COPD and now Emphysema

By lriley1

1 min read

I am a 52 year old woman who was diagnosed with moderate COPD at age 38. I suffer with shortness of breath all the time and loose wind in the middle of sentences sometimes. Very frustrating. At 51, I started to feel extremely fatigued and coughed a lot, so I went back to doctor and had a lung CT scan, and was told I have emphysema also.

My family doesn’t understand what I go through daily and you can feel very alone with these diseases. I wish more people could understand what some one with lung disease lives with daily. Now with the coronavirus pandemic, it is hard to work outside the home and I live in constant fear that I am playing Russian roulette, every time I go out to stores, work in the stores and am around those who don’t take the coronavirus seriously. It’s all very depressing.

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Alesandra Bevilacqua Community Admin
<inline-mention user-id="2408634" username="lriley1"/> - thank you so much for sharing so openly here about managing COPD. We hear you about your family not quite understanding your daily struggles with the condition - know you aren't alone in this feeling. Many of our members feel similarly. COPD can be an incredibly isolating and lonely disease. Know that we are here to support you anytime you'd like. I'm sending love to you today - hang in there <3 -Alesandra (COPD.net Team)
combatvet Member
I am a 55 year old veteran who suffers with shortness of breath all the time and loose wind in the middle of sentences sometimes. Very frustrating it is. I have noticed Shortness of breath at times when sitting or resting on sofa or walking the trails. Past several months has gotten worse since Difficulty falling and staying asleep. I can't seem to stay asleep. I wake about every 2-2½ hours. Recently (past two months) since 2008 My mouth has been getting extremely dry. For the past several weeks Wheezing constant and continuous 24/7 also causing anxiety Past several years has gotten worse since 2006 A cough (clear mucus, sometimes white) sometimes a flare up of dry coughs for a day or two usually during the night or early morning. Past several months has gotten worse since Lack of energy walking or hiking with or without pack. Past 2 yrs. has gotten worse since Loss of appetite more and more each day. Sometimes I snack and sometimes I have to force myself to eat. But hardly ever hungry. Past several months has gotten worse since. Circulation in arms and hands when I lean on either arm, about 3-5 minutes later, it goes numb.
1. lriley1 Member
 Those are the exact symptoms I experience every day and night. I sleep 2 hours at a time , extremely weak and fatigue all the time. I get mucus plugs stuck in my lungs and don’t feel relief until I get them up , which is very hard and I cough non stop . It sounds so bad , like I’m dying or something. My arms also are numb in the morning and I feel so tired , even when I have slept 8 hours. My work suffers because I need to take rest breaks in between doing things. I can never plan to do too much in one day. 1 event and I am beat. So frustrating. And this all has just come about , in the last 3 years. It’s getting worse,and I’m about to loose my job because of it. My back always hurts also and I have mild scoliosis ,which doesn’t help my breathing. I feel what you go through
2. lriley1 Member
 <inline-mention username="combatvet" user-id="2449690"/>, All you have mentioned that you are experiencing , hit home with me. It is all so scary facing new challenges everyday. Know that you are not alone and sending prayers for health your way!
nanadee Member
I am a 59 year old woman, and I have COPD, acute bronchitis, and now emphysema. I also have trouble talking alot, I seem to run out of breath. I agree that family doesn't really understand what all we go through. I am still working daily, but thank the Lord, our office has not been open to the public since March. I too have that constant fear about COVID, I have enough trouble just breathing now, I don't think I could survive getting the virus. And I agree it is all depressing
1. lriley1 Member
 <inline-mention username="nanadee" user-id="2426798"/> Yes, I know your struggle well. I run out of air also when I’m talking and my sentences get cut off . It is all very scary. I can barely breath with the mask on and am struggling greatly at work. Just know your not alone!Sending Prayers of health your way!
rennick46@hotmail.com Member
I am new to the site but have alot of the same struggles feel very alone and like my Dr. are not really helping me much prayers for all 
1. melaniem Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="rennick46@hotmail.com" user-id="2483922"/>, welcome to our site, we are glad you are here! One of the things we pride ourselves on is a community feel- so please always feel welcome to come here if you need support, we are here for you! I did want to mention that it might be a good idea to change your username to something other than your email- if you email contact@copd.net, they should be able to walk you through this process. If you would prefer to do it yourself, you can go to your profile by clicking on the circle in the upper right hand of the page which brings a drop down menu, choosing "account settings" and scrolling down to "change username." The layout is very user friendly and it should be a quick update. Let us know what you think! Warmly, Melanie (team member) 
2. lriley1 Member
 <inline-mention username="melaniem" user-id="2453213"/>thank you !
lriley1 Member
Thank you!