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...
My mom went to her Pulmonary doctor last Friday. He spent a lot of time with her and conducted a few tests. She is now required to carry oxygen. A few questions. Of course she is having trouble sleeping not being use to the tube up her nose and hose to keep up with. She said she feels like a dog on a leash. Any tricks or hints to make this easier?
A few mornings after her first time with it, she woke up with a headache. The doctor said that was normal. Does this get better?
Her nose is so sore from the plastic tubing going into her nostrils. The nurse said that she can use something water based to put on it. However, it doesn't ease the pain because there is a sore there now and she fears it will never heal with the tube in there constantly. Any advice?
Last but not least- this is new to her and to me. I hate it for her and all of you. The doctor says she's at Stage 3. Hearing that completely freaks me out. I have not researched and studied the stages yet. What does this mean for her? I guess everyone is different. I'm scared. There's nothing I can do to change it though. I figure I can gear up with knowledge and just hope for the best.
Thanks for any feedback and advice.
A few mornings after her first time with it, she woke up with a headache. The doctor said that was normal. Does this get better?
Her nose is so sore from the plastic tubing going into her nostrils. The nurse said that she can use something water based to put on it. However, it doesn't ease the pain because there is a sore there now and she fears it will never heal with the tube in there constantly. Any advice?
Last but not least- this is new to her and to me. I hate it for her and all of you. The doctor says she's at Stage 3. Hearing that completely freaks me out. I have not researched and studied the stages yet. What does this mean for her? I guess everyone is different. I'm scared. There's nothing I can do to change it though. I figure I can gear up with knowledge and just hope for the best.
Thanks for any feedback and advice.
Welcome to our group. For the sore nostrils, the is a nasal gel called "Ayr" that can be used to keep her nostrils from harm from dryness or chafing, so the sore should heal with time. We got ours from Wal-mart.
The headache I have no idea on, mayhaps one of our other members has an idea. 've never had a headache form O2, just lack of O2.
The cannula takes a while to get used to. Making sure it isn't too tight (or loose). Making sure that you have adequate hose to go everywhere you need to around the house. A method to secure the hose to your clothes to prevent pulling on your face.
As far as the GOLD stage 3 diagnosis, that is the quartile where your mother fits as far as the various measurements her doctor made. From that, the doctor can make certain recommendations (such as the O2 and medications). There are 4 stages, with 1 being the initial stage and 4 termed the end stage. That bieng said, remember that we are all different and statistic are just that.
Knowledge will allay many of the fears. Here are some resources for getting more information:
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/COPD_Emphysema/forum/15547550-copd-resources
http://www.copdfoundation.org/
http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/copd-guidelines/for-patients/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-copd.php
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/
http://www.emphysema.net/default.asp
Take care,
Dennis
You seem very knowledgable. If I may ask, how long have you been acquainted with COPD?
welcome!
i am at stage 3 & have to wear O2 24/7. we are all different so this is my experience only.
i "roll" in my sleep & when i first got O2 i woke up with it wrapped around my neck (laugh now ;). so like denny suggested, i found at walmart, in the stationary & pen section; the plastic strips they make to clip on ID tags. the plastic part with the snap goes around my O2 line perfect & then i clip it to my shirt or pajama top about waist level.
my O2 supplier gave me a lotion that i can use inside my nose that doesn't have petroleum. when i 1st got the O2 i let those sores in nose get out of hand & infected; the dr had to give me some antibiotic cream to clear it up, so if your mom's nose is so sore that it may be infected i suggest talking to dr.
there are different canulas also. i personally like the "curved" nose pieces as the "straight" ones go too far up my nose & rub more. i know some people that like the straight ones & trim the nose piece shorter.
i always feel like "a horse being reigned in" when i catch my line on a door knob & get pulled to a sudden halt...then i saw my son catch his coat pocket on a doorknob & after laughing at him i decided it's time to learn to laugh at some of this.
all else aside, i love having my O2 because i can breathe better. when i 1st got it i noticed i could think better & that my legs felt stronger.
and best of all i joined this board so i could share & learn from others who have this disease. i no longer feel so alone!
i hope that you both soon feel the same!
Thank again!!
The only time I have nose problems with my oxygen is if I run out of water in it (concentrator).........and I had no problem adjusting to it, as it was either that or not breath........I went for the breath part.............LOL
I hope she gets it worked out. .......... I do remember they o2 supplier told me not to use any petroleum based products in my nose (face) while on o2......but I think that has sumptin to do with burning the house down................:):):)
Go to softhose.com
Welcome to our group.... I have been useing oxygen 24/7 about 3 years now. I am in stage 4, and still trucking!! So don.t let numbers scare you. O2 is hard to get use to, sometimes I step on the tubing and jerk my face down, or jerk the cannula out!!LOL But I promise you, once she gets use to it, it will be like part of her. Make sure there is plenty of hose from her concentrator to her bed so she can toss and turn at night, Have the head of her bed raised a bit, or use a wedge pillow, will help er breathing, and that "Ayr" for inside the nose is great!! I use it all the time.
You can not use any lotion that is petroleim based, and this is saline lotion.She may need a humidifier in her room or on the concentrator to keep her sinuses from drying out, which causes the sores also. The doctor will need to decide that,
She could also order the soft nasal cannulas as one member said.
Dennis is out encyclopedia of sorts. he always has the best web sites to visit.
I do not know about the headache, unless it is sinus related. You should run that by the doctor. We only get headches if we do not get enough or to much oxygen, that is why the doctor should make sure the amount she is taking and do not change it.
You and your mom, when she comes online will meet some very friendly people in this group, very helpful and understanding.
So, sorry we have to meet this way, but welcome to you both.
Brenda
As far as the stages I have no idea, they haven't given me a stage yet. They are just calling it severe.
I hope your Mom gets used to it.
Gary
The O2 flow seemed more focus & did cause drying. Possibly the dry is what gave me a headache. I called my suppliers & asked for the softer cannula with the bigger hole....no more problems.