Recently diagnosed... looking for encouragement

1 min read

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with COPD very recently. I have spent a lot of time trying to ignore it. Now I’m ready to do more about it. It scares I have been reading a lot of the information on COPD. Also reading the comments. I smoked cigarettes for along time. I quit over 35 years ago, after my dr, told me to quit. I am 70 years old. Now I’m suffering. I have gone to the emergency room. I am now on medicine. I’m really not sure where to begin. So sorry for ranting, but I’m really scared. would appreciate any comments to encourage me. I’m going to follow up with whatever dr. I need to. Please help.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi farrisj6 and thanks for your post and sharing how you're feeling about being diagnosed with COPD. I want to congratulate you on quitting smoking over 35 years ago! That is not only a genuine accomplishment, but it is the best thing you could have done for your COPD. If, as you said, you are ready to do more about your condition now, you probably will want to find a pulmonologist to help you with your assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The proper medication regimen and treatment plan can make you feel better. As well, you have an entire online community who all understand what you're saying and how you feel. You are always welcome here! We look forward to your continued participation. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
threeofsix Member
Hi, farrisj6, I was also recently diagnosed and I also smoked but quit 30 years ago. I am 66. The medications my doctor have given me help quite a bit. I hope that you begin to feel better as I do. Good luck and stay strong. Mary
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi ThreeOfSix (Mary) and thanks for posting your support for farrisj6. You, too, should be especially proud of being 'smoke free' for more than 30 years. Keep up the good work! Leon (site moderator)
carolcole Member
I am in Kentucky and just found out about 6 months ago that I have COPD. It did not scare me because, my dad had copd and so, I learned a lot from him. He lived with me during his last 3 years of life. He has been gone for 10 years now and there is so, much newer medications out there I wish they had while dad was here. I am on Breo and it really helps me a lot. I also, have asthma so, I have a nebulizer I use as well as a concentrator for my oxygen. I don't like using oxygen tanks. I have a terrible fear of them but, i know i should not have. Dad would have 5 and 6 large tanks here all the time and it made me so nervous. I do have one tank incase my electric should go out. My concentrator is so, nice and it is one of the new type so, it is not real noisey like to older ones that dad had. That thing sounded like a freight train running through the house at night time. lol This one does take some getting use to the sound but, not near as loud as dads was. I hope to get a portable concentrator later but, they are about $2400 dollars. Going to have to save my pennies for that one. lol Anyway Don't be afraid. Really the important thing to do is to fine a good doctor that understands copd. Take the medicine exactly as he/she tells you to. If you have to be in large crowds or smokey places you might want to invest in a mask you can wear to protect you from germs or during very cold air like in the winter months. I got one on Amazon for like $6.99 that has a charcoal filter made of soft cotton with elastic that goes over your ears. Easy on easy off. The filters are paper with charcoal inside. One other thing you might want to invest in would be a air cleaner with a hepa filter to put in the room you are in the most or in your bedroom. It helps to clean out the dust or other particles that can upset your copd. Well, I hope I have given you a few good tips and hope you feel free to ask me anything. If you go to facebook there are a few good support groups on there that are great to answer any of your questions. One I like is called Lets talk copd. They are very nice and helped me a lot. Good luck and God bless you. Breathe easy.
1. Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
 Thank you for sharing your story and journey with COPD, carolcole. You have a unique perspective from having helped care for your father and now living with COPD yourself. It can be so helpful to remember how much treatment options have changed and improved, even within the last ten years! It gives encouragement that even more will come in the future! Thank you for sharing your tips with farrisj6 and the community! We are glad to have you here! Best, Allyson (site moderator)
probbo Member
Hi Farris. Copd is not a good decease to have but we can get lots of help to control it if we just listen to those that know. IE Consultants, Specialist, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist. You have taken the first step by joining this group. You will get a hive of information on here. All i can say is stay positive and control your illness, dont be negative and let the illness control you.
jewelln Member
I was diagnosed with COPD 3 years ago. I want to tell you the 2 best things I did other than going to the doctor, getting meds, and following his advice. 1 - I joined a Better Breathers Club support group. Everyone in the group has COPD or a related lung disease. We meet once a month. You can also take your spouse or support person to the meetings. Most of what I know about COPD I learned from the great folks in the support group. To find a Better Breathers group near you check with the American Lung Association. 2 - the second best thing I did was enroll in Pulmonary Rehab. Those folks taught me how to get the most out of the breath I have. They give you advice on breathing techniques. Give workouts on different gym equipment designed to improve your breathing, and give education the best way to complete daily tasks. They even taught me how to go up a flight of stairs without getting completely winded.
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi Jewelin, Way to support others. Thank you Barbara Moore (Site Moderator)
pat02 Member
My thoughts and prayers are with you, it is a rough disease to deal with but if you find a good Pulmonary Doctor things will be easier. I have had issues all my life, had lower left lobe removed when I was 8 years old. I am 70 years old and still kicking just not too high. I take a lot of medicines and see the doctor regularly. The oxygen has been the hardest to deal with for me, but please, please take care of yourself, watch out for high humidity and rest when you need to. Infections are your worst enemy. If you get one call your doctor immediately and get meds for it. Depression will make you feel worse, so just remember to "Just Breathe" and listen to your body, take care and you will do fine. Wishing you the best..Pat
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Thanks, pat02, for your encouraging words. We appreciate your input. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
2. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi pat02 Great advise pat02. As Leon said, all of us appreciate your encouragement. It lets us know we are not alone. Barbara Moore (Site Moderator)
mickey22 Member
What caused you to go to the ER? I quit smoking 13 years ago when I was 60 years old. I have never gone to the ER though. I smoked an enormous amount of cigarettes, pipes, and cigars....sometimes all in one day. So what fears do you have. I guess those of us with COPD are on some kind of medication, but I have not been afraid or scared. At this point the only thing I would share with you is that you should always be mindful of your limitations. I guess that goes for just about anything, right? And pay attention to what your body is telling you. Be happy.
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi mickey22 Thank you for supporting others. Remember to reach out if you are in need. Barbara Moore (Site Moderator)
2. minniemouse Member
 Mickey22: You go to ER when you have a COPD exacerbation (that is when you get sick) You start coughing really bad, have a fever, its like a bad flu but your oxygen level is under the 90. In ER they give you the ventilator, steroids and stabilize your lungs. Then they send you home with antibiotics and prednisone. The ER also treats COPD emergency walk-ins really fast cause they want you to get out of there before you catch something else. They also do X-rays to determine you do not have pneumonia or bronchitis. So consider yourself lucky you have not been there yet. I have gone twice so far
goldenboys3 Member
Must admit your story sounds familiar. I was diagnosed with emphysema3 at 70 after having quit smoking 30 years prior. Quit because I wanted to take care of myself. At first it scared me to death. I am now 74 and have been traveling this road, learning, reading, exercising, FB COPD groups, etc. No, there is nothing you can do to reverse it but there is something that can be done to keep on traveling. My first suggestion is Pulmonary Rehab. The other is to keep exercising whether you like it or not. In addition to this great site, there is another web site Pulmonary Wellness that is led by Dr. Noah Greenspan. He is very knowledgeable and helpful. At the moment I am signed up for his Pulmonary Rehab Bootcamp Online. Find out as much information as possible about your disease. Because I really couldn't find anyone close by to identify with, I found some online folks that are great about sharing information. Who knows, maybe some day we will all have an opportunity to meet. Please take care and whatever you do, keep on moving!
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi Goldenboys3 Thank you for supporting others. Barbara Moore (Site Moderator)
Barbara Moore Moderator
Hi farrisj6, I didn't take your post as a rant but rather a cry for help. You deserve to have you questioned answered at here at <a href='http://COPD.Net' target='_blank'>COPD.Net</a> we can help to answer some of the those questions. Just keep in mind that we are all unique and that self management is as important as finding the right doctor. We look forward to having you participate with comments so we can help you. Barbara (site moderator)