I am from Cape Town, so as you can see, COPD has no boundaries.
I was diagnosed by pure chance 2 months ago. I gave up smoking after 40 years, 18 months ago. I went to gym and thought that every was great, I was feeling great, until I got Bronchitis in November.
Since then I have not recovered. I am 60 years old and have 61% lung function. I did eventually see a Pulmonologist who did various tests, gave me a inhaler to use when doing a lung function test, put me on other medication and cortisone for 14 days. All to no avail.
I take Theophylline 300mg twice daily and Foxaire twice daily.
The rest is up to me. I have been given no help and am quite often quite breathless. I am going to lose weight, I am slightly over weight, exercise everyday and make sure that my percentage doesnt drop.
Yes, I am scared, but realise with the support of this group, and looking after myself with exercise, i will get through this part of my life.