Hello, still breathing!!

By grannie82

1 min read

I am 82 years old, was told when I was in my early 50's I had emphysema. Now I have COPD, and on 3 inhalers. It seems there are different things that make it worse, like some cooking odors, extreme cold or hot, but normally have no problem at night. I have read that it will eventually cause the muscles in your legs to become weak, as mine have. I take a lot of vitamins, I don't eat proper meals, my hair is falling out, I get bruising all over my arms and legs, don't know why, but do try to walk, move around, as long as I don't move too fast, I am ok. Question!!! Why do we have to take meds for high blood pressure when we have COPD???

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Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C Moderator
Hi Grannie82, Thank you so much for sharing your story. You've painted an excellent picture of what you're going through. It's good to hear that you're not having problems at night - something to be thankful for certainly! It sounds like you're trying to take care of yourself with vitamins and exercise. As far as your blood pressure, that's a great question. The answer lies in the toll COPD takes on the body; particularly the heart and lungs. Due to the nature of COPD, the heart is often forced to work overtime and harder than it should to pump blood through the vessels. Since the lungs are damaged in COPD, the amount of oxygen in the blood is reduced which can then create higher blood pressure as the heart works harder to push much needed blood throughout the body. In addition, if a person is or was a smoker, this leads to high blood pressure as well. Nicotine can narrow and harden arteries, thus raising blood pressure and taxing the heart. You also mentioned bruising. I think you'll find this article that deals specifically with that to be very informative. <a href='https://copd.net/answers/expert-answers-steroid-bruising' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/answers/expert-answers-steroid-bruising/</a> Again, thanks so much for sharing your story. Please come back anytime with questions and comments. Lyn (site moderator)
1. kwilter2 Member
 Hi Grannie 82! I am a Great Grannie 0f 7 at age 82. I have had COPD a long time now but new problem is poor circulation in my lower extremities causing me a great deal of pain at night. I no longer smoke thank the Good Lord but the damage has been done. I manage most of my household chores by myself, thanks to "Swifter". I am on oxygen always at night and thru the day off and on. I can no longer walk outside by myself and this is very depressing. My doctor is sending me to a Vascular Surgeon but I suspect it is just hardening of my arteries. I will take my daily baby aspirin as directed and pray for warmer weather. The cold seems to exasperate my leg problems.