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...

936 Members

10,879 Posts

0 Online

Kanadian 04/17/2013

I had my meeting with the Pulm. Dr. He confirmed what my Dr. and I had already discussed. I am at end stage COPD. But we are not calling it "end stage" because it sounds gross. I am at stage 4 - isn't that better? The pulm. Dr suggested I turn up my O2 for exercise and when I get the scary levels of SOB. Has anyone else turned theirs up? I have been at 2 1/2 for 3 years at night and when needed; then on 24/7 for the past year. I have too many days that my limbs feel week and I will sleep for 2 days. The Dr only suggested turning up the O2, exercising and stopping the prednisone until it is really needed. I still get the tingling, burning feeling on the skin on my trunk.

PS sure do enjoy reading some of the updates on this site. Some members should be writers.
Carolyne

deleted_user 04/17/2013

The only time I turn up my is at night from 2.5 to 3 per Dr's orders because I was waking up everyday with a headache. She said it was due to no getting enough O2 at night an I no longer have headaches. The other times I turn up my O2 is 2.5 to four when exerising, walking far distance and get short of breath or exerting myself like carry bags upstairs or cleaning house. I was told by a Respiratory Therapist if we turn up our O2 when we don't need to our lungs get lazy. Hope this helps. God bless

deleted_user 04/17/2013

I can't stand making typographical errors like missing words, wrong word, misspelled words etc. Next time I'll type slower.

bjrapp2020 04/17/2013

Hi,
Yes, it is necessary to turn your O2 up when doing any thing that requires lots of exertion, like walking, exercising, taking a shower, carrying groceries, ect. It may work to do that and get your work done and turn it back down to rest. Your doctor is right , and so follow his orders. On the prednisone, it is good you are tapering off and will be off it a while. Everyone is different, but I seldom use it anymore, unless I have an infection, which I have not had in a long time.
do not over do it, delegate some of the work to someone else. Even a friend might go get groceries for you, ect. The more you MOVE the more ENERGY is required, so the more oxygen your lungs need. That over works your heart if you are not getting enough o2.
follow your doctors orders, you will be fine.

Brenda

deleted_user 04/17/2013

It's weird because I can walk 2 to 3 miles without the O2 although i carry it with me, but i get SOB when i walk upstairs carrying something. Oh well.

gro100 04/18/2013

I turn mine up all the time when I am exerting myself.

My pulm used the term "severe copd" I like that better than "end stage".

I am also avoiding prednsione until I absolutly need it. I do good with alburerol/ipratropium in a neb, symbicort, and 3L oxygen.

Have a wonderful day.

Gary

Join the Conversation