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...

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How do i help to ease SOB?

Mamasdarlin
Mamasdarlin

My wife has copd, chf and Parkinsons. She is under Hospice care but most of the time i am caregiving. Doc put her on morphine long lasting pills and addl bumex. Just walking to the bathroom with walker gets her so winded and SOB. What can i do to help? She already taking xanax and break through liquid morphine. I just want her to breathe easy and be comfortable.  Thabk you

RachelCass
RachelCass
Has she ever tried norethisterone steroids or steroid 'preventer' medicine. I have heart failure with asthma, recurrent pneumonia and copd. Morphine can help in any cough or pain relief but may not help breathlessness. I'm not a doctor and only going on personal experiences. I also found gentle exercise like a slow walk or swimming helps to increase your lung capacity but you have to have determination not to just give up. I know just how terrifying it is when you can't get your breath easily. Various things are recommended like physiotherapy and oxygen treatment at home. If she can get the right support in the community I personally think she'll be an awful lot happier and better rested which is an around help. Have you brought up the conversation of a transplant or is she too ill for that? I'm so sorry for the predicament you find yourselves in. It's heartbreaking and incredibly frightening for your dear wife. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Hugs xxxxx
zelli
zelli
You are helping by being her caregiver. I know its not easy standing by and feeling helpless. Morphine and Xanax are the usual medications given to make one more comfortable. The hospice nurses are experts at bringing comfort to patients and families.
Mamasdarlin
Mamasdarlin
Thank you both for your replies!
gwapo
gwapo
I think the biggest help you can give is what you are giving right now and that is being there for her.....Hospice Care are usually there to provide as much care and comfort during these last period of the journey......The SOB is more than likely the enormous energy to get rid of the Carbon Dioxide from the blood and a heart that is struggling with the extra demands of performing this task.....so basically PLB and a slower pace might alleviate the issue by a small margin...The ''Break through'' Morphine can help and it can be combined with a Slow Release Morphine Sulfate or similar and worse case scenario Patches like Fentanyl........Anxiety and depression is and always has gone hand in hand with this disease, so the Xanax or another Benzo helps a great deal.....

Edema, Fluid retension and Ankle Swelling also are taken care of by the Staff, so hopefully your wife is in good hands...

Take care of yourself as well and all the best......
Mamasdarlin
Mamasdarlin
Thank you gwapo.....question....what does PLB mean?
zelli
zelli
PLB means pursed lip breathing. Breathing out like you are blowing out a candle.

Relax your neck and shoulder muscles.
Breathe in for 2 or 3 seconds through your nose, keeping your mouth closed. Then breathe out for 4 or 5 seconds through pursed lips. In other words breath out twice as long as you breath in.
gwapo
gwapo
Here is a Link to Purse Lip Breathing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPRng3FRD4
gwapo
gwapo
I am not sure with this site..trying to edit cos Link won't open....Trying again or copy n paste into your browser...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwxy9FLBMjk
Mamasdarlin
Mamasdarlin