Tell us about your symptoms and treatment experience. Take our survey here.

ginzy2's avatar image

ginzy2

Primary Badge Member

Status

"Hello..I have been reading the site for about a week. I do have COPD, Stage 3. Actually, I was informed I had COPD at least 5 years ago, but was in the hospital with pneumonia at the time, so not much was said to me other than that. Past year, when I had to have 3 breathing treatments, my Dr., asked me if I was using the nebulizer? Huh? and then informed me that my lunch function or FEV! was 44%, and said I have lost more than half my lung function. This was news to me. All the years I have had this dr. She never told me what COPD was, except that I knew I had lung damage form 3 pneumonis (one very severe), and lots of bouts of bronchitis. But I had that even growing up, so I accepted that yes, I knew I had some scarring on my lungs..I did smoke...and quit 12 years ago! YEAH...Very hard, and was told I'd see improvement. I was never told COPD continues to get worse and even fatal, nor was Respiratory Rehab ever mentioned. I shold have also been referred to a pumonologist, which I wasn't. Anyway, sorry, I am dumping I guess...But, after being told my lung function, I freaked out..Next day I found a pulmonologist and she immediately checked my pulmomary functions, and immediately sent me to rehab, plus prescribed a nebulizer. God Bless her. At the rehab center, they were little shocked. Said I should have been there years ago..Right now, all I do is try to hang on. I am extremely depressed, and looking back at the past yera, I realized there were many things I hadn't done, because I was tired, or it was hard to walk because I also have scoliosis, and arthritis in my back from failed surgery. My biggest concern is my animals. I am now finding myself worry constantly about them and worrying that if I get sick, what do I do? I moved and my neighbors work, and I don't really know them, and my friends now live 15 miles (30 mins) away. Every time I look at my dog or cats, I start crying because they are g oing to be abandoned, and it is my fault..Sounds stupid maybe..But they are all rescues, who have already been traumatized by beingthrown away. Anyway, here I am. Most days, I do ok. I am able to get around. I force myself to walk my dog every day. I'm scared to death with my animals if I have to go into the hospital again. I'd have to insure they are up to date on all shots, not just rabies. My dog is. Other cats are due, But to take them all would cost me about $400, plus boarding per day? I have heard about $30 per animal. So a hospital stay for 3 days would cost me about $500 just for the animals. BTW, I am getting ready to start a clinical trial of losartan, which has had positive results in mice for inflammation in lungs. Elsewhere also. Haven't started it yet. I go tomorrow for CT scan to see where I am at, and am not sure if I will even get the meds, or just a placebo. I have ready there are some promising results, but not yet with humans. THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING TO ME. SORRY..."

Activity

View All
No recent activities.

About ginzy2

  • Member Since 2019

Activity

View All
No recent activities.