COPD support thread.

merlin68

How about a support thread for this as I have just been diagnosed with asthma/copd.
My lung age is 85 at 41 and my fev was 50%.

jpm400

Hi

I was diagnosed with COPD in September last year, my FEV1 was 68% so not too bad at the moment.

I gave up smoking straight away, haven't had a fag for over 5 months. :j

JOOLZ

I was disgnosed last July - my FEV is now 68 - I'm only 39 and desperately trying to give up the ciggies. I cough up quite a lot of mucus everyday but my breathing is OK. I'm very anxious about it and think a thread on this would be good. I haven't told any of my family members about the diagnosis. I don't want to stress them out.

merlin68

What do the figures mean. I am trying to give up smoking managed 6 days last week going to try again tomorow, as have a chest infection.

Valley's_girl

Hi Merlin
I have got bronchiectasis which is a type of copd and asthma, Just thought I would pop in and say hi. I constantly have a chest infection and have had two bout of pleurisy this year.
I have never smoked, and I have been told by the physio that they can't do postural drainage therapy on me because I have another illness.
I have been given an acapella device which I use at home to help clear the mucus.
Good luck with giving up the ciggies, and well done Jpm on giving up and welcome to Mse.

Love and best wishes
ally xxxx

blueyanne

Hello, just to say I think this thread isa great idea, thanks for setting it up. I also have C.O.P.D. & I.L.D. what a mix. Never smoked, but each time I end up in the old hosi I get the third degee , have you ever smoke? (No) are you sure?(positive) and then for good measure, how many did you say you smoked? its wearing a bit thin now after 7 years. I am getting to the stage of" What part of NO do you not understand?" I would not mind betting there are more people in the same situation as 5% of C.O.P.D.sufferes have never smoked.
I wish everyone trying to give up the ciggies the very best of luck and please don't give up trying.

Keep positive, look forward not back, we can't change what has happened , but we can influnce the future.
P.S. "the what part of no do you not understand" seems to have put an end the the third degee, for now anyway.
Take Care
Anne

Indie_Kid

blueyanne wrote: »

Hello, just to say I think this thread isa great idea, thanks for setting it up. I also have C.O.P.D. & I.L.D. what a mix. Never smoked, but each time I end up in the old hosi I get the third degee , have you ever smoke? (No) are you sure?(positive) and then for good measure, how many did you say you smoked? its wearing a bit thin now after 7 years. I am getting to the stage of" What part of NO do you not understand?" I would not mind betting there are more people in the same situation as 5% of C.O.P.D.sufferes have never smoked.

You need to tattoo it on your forehead: "I am not a smoker and have never smoked in my life. I am positive of this."

blueyanne

I had thought of having "I have never smoked, please dont ask again as a poke in the eye often offends" tatoo across chest just in case they were not listening the first time. Would save a lot of valuble breath which at the time is in short supply.
I have to keep a sense of humour, as long as I can see a funny side of things I am ok.
Even if the humour, as someone discribed it as black/dark humour who cares, it works for me.

magoogy

I have had two experiences of copd -

my mum was diagnosed and told to stop smoking - there was no way she would stop (she could get through 60 cigs a day sometimes and had been smoking since she was 14) - no matter how much we nagged her she wouldnt give up and i really think she didnt care as we had lost my dad and i dont think she had the will to live really........... in october 06 after many visits/stays in hospital she was rushed in again but this time there was nothing they could do - she was hooked up to the machines and we were advised she wouldnt get better so the kindest thing to do was to turn the machines off......at her side were xrays of her lungs and the nurse told me they were some of the worse she had ever seen - she had hardly any lungs left at all.....

so - in effect she smoked herself to death......she knew she would die but really didnt care (sounds selfish but she really had given up)...

at the same time i was also diagnosed with copd - i gave up smoking straight away and 3 years later im more or less back to normal lung function and only need to use my inhaler every now and then - hardly ever.


so please - if you do smoke...give up - you really will see the benefits....

Oldernotwiser

merlin68 wrote: »

What do the figures mean. I am trying to give up smoking managed 6 days last week going to try again tomorow, as have a chest infection.

The FEV figure is the percentage lung function of someone of your age and build. My husband is at less than 20% so you're not doing too badly at 50%, although this will go down if you keep smoking.