feeling like a fish out of water!
Information on COPD here in the UK. Despite having been diagnosed in February this year, I've been told very little. I've read that drinking plenty of water is important and also that water retention is a problem!
I've also read there are 4 stages to COPD, how do you know what stage your at?
At what stage do you get referred to respiratory rehab?
So many questions
Hi juebal! I'm so glad you found us! It's very normal to have questions. You are right about drinking water and avoiding water retention. This information from our editorial team discusses both -- https://copd.net/living-with-copd/pulmonary-rehab/weight-management/hydration/.
Also, as far as stages, usually your physician can tell you which stage you are currently in. Here is some information about stages that you might find helpful -- https://copd.net/basics/copd-stages/stages-explained/.
In regards to pulmonary rehab; many in our community have found it very helpful. It may be done differently in the UK, but usually your primary physician can refer you (or you can ask to be referred) whenever you both feel it would be most beneficial for you. This article on pulmonary rehab is actually written by our resident UK contributor, Derek -- https://copd.net/living/lets-talk-pulmonary-rehabilitation/.
You may also want to check out our Facebook page -- https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/.
I hope this answers your questions and please feel free to come here anytime if you have more! We are happy to help in any way we can.
Thank you for reaching out and best of luck! Best, Erin, COPD.net Team Member.
Thanks for your prompt reply.
My final question is how to I talk to my family about this disease without scaring them? I've just recovered from my first 'flare up'. I don't want to be treated as an invalid but at the same time I realise changes need to be made.
Hi, I got diagnosed with COPD and emphysema and 2015 and I had my first flare up in 2019. My doctor never told me anything about it or what could happen and now after my first flareup I’m on oxygen all the time I don’t know what stage I’m at they gave me a medicine for because of the cough. How do I find out what stage I’m here they’re not telling me anything then or checked anything so I don’t know can someone please help me
Hi Tina, and thanks for your post and questions - they are good ones! From my own professional perspective, it is unconscionable that your physician(s) did not explain anything in regards to your diagnosis and, following your first exacerbation.
Should you want to know the stage of your present illness, this will be something that your doctor must assess and share with you. Some doctors use staging while still others, find that treating patients using their clinical appearance, narrative, and physical examination works well for them. If this is the way you are leaning (towards being made aware of your COPD stage), you will want to bring that to the attention of your present physician. If this does not seem to be feasible and, based on what you've shared about the doctor(s), you will probably want to seek out a physician who is more suited to the type of care and management you are entitled to have.
I wanted to provide you with this response first so you had some idea of how to proceed. We also have a wealth of material, published right here on COPD.net, which focuses on COPD staging, oxygen therapy, flare-ups, and anything else you may be interested in related to COPD.
Should you want to avail yourself of this information, please let me or any other moderator / team member know, and we will be happy to provide you with reading material.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
