From the article: Diagnosis of COPD
A diagnosis of COPD is initially very frightening. It is not until people start to educate themselves about the disease, that they begin to feel hope again. What have you learned since your initial diagnosis of COPD? Share Your Story
An Old Treatment For COPD
- A old treatment for COPD or lung fever as it was called many years ago is Thyme tea with honey and a cup of hot water that is filtered through a coffee filter. Sip slowly. My Granny was the daughter of a plains Indian, had much knowledge of plants and herbs. She lived to be 93 years old.
- —Guest speedbumb
Lack of Knowledge of Doctors etc.
- I have learned that there is no knowledge by doctors and/or researchers about medication for chronic bronchitis or COPD. These available meds are all deadly if you are not a very strong person. I wish I had never gone to a lung doctor. They are clueless
- —Guest sydney
That I Can Live a Good Life by Ms. Marge
- Bravo Ms. Marge! I'm 55 years old I was diagnosed with COPD 3 months after my pacemaker implantation. Things seemed as though they were snowballing! I found a great pulmonologist who I like and respect which can make a difference. He is watching me closely as he told me that I was the worse COPD case he had encountered. We discovered after a CT scan that I have several pulmonary nodules that Doc is watching. I am on Advair, Spiriva & a rescue inhaler. I have purchased a good treadmill and have begun a good cardiac workout at my pace. Above all else I have a GOD who has not deserted me. JESUS has been with me every step of the way & sometimes has carried me. I refuse to sit in my own, personal pity party but I plan to visit a nursing home near my home. Maybe I can read to someone or just talk. I will continue to be a contributing member of my society. God bless all of you in your walk with COPD.
- —Guest Vicky on Alabama Coast
Proper Diagnosis
- The recommended test for diagnosis is spirometry. Maybe this should be listed first and more references used for proper information.
- —Guest Ms. Peters
Be Happy Be Healthy
- Always look on the good sides of things -- you're still alive right? I feel for you guys and don't forget about having HOPE!
- —Guest helllllo froggy210
COPD! Just diagnosed.
- September 22, 2009. Have not been able to breathe right for a few years. Very tired and have coughing fits of mucus daily. Asked for a chest x-ray last week. It shows scarring on both lungs, slight heart enlargement and emphysema changes seen in both lungs. Also showed problems with my lower thoracic spine. No wonder I feel badly. I am 68 years young. Does anyone know of a good, nice lung doctor in the Houston area? Thanks
- —Guest marypat
When I Found Out for the First Time
- When I first found out 3 years ago, I didn't believe it, I was only 40 years old, single, with small kids at home and I thought that only people in their 50's to 60's get it, I still smoked until I started to have alot of exacerbations which ended me up in the hospital. Scared me enough to quit smoking and start to exercise. There still is not enough information out there about how much time you have but I know I have at least slowed it down for now.
- —Guest samatha
Is There Hope
- My husband has mild emphysema. I found out today. What does this mean? I read there is no cure, but he has stopped smoking. Will this improve his chances of living longer than if he didn't quit?
- —wildz
One Step at a Time
- Since i was diagnosed 4yrs ago with COPD I was in & out of the hospital until last yr I started doing some of those breathing exercises. Now I am riding a bike 4x a week. Last week I rode 8 miles. Now my meds have been cut in half & I have not returned to the hospital for 10 months. I feel because that the breathing exercises are helping.
- —Guest mike
COPD and Stem Cell Therapy
- I have learned that adult stem cell therapy has stopped the progression of my disease completely.
- —Guest Stem Cell Pioneers
Sneaky It Is, Slow and Incidious
- My diagnosis came over and over along with no severe symptoms. That is I had been conditioned to the COPD diagnosis and it had become virtually meaningless. I had difficulty with "wind" in Vietnam, when I was 23. My first introduction to the term COPD came maybe 20-30 years ago and the term meant something less than it should. Having no "health insurance" for most of my life, I would occasionally see a physician but never a doctor who knew me or whom I knew. I probably had a post-influenza walking pneumonia at least 6 times in the past 20 years...the last three times sending me to the hospital ER. The last time, at home, on antibiotics, I finally realized the absurdity of trying to cough my lungs out while trying to light a cigarette and wondering if I could make it to the bathroom to pee without killing myself in the process. Haven't had a cigarette since, or the flu. Signed up with the VA...open to all Vietnam Vets, thanks to Agent Orange. On O2 24/7 now, still working.
- —kmrinreno
What Have I Learned About COPD?
- I think the most important thing I have learned is that exercise is primordial and you have to make an effort to do it.
- —Guest june gomez
Sticking to Daily Treatment is Key
- I knew that I would have problems, when I kept having pneumonia over and over; it was due to another health problem that FINALLY got diagnosed. So, I wasn't surprised when my lung doctor dianosed me with bronchietasis, another condition considered as mild COPD. I knew that the scarring in my lungs was going to cause problems, but just didn't know when. I take ADVAIR 100/50 twice daily, have a rescue inhaler when needed, take Mucinex twice daily and Singulair once daily. If it ever comes to wearing oxygen, I will do so.
- —Guest Pam
Loved Ms. Marges story
- We sure need more positive stories. I just found out [I had COPD] when I landed in the hospital for a week and I'm so busy with work till next month the little bit of research I've done has me believing I better get to my bucket list real quick! So I'll stay in denial till next month and just strugle with the breathing because I just can't go on oxygen. Thanks so much for your column though the little I've researched has been here. It just seems there is a million questions I have and I really don't know who to ask, or bother. Plus and worse I think I'm affraid to ask! Thanks for your column, I'll be getting into it more in a month.
- —1lillypad
That I Can Live a Good Life
- When I was first diagnosed, I thought I had just received a death sentence. I felt hopeless for at least a couple of weeks. It was only when I started to learn more about the disease that I rose from the dead, so to speak. The first thing I did was quit smoking. Then, I started pulmonary rehab and began to eat healthier foods. I cut way down on carbs and lost 40 pounds. Now, I can breathe better, I am no longer on oxygen and I do a lot of things I enjoy.
- —Guest Ms. Marge
