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...
Following excerpts from handouts at local Breathe Easy Group Meeting held today:
"Feeling very low or depressed is a miserable experience and it can leave use feeling disconnected from our lives and even without hope of things ever feeling better again. Living with the difficulties of COPD makes the depression worse.... and living with depression makes it more difficult to take care of ourselves, follow our treatment plan and manage our lung condition. All of these different factors can work against each other in very complicated ways.
Depression is a very common problem..... it can be treated and we can learn to manage these feelings.
How do you know if you are depressed?
- sleeping either much more or much less than usual.
- less interested in favourite people or activities.
- less energy and don't feel like doing anything.
- find it hard to concentrate and solve problems.
- eating much more or less than usual.
- feel bad about yourself or feel worthless.
- feel hopeless, that you'll never feel better no matter what happens.
- cry much more easily or often than usual.
- Feel sad/very low most of the time.
- Feel irritable with everyone and everything in your life.
- more sensitive to criticism than usual.
- feel really guilty.
- think about suicide, or you wish your life would end.
- can't laugh or enjoy yourself.
- sleep disrupted; wake up early, sleep is restless, difficulty faling asleep.
If you are experiencing five or more of the things on the list above, at any one time, then you may be experiencing depression rather than just feeling low... Sometimes depression is severe and needs professional treatment and medication.
If at anytime you think about suicide as an option for you, or you wish your life would end it is VERY important to talk to your doctor."
More information can be accessed from these pages:
http://www.emphysema-copd.co.uk/17.html
"Feeling very low or depressed is a miserable experience and it can leave use feeling disconnected from our lives and even without hope of things ever feeling better again. Living with the difficulties of COPD makes the depression worse.... and living with depression makes it more difficult to take care of ourselves, follow our treatment plan and manage our lung condition. All of these different factors can work against each other in very complicated ways.
Depression is a very common problem..... it can be treated and we can learn to manage these feelings.
How do you know if you are depressed?
- sleeping either much more or much less than usual.
- less interested in favourite people or activities.
- less energy and don't feel like doing anything.
- find it hard to concentrate and solve problems.
- eating much more or less than usual.
- feel bad about yourself or feel worthless.
- feel hopeless, that you'll never feel better no matter what happens.
- cry much more easily or often than usual.
- Feel sad/very low most of the time.
- Feel irritable with everyone and everything in your life.
- more sensitive to criticism than usual.
- feel really guilty.
- think about suicide, or you wish your life would end.
- can't laugh or enjoy yourself.
- sleep disrupted; wake up early, sleep is restless, difficulty faling asleep.
If you are experiencing five or more of the things on the list above, at any one time, then you may be experiencing depression rather than just feeling low... Sometimes depression is severe and needs professional treatment and medication.
If at anytime you think about suicide as an option for you, or you wish your life would end it is VERY important to talk to your doctor."
More information can be accessed from these pages:
http://www.emphysema-copd.co.uk/17.html
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I am currently grieving the death of my best friend from COPD who was 60 years old. She lived in Kingman, AZ, US. Certain questions regarding her death remain unanswered and I hope you could help me answer. She was diagnosed with emphysema few years back and she quit smoking. She had been doing well but for past one year she would sleep a lot, sometimes would hallucinate, developed high blood...
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I read on here something about the inogen portables. I am very small in stature and have a small tank for portable. They are about a foot tall. Was thinking of buying a portable but was told with the battery they are about 5 lbs. I dont think I could carry that much weight. Just wondering if anyone has a portable. Do the batteries wear out fast?
Thank you so very much for posting this for us.
Love to all
Holly
Love, Becky
http://www.emphysema-copd.co.uk/17.html
information site please also check out my journal pages with more self help links.
COPD Depression and Laughter Links:
http://dailystrength.org/people/314341/journal/1384848
More Links for Laughter, Friendship Healing and Calmers from this Journal Page:
http://dailystrength.org/people/314341/journal/1255223
I first created these pages back in August 2008 so hope all the links still work. Highly Recommended By me :O)
Keep on Keeping on and don't forget to take action when the dark mood is about you.
Luv N Hugs