoking is a powerful addiction. Quitting is hard. We know that. We are here for you whenever you need us. Best of all wishes. - Lori (Team Member) 
Hi. I'm sorry that you're going through so much bronchitis without the real answers you need. Chronic bronchitis is one part of the COPD experience, but the only way to confirm that is with a pulmonary function test. I echo Lori's advice to seek further information and, if you do have COPD, a medication plan to help you manage your symptoms. You might also want to consider pulmonary rehab, which is like physical therapy sessions with a focus on your lung health. That would be beneficial with the recovery from bronchitis, anyway.
One more thought -- are you cleaning your CPAP machine regularly? They can collect a lot of bacteria, for sure. Here is an article from our sister site for Sleep Disorders that can give you some tips if you need them:
https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/clean-cpap
Please keep us posted. We have lots of resources and are happy to help you as you navigate all this. -Melissa, team member10 years ago I quit (against the odds) and it did indeed improve the airways. . . I reckon I'd have passed long ago if not quit.
No strategy, I just did my usual thing with all addictions, i.e. keep trying to give up, then fail, try again until much damage is done and then finally on pain of death, give up (and 6 years of chewing gum alongside). Now I'm doing the same thing with various antagonising foods like cheese that aggravate the COPD. . . just keeping trying to reduce it all, slowly, slowly making some progress. If that's a strategy, then that's my strategy! Totally understandable. A lot of times we give up while kicking and screaming! No judgment here. -Melissa, team member
Hi rmgw61..
My name is Gabby..I
WAS tested for COPD about 20 years ago, and the diagnosis was that it was mild COPD!! So..20 plus years go by, with two of these recent years, smoking like a fiend ..As I was going thru anxiety issues, that my NP was trying to manage, but NADA!
A YEAR OR SO GOES BY AND …..’out of the blue’, on a Saturday in late May 2023, I LITERALLY COULD NOT BREATHE!! Can we say S C A R Y?
I was rushed by ambulance and admitted immediately, which seemed like a whirlwind..This was apparently called a flare up, or an exacerbation, and this was my first/initial experience with oxygen, oxymeters, inhalers, etc.
This is when this woman, me, Gabby, who is 73, and had smoked since she was 15, ceased the horrible addiction of smoking..It seemed quite easy in the hospital, with no one smoking, and with the patch and gum, plus I was too ill at the beginning to even know where I was..
I don’t need to go on, which you all are thankful for, 🧐😘🤷🏻♀️no doubt, but I haven’t had BRONCHITIS since my 30’s, so seriously?? This is how they diagnosed you?
It is true that with COPD, YOU MIGHT BE MORE SUSEPTIBLE TO IT, as well as colds and pneumonia..but these illnesses DO NOT mean you have COPD!!
As a few of ‘the good fighters’ said above, that a certain type of breathing test needs to be performed, to diagnose COPD!
I seriously..SERIOUSLY cannot believe nor comprehend why someone would say your breathing wouldn’t get better even if you stopped smoking if you have COPD!,
YES IT DOES!!
YES IT CAN!!
Also, the Nicoderm Patch and Nicoderm gum, both together, worked for cravings for myself and my partner..They suggested we both stop together!!
LOL..
So.. now almost TWO years at the end of May, we are still non smokers!!
I still want to sometimes, but I don’t..
I have multiple major medical issues, like CKD Stage 3, which they caught on one of the multiples of blood draws they did in the hospital …
FYI..Actually for everyone’s info..I caught a cold about 4 weeks ago, and it was a nasty, long and exhausting one..my Nebulizer, which I used a few times a day, for the first couple of days, I am convinced, helped me NOT have an EXACERBATION!!
My MD agreed ..
I drank tons of water, and took MUSINEX, so I could cough all the nasty goop up..
no bronchitis etc..
I have a muscular skeletal issue going on currently, because of a nasty cut in my foot, done by an arrogant, lying, narcissistic podiatrist, that had me walking ‘off center’, thus creating all kinds of issues.. I have been in excruciating pain, using an old cane to get to PT, who just sent my doc, her evaluation of what she believes is the CORE issue and her thoughts on how to treat it, and my MD just got in touch with me, no doubt with those results..
I believe they are both leaning towards a Psyiatrist (sp), who specializes in spine/muscle/nerve issues..
I wish ou the best of the best,
With lots of ‘Good Luck’
And Positive Vibes being sent your way!!
Gabby
Maine
P.S. I am open for you to bounce any questions or suggestions off of me.. We all need to ‘stick together’, yes?
G.
❤️🩹😊❤️🩹Thanx for all your positive feedback..
Low place right now with this spine pain, referring pain from my spine being messed up..
I got thru ACCEPTING COPD
I got thru ACCEPTING CKD..Yes…I am already in our sister site!😊
I HAVE to get thru this life stopping pain, and all it’s accompanying issues..Will no doubt finally seeing and finding help with a psyiatrist(sp), with a shot or ?? In my spine..
My low place is my partner is not doing well psychiatrically..Depression I am afraid..I have been diagnosed with MDD so I get it, but e just up and went to bed, hours ago, leaving me with tons of ‘house’ upkeep to do..
My biggest hindrance is there are 30 stairs to climb to get to my condo, which I used to almost run up almost 30 years ago when I bought it..
HA!! No more!!
It’s in an old schoolhouse that was rehabbed into 7 condo units..
I/we to move but he won’t even discuss it..
I need to go for now..
I am whining on and on, and I need to do something about it..
Talk again I hope..
Gabby
MaineNot whining ... everyone needs a space to vent and we are here to be that for everybody.
My heart goes out to your partner. You and I both know that it can be just as disabling as any physical illness. But you also don't deserve to have everything dumped on you, you have your own things going on!
Two things:
1) Is your partner seeing a counselor or open to it?
2) Have you talked to him about how you need his help around the house? Maybe something like "Before you go to bed tonight, can you please take a few minutes and help me with (the dishes, the laundry, etc)? It's a lot to handle by myself."
Or maybe his doctor/NP could talk with him.
Thinking of you and sending hugs. -Melissa, team member
