Waking and Washing - Worst Part of the Day with my COPD - Hate It
I think I am on stage 3 COPD, I think. Had it for many years, bur COVID finally did for me. I really struggle in the mornings, even getting up is hard.
Just sitting up on the side of the bed once awake, I have to sit for a few minutes, before standing and pulling the bedding back in place, Then another wait to get the short walk to the bathroom (about 20 paces)
Then a sit on the toilet. Then I lean on the sink to fill the sink for my wash, all this takes ages, with regular breaks and leaning on the sink all the time. Then back to my room to dress (sitting down). The whole process is about an hour.
I hate rising and washing. It is my lowest point of the day.
But once downstairs . (I have a stairlift) things improve, I make tea and toast (with regular breaks and leaning on the counter top).
Then usually do my Pulmonary Rehab Exercises. I can then walk out to my car (about 60 paces) and go to the supermarket, using the trolley as a walk aid and can do a shop.
But it is the mornings that gets me depressed. Any tips anyone? Or is just me?
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You are not alone in the slow start in the morning. I am slow to start also. Not to the extent as you are though. After getting up and putting on sweat pants, socks, and slippers, a trip to the bathroom is first. Next, I turn on the morning news and sit in my Lazy Boy chair to work on clearing out my lungs and sinuses for the morning. This usually takes a good 30-45 minutes. I do not rush it, just let it take as along as it takes. Then take my morning meds and maintenance inhaler. After that I usually do the brush my teeth and shave and shower on shower days. Shower days are every other day for me. Then it is breakfast. this is usually a good 1-2 hour process. I don't rush it. After that I run any errands I have to and then daily exercise. As all us COPD sufferers know, some days are better than others. It also depends on how good of sleep I get. Some nights I am up several times coughing and do not sleep well. This obviously slows down my morning routine because of less energy. Nights of good sleep are followed by easier days and more energy. I really do not have any advice to help because everyone's COPD experiences are exclusive to them. No two are alike. I just wanted you to know, you are not alone. I don't think anyone's COPD mornings are very good. It just takes time to get going. Talk to your medical team for help. They would have more suggestions than I. Take care and God Bless!Good to hear from you, I know we are all different and there is no silver bullet. When I wrote my piece I was feeling pretty low, I had a particularly bad morning that day. It does get me down sometimes, the struggle each day, Thanks fro your reply, very uplifting for me
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That is another COPD side effect. Feeling Low. I get that way some days. It is pretty much unavoidable. One just gets tired of the same crappy stuff every day. I get tired of coughing up mucus. I get tired of feeling tired. I get tired of not being able to be outside as much as I used to, due to air quality or temperature. I get tired of not being able to do the physical things I used to. I get tired of not being able to be outside playing with my grandsons. The list goes on and on. But I cannot think of those things or I would be constantly miserable. I do my best to think positively and enjoy the things I can still do. Watching movies, playing video games, playing and recording music on my keyboard, reading books, etc. So hang in there and try to keep a positive attitude. Take care and God Bless!
It takes a long time to retrain your thinking to find the positives daily and avoid dwelling on the negatives and the countless changes we have gone through. My wife and the kids are always watching it seems, trying to make me take things easy. Not to overextend.
I let them know that if I can lie down, I will lie down and may not get back up. I need to challenge myself, push limits, and try to get some sort of normalcy back in my life. I am sure you are all familiar with the challenges we face daily with this stuff we call life.
But I am here. I am looking down at the dirt, and not up at it. It means that it is a fine start to the day. If it takes longer, that's OK. Life has turned from throwing a hot dog down my neck and running ahead. Now? I find that I need to accept it, the changes that is, and savor the moments instead of cursing them.
It is never easy, but it does become a little better every day as long as I can keep things in that perspective.
