Peter Queripel

By peterqeripel

1 min read

Living with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchiectasis over 20 years has been quite a journey. After a visit to my doctor he told me how I could control my symptoms. He said you know when you're not well, so first thing come and see me straight away. He gave me standby antibiotics which I could take in case I was ill over the weekend.

I've only been hospitalised twice for a total of 10 days, so I've been very lucky. After reading many stories on this site and checking different stages of COPD I have managed to frighten myself, because I could identify which stage I was at and that is stage 3. I am using just about all the medications I can use, and at the moment I am reducing my steroids. I've been ill since November and finally I'm starting to feel okay again.

I take an antibiotic 3 times a week to help prevent infections which help me tremendously. Exercising is done at home watching YouTube videos. I do this everyday and if I need help from my rehabilitation team they are always available to give me advice.

I would appreciate any tips that could help me please.

Best regards to everyone.

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Erin Rush Community Admin
Hi Peter and thank you for sharing part of your story with us! It sounds like you are doing the right things to help manage your symptoms. You mentioned a rehabilitation team, but I wasn't certain if you had already tried pulmonary rehab. Many of our members have found pulmonary rehabilitation to be a very helpful tool in learning ways to manage COPD symptoms and maintain lung function as long as possible. Also, many of our members find certain breathing exercises to be very helpful. One, in particular, is called "pursed lip breathing" and is an exercise you can do to make sure you are exhaling as much air as possible from your lungs. Here is some tips on the technique -- <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>. I think it's GREAT that you are exercising as well! You may also want to pinpoint your triggers, if you haven't already. You can makes some changes to your life as you find things that aggravate your symptoms. Some members find strong smells (perfume, wood burning, frying food) triggering or cleaning chemicals. Now may be a good time to transition to a low-scent home or find less abrasive cleaning products to use. Also, being aware of your triggers can help you manage your errands a bit. If scents set you off, maybe steer clear of certain stores and such. Every little bit of change helps! And, as helpful as the stages can be for diagnosing COPD and prescribing treatments, please don't let the stage number scare you. Many of our members have lived quality lives for years at levels three and four. If you haven't read it already, this piece by Derek Cummings is an honest, yet positive meditation on life with COPD -- <a href='https://copd.net/living/careful-happy-control' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/careful-happy-control</a>. You are doing a lot of great things to help maintain the lung function you have! Thank you for reaching out and I am so glad you are starting to feel like yourself again. Best, Erin, Team Member.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi Peter - we appreciate your candid explanation your life with COPD and how you are coping with it. In addition to the excellent response from Erin, I thought you might find it both interesting and helpful to look over this article from Mary Ultes, one of our contributors. It explains how differently COPD can affect different people: <a href='https://copd.net/living/different-levels-same-devils' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/different-levels-same-devils</a> It's good to hear you're starting to feel well again after struggling with your COPD since November. I hope you continue to do well. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
2. peterqeripel Member
 Thank you Erin for all the advice I can do to make my life easier. I have had two sessions of pulmonary exercise as well as using YouTube. Ive written another letter today about my triggers which you might like to read later. Best regards to everyone.
rachelgarrod Member
fantastic Peter, you´re doing the best thing you can by exercising daily!
CommunityMember292 Member
I'm not sure that this is the appropriate place to post this comment. Does anyone else with severe bronchiectasis find themselves avoiding get togethers or going out to dinner or the movies? People have told me I sound "junky" or they just move away. Because of this, I spend most of my time alone and even stopped going to the gym, which my weak body desperately needs. I just wanna give up. Why keep trying to fit in? 
1. SamanthaSarube Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember292" user-id="4668510"/>, I hear how difficult things have been lately. It is so disheartening when those around us don't understand the things we are dealing with. So many in our community have been where you are and are here to offer any support they can. If you'd like you can post about your experience here to see if anyone has advice to share: <a href='https://copd.net/forums' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/forums</a>. More of our members can see your post here and respond. Wishing you a peaceful day. All the best, Sam S. (team member).

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