COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Dennis , I think you said you can't sleep on your back and haven't for ages. I get very uncomfortable lying on my back. Why is that?
Also I have no coughing or mucous with this. Anyone else?
My lungs from diaphram to throat ache tho. I read where there is such a thing as lung arthritis. That's kind of what it feels like. As I've said I don't think the meds spiriva or rescue inhalants do much for me.
Also I have no coughing or mucous with this. Anyone else?
My lungs from diaphram to throat ache tho. I read where there is such a thing as lung arthritis. That's kind of what it feels like. As I've said I don't think the meds spiriva or rescue inhalants do much for me.
Spiriva is a long-term medicine as opposed to one that gives you near immediate relief. I'd expect that you would feel no difference when using it.
As far as the ach, I haven't a clue. If its Emphysema, chest aches can be from your chest muscles/diaphragm working overtime to breathe Sounds like something to talk over with your doc real soon...
Hugs,
Dennis
My mom died of this disease in 2001 and for her last few years she slept almost sitting up. I tried a bed wedge but I work my way down off it in my sleep.
Maybe back sleeping puts pressure on the chest and abdomen and any e/tea pressure....even a feather....is too much like the elephant in the spiriva commercial.
BTW....has anyone else noticed in that commercial that the spiriva gets him off the persons chest but as they are walking that monster is never more that a few feet behind. I think only a person with COPD would catch that.
On your side there is just not as much pressure.
Denny is right about the Spiriva. It is a once a day drug that is long lasting
i use spiriva as my maintenance inhaler.
my Sp02 numbers seemed to get better after a few weeks of it so i kept it up.
i also started having a more productive cough altho, still very dry.
at first my dr gave me samples of spiriva so i could try it & once i decided i liked it i went online and did the free help from the company as i couldn't afford it.
Now the company sends me a 3 month supply 4 times a year & i have to renew it yearly. (i'm in my 2nd year of their help)
I have an albuterol nebulizer, as a rescue, but that seems to do nothing but make me feel jittery & yucky unless i am in an exacerbation & it helps break things up at that time.
i have never heard of the lung arthritus, but my lungs don't usually ache & if they do it is usually a sign to get in to the dr ASAP.
sleeping is a nightmare to me, i toss & turn & can never get comfortable----i'd love to have an adjustable bed like in the hospital, but i don't think new bed is in my budget at this time.
:)
i did try the wedge pillow, but i didn't like it because it seemed cumbersome to get out of my way when i wanted to change positions.
that's my experiences...we are all a bit different, but i was under the impression that was dryness is common with emphysema
ANSWER: Your lungs deform from the disease and actually get larger - I think it's how they increase in size that allows you to seek different sleep positions . . . flat on back gives most people that big ass elephant sitting on your chest but I seem to turn my head left and I'm a zombie at least for a couple hours . . .
Remember that this disease has no structured path and effects us all differently because I believe GOD made us all different . . .
and GOD bless all the victims of this crummy ass debilitatior.