So many questions.. Please help me
Im a 49 year old male.. Ex smoker.. And I've been diagnosed with COPD... But I have been told that there's nothing I can do to try and help or improve my lung capacity. I'm from Port Elizabeth, a small town in South Africa... Both doctors have instructed me to stop smoking (which i have for the past 3 months).. But told me that there's nothing I can do to improve my lungs. I've had a lung function test, and the results were extremely poor. Based on my height, weight, and age...I was supposed to be at 650..but I'm at 150. Ive become very depressed and need some advice/ knowledge regarding my condition
I’m new to this just diagnosed with copd and emphysema my damage is quite severe like you an ex smoker I stopped three yrs ago,I did vape but stopped that 10months ago.
I was told since I had stopped the vape the damage wouldn’t progress I’m very aware it will get worse,Ive not had my lung function yet but I do believe it will be poor too.
I’ve been doing breathe stacking which is quite good and continuing with breathing exercises.
I’ve just been given a blue inhaler and Anoraand Welcome to this forum! Glad you found us, it is a great place for information and support, we all are connected by this disease one way or another. Myself, I am a member just like the two of you, diagnosed now at Stage 4 (final stage, 38% lung function left) for 2 years now. You both are on the right path, quite smoking and or vaping, be proud of yourselves, it is a hard thing to accomplish and you have done it. As you have been told, there is no cure, no going back in time and it is a progressive disease. There is many things we can do for ourselves to help slow the progression and live the best lives we can. Check out the different areas of this website, just so much of information to read and learn about. Yes, can be scary at times, remember we are all different, what happens to one might not happen to another, information is our friend though.
A couple quick things is those breathing exercises that Dana30 mentioned, there is others also, just do a search in your favorite search engine and you will see. Tons of stuff on youtube.com also. Eat healthy. If you find that eating a full meal makes it a little harder to breath at times, cut back on the amount you eat at that meal and add another meal throughout the day. Example: I have 5 small meals a day and a couple snacks as I wish of course. Keep doctors appointments, take your medications as prescribed. If those medications are not working well after some time, tell your doctor immediately so a change can be made. If you have any other medical conditions keep up with those also. Avoid irritants, smells, smoke of any kind, exhaust, dust, chemicals, stay away from those that are sick if you can. Exercise, it is important to keep ourselves as strong as possible, this will help those lungs stay stronger longer, even just add some extra walking to you day to start out with, it is a super start and it helps with the depression. Speaking of that, depression, that is common for those suffering from chronic illness among other things, seek out help for it if possible, it makes a huge difference in your overall outlook on what life is still offering you. There is so much more, but that will come in time and as you read through some of the material on this website. Please always feel free to come and post, we are all here for one another. Hope this helps at least a little, many of us have been at this for decades and still going strong, you can too!thank you so much for the lengthy reply lots of things I can take away from that.
Lots of things I don’t know yet either.
So glad I have found you guysI feel some frustration about the way your doctors explained this to you. Yes, COPD is progressive and there is no cure. But -- and this is very important -- there is plenty you can do to help yourself be as healthy as possible. We have people here in this community that have lived for years, and some for even decades, with COPD. It's important to take good care of yourself and continue to live your life fully. Don't give up! I'm not sure what is available in South Africa, but there are likely various inhalers and nebulizers that can help maintain your lung function, and exercises that can help improve your breathing to some extent.
https://copd.net/living-with-copd/breathing-strategies
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting good sleep each night is a big help, too, as is exercising in whatever way you can. You can even do exercises while sitting in a chair, or walk for a minute or two. It might all seem basic, but these things can really make a difference in your strength and the way that you feel overall.
Hopefully reading some of the articles on the site and talking to the wonderful people here will encourage you. You are not alone, and we are here for you! Take it one day at a time. -Melissa, team member
