COPD

By Kathy61

1 min read

I am a 60 yrs old woman found out in 2013 that I have COPD along with other complications. My dad passed in 2013 with lung cancer and my mom passed 2018 with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.

About me

I am on oxygen at night and inhalers of course breathing treatments. I quit smoking July 12th 2021, not quite a yr. Still having trouble breathing but O2 is normal. My problem is mostly trying to get the air out. It's also hard to get the air in at times but I struggle daily. I am proud I found this group. I am also in a group called myRAteam. It helps alot too. I am looking forward to meeting new people with my same kind of problems that understand. Thank you for letting me share ??

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
<inline-mention username="Kathy61" user-id="4589492"/> Hi Kathy, and welcome to our online community! We're so glad you found us as well. We appreciate you sharing your present medical history with the community. First let me congratulate you on quitting the smoking habit. That is one of the most significant changes to accomplish in the management of this disease - it is an accomplishment you can truly be proud of! You may be aware that with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the hallmarks is the 'obstruction'. With this disease, the 'defect' is not being able to get the air 'out', as you said - exhaling is difficult and can take longer than it does for folks without the disease. Since all the air cannot be exhaled with each breath, that is why it also feels like one cannot inhale fully, either. I will give you some time to get adjusted to our community website. If you need assistance or have questions about COPD, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. You are always welcome here. I will look forward to conversing with you more moving forward! All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
frogger Member
Kathy, I am very concerned about your feeling of not breathing out. I think you need to bring this up with your doctor. I don’t know what they call it but I was in icu because my carbon dioxide rate or reading was 98 and there was no room to get oxygen in. I was pretty much out of it and didn’t ask enough questions. So please ask for both of us or anyone seeing this.
Kathy61 Member
Thank you for your concern, I couldn't see another dr today and didn't go to the ER. I'm still having trouble but as always 02 is fine. 
1. April.Sluder Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Kathy61" user-id="4589492"/> I'm sorry you're struggling. Have you tried pursed-lip breathing? I wonder if it might be helpful. Here's an article that explains how to do it. <a href='https://copd.net/guest-expert/pursed-lips-are-not-just-for-kissing' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/guest-expert/pursed-lips-are-not-just-for-kissing</a> April - <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a> Team 
2. Kathy61 Member
 <inline-mention username="April.Sluder" user-id="4223243"/> Yes I do this alot. It does seem to help some, but not all the time.