COPD & Emphysema Support Group

Two things come to my mind....

1. That you may have some clinical depression. This happens quite often with those that have COPD.

2. Sleep apnea. How are you sleeping at night? Do you wake up short of breath? Fall asleep during the day with no reason? Wake up with headaches?

Either of these might possibly be the problem. It is best to speak to your doctor about your symptoms so you get the proper diagnosis.

Apparently, you posted twice about this - the other being removed, and someone (sorry, senior moment! - can't remember who) mentioned exercise and I agree wholeheartedly. It can make a world of difference!

Hope you feel better.

Joni

thank for getting back to me i think i do have depression cause i just dont want to do anything but lie in bed.i have to push myself to get in the mornings.i sleep all night the only time iam up in the night is when i have a chest infection

Hi again....

I thought your other post was deleted. I didn't realize it came up in the advice forum while this post came up in discussion. Sorry about that.

You know, if it is depression there are some anti-depressants out there that can help you. Your doctor can help you. I know we tell you to exercise and that does help tremendously with COPD, but I also realize if you are depressed it is hard to get up the energy and motivation to do so.

Hope you feel better.

Joni

Hi lily: I agree with the advice that you may have sleep apnea. You should speak with your dr. about a CPAP machine. Mine is a lifesaver. I had the same problem for years but I got the machine and it is great help. Sometimes I need to use it during the day when I have a particularly bad day. So far as the depression goes, I don't know if your dr. ever told you, but if you are on any kind of steroid therapy a side effect can be depression and it goes along with having COPD. I started an antidepressant in June and the difference is like night and day. In the meantime, you need to make sure you keep lights on becuz the dark during the day can make depression worse, find something to keep yourself busy, like a craft of some kind or something, a non physically demanding hobby and most important make sure you get out at least once a day, even if it is to sit on a porch or patio and then you can maybe work up to walking very short distances. Hope this helps and I will be thinking of you :)

I too am tired all the time (From depression). I have gone back to work (in the office) for 2 days a week and it is a real chore getting up and getting ready to go. I talked to my Doctor and he prescribed an addition to my anti-depression meds. It will take about 2 weeks for the med to kick in. I'm hoping it will give me some energy. Maybe you and your Doc, should investigate an anti-depressive medicine. I'll let you know how this regimen works.

Thank you all for your support this site has been a great help to me.

You only use oxygen when you feel you need it. Do you use an oximeter to determine when it falls below 89-90. Perhaps you need your oxygen more than you think. If you have oxygen in the home, you should have an oximeter to test your saturation level. They are around $60-80. Also, you can use your nebulizer more than 3x a day. It can be used every 4 hours, per your dr's orders. I think most of us COPD pts have had depression at one time or another. Walking or using a treadmill does help with depression. Good luck.

HI, I find myself tired alot myself. I still have young children so I always feel so guilty sleeping the day away...but there are other days that I have so much energy. I take anxiety meds, which help some.

I swear I am tired form my inhaler my doc says no but I had copd before I started inhaler and I wasn't tired till I started it. It gets worse everyday but my breathing get's better everday so i guess I have to be tired.