don't know what to say right now, as its very early here n my brain is in neutral.....I really understand this feeling and i live with it everyday...iam not good with words but welcome to your new family.

hugs Peter

Chelle -
Howdy and welcome to our group.
Depending on their willingness to learn about COPD, here are a few links they can read:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0005208/
http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/
http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/copd/copd-support.aspx
Now if you want to get a mite more in their face to get their attention, here's a little blurb on the bode index and COPD life expectancy percentages:
http://copd.about.com/od/copdbasics/a/copdlifeexpectancy.htm
Just remember that we are not statistics and nobody but the good Lord knows our days.
Often people are in denial, figuring that if they ignore the problem, it will just go away. It takes time to convince them...

Hugs,
Dennis

I think DS has the hiccups tonight, or should we blame the full moon?
Chelle I was on here earlier and got called away before I could add my thoughts,came back and your question was gone and now I see that you have gotten some very good resources from Dennis.

I was also going to say that denial could well be at play here. Your family has had to have seen you deteriorate, unless they were turning a blind eye to that. I would sincerely suggest that maybe you could have a family counselor session if they would be willing. Depending on your resources some will come to your home.

YOU should not feel guilt for anyone else's behavior.
If those are recent pictures on your profile I can see where if they have no real knowledge of this disease that strikes everyone differently, you truly do have the "you look fine, how can you be sick" look. Yet I can see by your meds that you certainly are not.

Okay, this is reply #3 as I hit ADD....

Hang in there Chelle

I'm sorry that you're not getting the support you want from family and friends. However, as was mentioned, it oftentimes indicates denial or lack of understanding on their part. I'd just put this on the back burner. Probably the best avenue for you is to look for support elsewhere so you don't expend your energy on convincing, and teaching, to no avail.

Please do everything you can to find support that helps e.g. pulmonary rehab, this site, in-home care, counseling etc. You are not alone - there are resources out there who don't need convincing!

Take care and let us know how you're doing...

Welcome to our DS family....the folks here are a compassionate and loving group. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! We are here for you. Karen

ahhhhhh, the river of denial.
i'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. but you have found a great board that people understand and are not in denial....i hope you find a home and comfort here as we have.
((((HUGS)))),
jarca
ps. people that have never gone thru illness seem to have a harder time "walking in our shoes"
there are many people here that are walking the road and understand.
welcme!

Welcome Chelle to the DS family. You will get the support here. We have all been there and understand. I agree with the others your family sounds like they are in denial. I don't think anyone understands unless they live in your body and knows what you go through each day. Dennis has added some good sites and always does. He's our research guy. Everyone here is full of compassion and understanding hope to see you more.
Hugs,
Debi

Welcome, welcome welcome. I love this site and have found it so helpful. There are days that you HAVE to turn to others that are in your situation. My family are supportive but I still have to fight the blues as well as the disability. Check around your area for support groups. Yes there are times that exercise does help but it must be done very slowly to begin with. It takes a long time to see any improvement. A big hug to you and don't worry that people will think badly of you on this site. We are not whining just discussing our feelings and trying to help one another on this tough journey. Carolyne

Welcome to the family Chelle,
Sorry about meeting you under these circumstances, but you came to a good place for advice and support.
I agree your family is in denial. I am not sure how long you have been on O2, or all the meds, but the doctor that prescribed all that should be able to explain to your family if you ask him. The last thing you need now is stress.
Exercise is very helpul to copd patients, but only what they are able to tolerate, and with your problems, should be under a doctor's supervision.
If you are still being SOB, after all those meds and O2. you need to tell the doctor that also.
Please keep us informed, you will find a lot of nice, understanding people here.
Hugs.
Brenda

This may a strange statement but I think sometimes when people are denial that is how they keep hope...

That is tough. Part of that may be their own denial of the seriousness of your disease. I like the links that Denny posted. Its good to educate people. I have had people tell me (I have Asthma my father has Stage 4 COPD) that I can use my mind to get rid of my symptoms. It isn't until I get scientific with them on the process the body goes through during an attack that they seem to "get it"

Back to the denial part, there were many years I hoped and thought my fathers condition was reversible if only he would do XYZ. This was less of a belief and more of a hope.

So they really love and care for you they want you to be ok. That said, they need to learn about the disease you are dealing with. Also, find some "exercises" that you can do to feel better and not over do it (with your doctor's OK of course). My father found that he felt better by doing "Chair yoga" on a DVD. It is very slow moving with small weights but he felt a change in his energy level when he did it regularly. Make sure to get the Chair Yoga for COPD patients though. And ask your doctor.

I also find that forums like this are helpful for the illnesses and diseases we and our families suffer with. Most people don't get it until they go through it unfortunately.

Last but not least, welcome to the forum, I hope it helps you feel better.

I almost forgot, we have a humidity measuring device in our house and three or four humidifiers. My father found a particular relative humidity that makes him feel most comfortable, I will ask him what the percent is. Also, allergens, stay away! We now have an air purifier in every room (DO NOT GET an IONIZER! It makes O3 and is not good for lung patients).

Chelle, we can do nothing to change what others think, all we can do is focus on what we know to be truth and do what we have to do for us. My children do not understand either. And I like what was said in earlier posts about denial being their 'hope'. Never thought of it that way. So glad you are here - be encouraged and keep coming back!

Chill, get a noe from your doctor that explains what you have and give a copy to each family member. Or send some of denis web sites to them he has some great resources ..

Chelle, is this still going on? Haven't heard from you, but my advice would be to ignore what people say, Yes you need to exercise, yes you need to build up your intolerance, yes you are severely SOB with a bit of exertion, but most folks only see the outside, which looks good, it is the inside that is rotten. Do what you are able to do on your own and at your speed., Do walking a little at a time, like from one room to another, lift a few hand weights like 2 lbs. You really need to go to the doctor, get him to check everything out as to WHY you are still so short of breath with all those meds, ask him about light exercises. Tell the others to not slam the door when they leave lol.