Waking up every 2-3 hours
I wake up after 2-3 hours. Coughing up phlegm etc. Takes a good hour or more to feel comfortable enough to lay back down. It's becoming a curse to lay down but gets tiring staying up. Got to sleep of course. But the unknown of what waking up is going to be like is scary. Anyone else facing this daily ritual?
Hi warenf, and thanks for your post. I am hopeful others in the community will chime in here and share their own personal experiences with COPD as regards sleeping and excessive mucus production.
I can tell you that many patients I have taken care of prefer to spend their nights in a recliner or with their head significantly elevated in their beds. They tell me it is easier for their breathing and, by sitting up, the mucus seems to be better controlled and it's easier to cough it up while their upper torso is elevated. Do you think this might be of help in your situation?
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Hi
! I just wanted to stop by and see how you're doing today. I'm also hoping that someone might join in and give their perspective. Wishing you a peaceful evening. - John M. (COPD.net Team)
Hi again, Beverly - it's always good to see your posts here. I am sorry for all you are going through - my heart goes out to you.
I did want to clarify something for you that you mentioned above. A barium swallow is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates the digestive tract/gastrointestinal area. Generally speaking, the patient drinks a liquid with barium. This enables the GI tract to be visualized on xray/fluoroscopy, which can then by evaluated by the physician. Naturally, you may want to have your own physician explain more about the test should you wind up having it performed.
Please do check back and let us know how this all turns out for you.
Good luck!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I hear you about laying down and having to cough and cough. I wonder if you have tried a WEDGE pillow. It helps you to stay elevated. I have found that I am now able to sleep in my bed again. I am on my second one in 5 years now and I love it. Barbara Moore (site moderator)
Hi, I also have a hard time sleeping more than a few hours at a time. It this normal for all late stage COPD patients? I wear oxygen and a non invasive ventilator at night and the ventilator is bothersome but this started before the ventilator and welll after the 02
Hi Tracy, and thanks for your post. As you may be aware, difficulty sleeping can be associated with this condition. Since COPD affects everyone differently, this issue may affect some patients but not necessarily all patients.
Since you mentioned that you were affected by this early on (before the use of the ventilator but, after using the supplemental oxygen therapy), have you had an opportunity to discuss this with your physician? I would be curious to hear what the doctor's opinion is on your very real concern.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
yes I've been dealing with that recently,waking up every couple hours but the mornings are bad,don't know what's in store
Hi doggy, and thanks for joining in this conversation. We appreciate you sharing how much better you feel you're doing when sleeping in a recliner. We also value you sharing other similar aspects of how you manage this condition with the community. Your input and feedback is helpful for us to read.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)mornings around 4am seems to be my latest wake up. It's rough for about an hour. Oftentimes have a headache. Caffeine seems to help although it's not recommended. I have to be careful not to get ahead of my breathing. I use an oximeter to check stability of oxygen levels.
