Indeed is does. It'll take every bit of energy we have - whether we want it to or not. You don't need the reminding - the people around you do.
I still have people ask me "When will you get off the oxygen?", "When will you get better?" or "You look just fine". Lack of understanding regarding this disease is common. They don't have it, so they can only see skin deep. I insure that when I have new or what I consider important information that leads to uunderstanding more about emphysema, I pass it on to my family and close friends. If they still insist on being boneheaded, tis their bad luck when I get short tempered with their ignorance...

I'm with Denny on this, you need every tiny bit of energy just to make it thru a day. I have heard those same remarks from people that should know better. Denny's advise about sharing what info you have I believe to be sound, and I have done it myself. But I will add, one of the most important things is to not let them bs you into being foolish about your health issues. To not let them brow beat you into further hurting yourself. Listen to your doctor and take care of yourself.

Ditto Dennis and FL Ham, COPD/Emphysema is the number three killer disease here in New Zealand and the majority of people have never even heard of it.I too have a short fuse with people who tell me that I look too healthy to be seriously ill and no longer bother delivering information re this disease My immediate family understand of course because they witness the effects of the bad days, but even then I sometimes wonder if they really understand the big picture.

I agree with the 3 gentlemen's comments. COPD is a terrible disease. It definitely makes me tired. It is hard enough without people saying hurtful things. Sorry about that :( Let us know how it goes at Mayo. Good luck.

Extreme exhaustion was my first symptom ! I slept deeply, woke rested but wore out very early !
We're with you for support and understanding . Please keep us posted.

I am so sick of all those people that tell me I "look just fine" to them; and why do I need to nap; and why do I need oxygen (as it looks as if nothing is wrong with me at all). If they only knew? If only they could see my breathing test numbers; my lung ex rays; my heart echocardiograms, etc.

I am exhausted a lot; as in every day; as in, I have to nap after over-exerting. BUT-------DARNED IF I DO NOT LOOK JUST FINE!!!

I wonder if all these people ( that make comments to me) thing I am a hypochondriac; melodramatic; or what they are imagining?

I know I have had very severe Emphysema for years. I know my days are numbered------even if I pass on "looking just fine". LOL

Moe: I feel nothing but empathy for you. It is hard enough living with this disease; without all the ignorant comments we get----some from complete strangers. I know how exhausted you are. I am amazed that you work. You are stronger than I am. Best wishes to you.

Oh, how I agree. No one thinks I look bad. So therefore, I am not sick. My main giveaway is the oxygen tube. Most of my friends now accept that it takes me a few minutes to catch my breath after moving from point A to point B.

If only we weren't all so darn cute. Sigh.

Thank you so much everyone, I really needed the support. My husband is a good man and he acknowledges that I am sick, however openly told me an hour ago that I obsess about my health because I am either constantly searching for answers or doing something because of it. Although he is there physically and does a lot of things, he is not emotionally supportive and will admit this. I am at a point where I need to make a decision. Hope you all have a good breathing day!

All wars that we fight, become Very personal.
Vietnam was such.
COPD/Emphysema has found me too Old to fight my way out.
....and so I huff and puff, just mowing the grass.
I find bits of humor in the sadness of it all!
I try!...just try
..and Thanks ya'll!

Yer Special!

teespoon

The thing i find the hardest is when well meaning friends like invite you to dinner n you dont know how to politely tell them you cannot eat that huge plate of food n they say...hey eat it all up you need to put on weigth...maybe they r thinking you dont like the food but its so hard for them even though they know you have this COPD thingy but they dont really understand it.
Many many examples of trying to cope with other peoples characterizations about you because you look sooo fine.

teespoon,

I couldn;t agree more!

Moe - we are al in the same boat with this It is such a deceptive thing.I had a disagreemente withclose family member last week because I was invited to go down to DC and attend an event and said I couldn't go. There was a ticket reserved in my name and I contacted them and canceled it. I just couldn't have pulled off the trip and that's that. Don't give any quarter to this kind of thinking on their part I tell them I am sick inside not outside