From the article: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease often a misunderstood topic among your family members and peers? Share what you think they should know about your disease and how you go about explaining it to them. Share Your Story
How Frightening It Is
- I was told I had 'mild' COPD just last Friday. My Doctor hasn't told me much, it's irreversible, the damage is already done and it's now a damage limitation exercise. I'm on a inhaler at the moment and have a really irritating cough. I'm told it's Chronic Bronchitis. I've read up on COPD myself online. Now I'm anxious and very scared. I'm 49 and I've never smoked but I have in my time done a lot of passive smoking and I was an underground worker in a coal mine for several years. I have an aunt and uncle that have it too and they just say take care of yourself, excercise as much as you can, continue with the medication and you'll be fine! I'm worried that I live alone, I have few friends. I have family but I don't ever want to be a burden on them or beholden to them, I don't want to lose my independence. I'm diabetic too and I know all of the risks with that disease and it has never worried me, I've never been scared of it. This is a real fear.
- —Guest Martyn
COPD is Sad
- Its so sad when you have COPD. My whole life has changed. I cannot even clean the house or do anything. If i walk to the mall it has to be slow. In 2008 the doctor said i have 59% of my lungs that do not function, now it's even worse. I also have asthma to top it off. Bless us all who have COPD.
- —Guest Smallsweet
Quit Smoking if You are a Smoker
- Barend, I totally understand your comments and concerns. Do you have a lung Specialist that you can see on a regular(two to three times a year)? He/she could probably answer many of your questions. It certainly is upsetting when you are first diagnosed but acceptance comes overtime and as you gain knowledge of your disease. Biggest priority initially is to quit smoking if you are a smoker as continuing to do so will only make things "much worse"! Be fit(exercise-I prefer aerobic exercise) and maintain a healthy BMI and you can improve your quality of life significantly! This has worked well for me!! Hang in there!!!!
- —Guest denis
Be Kind and Caring to Your Loved Ones
- I'm sad for my husband, he did smoke but welded in fab shop for 21yrs, went down-hill fast. Doctors suck, been to many, all say different stuff. One even said he had 3 months to 1yr to live? We've been thur so much in a short time at 49 yrs old. I'm supportive and loving and caring. Words makes the difference. Be kind and caring to your sick love ones. It's truly a death sentence and scary for anyone with COPD. One day at a time. Make memories and pamper your loved ones. Smells make him ill, I cook on the porch. Never spray any type of sprays perfumes etc. Be strong and positive for your loved ones. We never know?
- —Guest katie
Learning to deal with COPD
- I have COPD. Still learning how to deal with it . Co-workers are the worst for me to deal with.. I work in housekeeping . Some of the co-workers are just rude.. I get short of breath bad someday and just can not do as many rooms like I use to.. And I hear them say oh my God she is just pulling it (short of breath, just to get out cleaning the rooms,,, ) I try to get to them early enough in the day that I'm not feeling good,, about 2 hours I need to rest, because of some of the guests use way to much perfume,, nail polish and etc. ..The guests are great they ask if I am ok, and if I need help, I tell them I need to catch my breath.. you have COPD," Yes" Let me call the front desk and get someone up here to make sure you are ok.. The guest are great. Co-wokers - well not all of them
- —Guest Joyce
Just Go For It
- I live in France. I came here alone when my husband died i have COPD. I made loads of friends by talking to people.I am never in. I have 15 hrs per day/night on oxygen.I have a log fire because I can't afford central heating. France has the best health service in the world. I go out most nights even when I feel ill for a laugh and a drink. I am 71 years old. My friends took me bowling! I have been in a play and I have fell over drunk twice. I live a very tough life in the country. We have floods hurricanes, power breakdowns and snakes. Don't be scared of life. Enjoy every minute and don't spoil yourself too much.
- —Guest carolinkar
It's Scary
- It's so scary when you cannot breathe and are gasping for air. I have been smoking for also 40 years...
- —Guest Maggie
COPD Freaks You Out
- I am freaked out -- my doc tells me there is nothing that can be done. I am also a gay man and this disease is not something that people of my orientation want to accept. Problem is, when is it going to be hard to live on my own, how do i function in this society?
- —Guest Barend
Big Pharma Stands in the Way
- There is no cure yet. but a lot of people have slowed COPD down with stem cells. Big drug companies making billions won't let them in this country. Spiriva was used in Germany in 2002, it took till 2007 to get it here, there is another great drug in Germany and England and is coming to Canada it's called Daxas. It helps a lot from what I've read. But big drug stopped FDA from letting us get it. We will probably have to wait 5 years for that too. Its all about money, there hasn't been a cure since Salk and Sabin cured polio -- that cost drug company billions. Let's hope somebody can change all this.
- —Guest jgp
Don't Push Us Away
- I was diagnosed with COPD when I was 35 due to smoking. I've already had a large bullectomy. I have 3 children, the two eldest are 20 and 19, and my daughter who is 6. I did have a very close relationship with my 2 boys, till i got ill, now they just seem to push me away. They wont talk about it, listen to me about it. It's like their punishing me. I didn't ask to get this illness, and sometimes hate living with it, but it's out of my control. But, I will fight it all the way. I would love for my sons to accept that I'm ill, talk about it, talk about the future etc. I respect everyone else who is living with this, because it can be hard, tiring, etc. People shouldn't be so ignorant to it....and we shouldn't suffer in silence.
- —Guest jane
Not Giving Up
- I was diagnosed with COPD a year ago, but should have been diagnosed 5 years ago. In the past year my COPD has gotten worse. It has affected my whole life and the lives of everyone around me. I can no longer do the things I used to. I used to be fit and athletic; I could run if I had to, walk as far as I needed to, but not any longer. The worst thing is that it has affected my work causing me to miss so much work that I am surprised that my employer hasn't fired me. It has caused anger, confusion and depression. Through all this, though, I refuse to give up. I am Jeff, I am not COPD! I will continue to fight to be able to work and do the things I want to do. I won't give up and I pray that others do the same.
- —Guest Jeff
I am Still a Person
- The thing I hate the most and wish everyone would stop doing is when I do some activity, do not ask me every second "are you ok, do you need to sit down?" Understand that when I am out of breath I can't speak to you. Please try to understand it actually tires me out to sit down and eat a meal. Don't ask me if I am sorry I ever smoked. What do you think -- duh. No I actually love this feeling of drowning in my own body. If they would just ask questions instead of assuming what is best for me. If they would even act like they want to understand I would be thrilled.
- —Torialee
I Love My Grandkids
- I can't do what I'd like with my grandkids, but when I am feeling good, and ask for them, I wish my kids would try to bring them then. It seems they are always busy when I'm up to having them. I think/feel like they don't like coming over any more. When I'm sick and they come over, we play board games which they love to beat me at. LOL! If I'm up to doing more, they are always busy. I know they have their own lives and are VERY busy, but even a phone call, or am email from the older ones make my day. If the parents would encourage them to call,write, or come over, it would be a blessing to me. They are my heart. They give great healing hugs. I also wish they would let my grandkids know how active I used to be before I got COPD. I tell them stories, but the parents need to reinforce them.
- —Guest Geda
Life`s a Bitch--Ain`t It?
- I just find the whole business degrading and humiliating - not least because I just want to live my life as I once did - but now I can`t and that hurts more than any desease! Just treat me and others with this disease as you always did! If you don`t - you become part of the problem - not the solution! It is better to have loved and lost - than to never have loved at all! I loved life! Now life is just hard work! Trying to act normal, walk normal, breathe normal and talk normally! - has become a laborious task - a task that weighs heavy every day! The first thought in the morning - is the last breath at night! It can only get harder! So please be patient with the patient - because his patience is wearing thin!!!
- —Guest william Ford
I Have Caused This
- No one wants to have a breathing problem. I am of the accepted smoking generation and may I say I smoked like a steamship. I did this for 40 years. No wonder my poor lungs look like swiss cheese. I do kick myself on a regular basis for doing this to me but hey, it is done. Now I read articles about COPD and I joined the YMCA to at least try to stay as fit as I can and have found some super friends who have problems of their own. I don't like not breathing well but I will not give up living and I will push myself as hard as I can to enjoy my wonderful grandkids and my life. Every day is a gift from God. I am blessed
- —Guest Linda
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