Not very happy with COPD, AFIB, and high blood pressure

By tunaman1

1 min read

I am 65 years old and just found out about COPD and I am very very scared for my life. I live in the Puerto Vallarta Mexico area and know of no support groups there. Had a heart stent put in Jan. 2nd of 2018 so I am not in very great shape right now. I stopped smoking 7 weeks ago and stopped drinking in Feb. of this year to try and save my life and live a little longer. I am very tired and weak most of the time and depressed about this whole thing I am going through right now and the rest of my life.

I think I will be doing some stem cell treatments when back in Mexico. They are very expensive but what does everyone think about this kind of treatment? Good, bad, whatever? The doctors tell me it doesn't work in California that I have seen or talked to but have read otherwise that it works. I don't know were to go at this time in my life and the doctor says I might have only 10 years left... how the hell do they know? I don't have cancer yet and look OK on that end, but COPD I am told is for the rest of my life. Does anybody have any answers for me? They would be welcome by me very much at this scary time in my life. THANKS!!!

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tunaman1 Member
Can any one out there help me or response to me , thanks !!!
1. Alesandra Bevilacqua Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="2460887" username="tunaman1"/> and welcome. I'm so sorry to hear you're scared about your diagnosis. Please know that it is completely normal to feel this way and that you are not alone. I hope our community can provide you some support and insight as you learn more about COPD. Perhaps some of our members can chime in about their own experiences with stem cell. Please reach out with any questions you may have. We are here to assist you. Warmly, Alesandra (COPD.net Team)
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi tunaman1 and thanks for your post. I see that both Alesandra and Lyn have responded and provided you with some information as well as support and commitment from our community. I'm sorry you had to post and then put up another post asking for a response. Please bear with us - we do try to get to everyone in a timely way. We all know how frightening this diagnosis can be and living with the condition can be even more of a challenge. Our community is here to provide whatever we can in terms of support and information. We are glad to have you as part of our community. Wishing you the best, Leon (site moderator)
Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C Moderator
tunaman1 - As Alesandra said, your reaction to the diagnosis of COPD is normal. But, there are many things you can do to make sure you stay healthy and slow the progression. You've already made a great decision to quit smoking! That in itself will go a long way in making you feel better and stay healthy. The tiredness and weakness can be part of COPD, but if you can get on a good medication and exercise routine that should lessen. Light, regular exercise is very important to keep your muscles and lungs conditioned. Stem cell treatment is not my specialty, but I do know people that have had success with it. Hopefully some in the community that have experience with it will chime in. Since you don't have a support group (in person) there in Mexico, please think of this community as your support. You can also follow us on Facebook and connect with many others that are going through the same thing. Warm Regards, Lyn (site moderator)
luvmylife1948 Member
I have COPD. I live in England and I am not getting good treatment for this. Just left alone by doctors because we don't have the money for treatments. I will be 70yrs of age in 3 weeks and I am beginning to feel my age and feeling very weak at the moment. My doctor is using the cheaper option of treating me with iron tablets for weakness. I have very swollen ankles and this is a sign of heart failure but my doctor won't even refer me for treatment. Our Health Service don't have the funds. Of Course this is a scary disease and I am worried about dying too early. We know we are going to die but if we can have a better quality of life this would be good. I have heard of many people having stem cell treatment and got positive results. One can only try this to see if it works for you. If there are no risks then it is worth a try. Try and not be afraid of dying. As we age we think of death more. It is always on our minds. Try and take one day at a time and enjoy each day of living. You live in a lovely part of the world. I went to Mexico 3yrs. ago. Now I am too weak to travel. If we worry about dying we miss the beauty of living and being with family and loved ones. TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME. Pray if it helps. You can get a lot of comfort.
1. plum Member
 Hi luvmylife, I too live in the uk. I recently asked my doctor if I could go on a pulmonary rehabilitation course, I had blood tests, X-rays, and saw a clinician, who went over my medications. I had to wait about three to four weeks but you can get this on the nhs. I fou;d everyone treated me really well, if you don’t agree with your doctor see another one, it’s your life and you are entitled to do this. I also got the book c.o.p.d. For dummies which gives you an easy simple to read guide. Very helpful.
bunnymusic60 Member
Stem cell research isn't perfected yet. As far as I know it doesn't work. I've been on oxygen 24/7 for 17 years and am still here. You should look into Lung Volume Reduction Surgery. You might be a candidate for that and it's a lot safer. I just got a-fib and that scares me. But the COPD I've had under control these many years and wish it was all I had to deal with. Go to pulmonary rehab and stay away from smoke and cigarettes. Rehab will do wonders for you. Enjoy your life and don't spend money on something that won't work.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Thanks for your post and input, bunnymusic60. We appreciate you sharing your experiences for all these years managing your condition. It's very true, there is still much to be researched related to stem cell therapy and COPD. Wishing you the best, Leon (site moderator)
maryanne127 Member
I have researched stem cell therapy for several years. Sorry to say that it is not an option for lungs at the present time. There is research being done but it is estimated to be at least 10 or more years away. The docs touting it are just giving false hope for a costly out of pocket procedure that does not work - except to line the pockets of the frauds.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi MaryAnne127 and thanks for your post and sharing your views on COPD and stem cell therapy. It would seem there is still much to be learned about this type of therapy, especially when it comes to COPD. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
luvmylife1948 Member
tunamen, I have re-read your post and picked up on one thing you said. You have been given 10yrs. of life and you said. You wonder how they know. I wonder that also. 3 Days ago I got my blood test report and because I keep getting high blood pressure and have my medication increased I have a 25% chance of having a heart attack and stroke within the next 10yrs. It is a scary thought. I believe in God and He knows our times. They are in His hands so I don't worry about tomorrow. I just live for today. One day at a time. It is interesting though how doctors put time lines on illness. My husband had Cancer in the lining of his lungs caused by inhaling fibres of Asbestos as a young man in his 20's. The disease takes between 40-60yrs to develop in to an incurable, inoperable cancer. My husband was spot on for 40yrs. His cancer was terminal. Medicine is amazing in how doctors know. They said my husband had one week to live. They were correct. I didn't want to know otherwise I would have spent time worrying. Instead I spent that time giving the best care I could. May God comfort you at this distressing time of unsureness.