O BY THE WAY IAM ON AN INHALER AND HAVE HAD BRONCHITIS SEVERAL TIMES AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YR. I do have a lot of trouble sleeping. I do a little better when i keep my mind busy like at work or here at home,but not always as in lately. I PANIC REALLY BDA WHEN I CAN'T BREATH. I try really hard not to do that w/ some purse breathing, (NOT SURE IF I SPELLED IT RIGHT) I do think I do need to be on a breathing machine,but maybe not 24/7 I hope. I need help from al of you and know sugar coating please I NEED THE TRUTH! MY HEART GOES OUT TO EACH AND ALL OF YOU FOR BEING SO BRAVE. now I just need to get there.thanks for any advise linda

Hi Linda, I'm so sorry to meet you this was. COPD can be treated. I would urge you see your doctor again, and ask the he schedule a breathing test...it's not invasive but maybe a little uncomfortable. I, too, have been a smoker for 43 years. My oxygen levels are are in the 90's, which is good, so I am not on home oxygen. The breathing treatments with a nebulizer takes about 15 minutes, and not at all unpleasant. I take four treatments a day. And like you, I have had asthma all my life. I have an emergency inhaler but don't need it very often, and I have an inhaler called asmanex that I use eveyday. It is not for emergencies, it is a treatment..and there are several types like this one.
You will find lots of friends and great encouragement here. I'll be send you an invitation for friendship.
This is a very scarey disease, but for me, it was the not having someone who understands what I'm going through. But I found that understanding here at DS.
So take care Linda, we are here for you...Becky

Hi Linda and welcome....Your feelings seem about normal to me....I am sorry your having to deal with this possibility but girl get to the doc. Knowledge is power....Power to understand and lessen the fears that creep up....power to manage the symptoms and power to live a life around this.....I hope this is not something you will have to live with but knowing is the first part of the battle....then you know what your dealing with and set up a course of treatment that will no doubt help you feel loads better....If you haven't already....try to stop smoking....as this seems to be the one thing that slows the progression of this disease way down....You ask for honesty....raw truth and answers....I had to smile because this is exactly my way.....No sugar coating...lets get to it....lol.....This tells me you do have a need to know one way or the other so again I strongly advise that you set an appointment and get the answers....You really need to know.....If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask.....I for one will be forthcoming as I am sure many others will.....It doesn't have to be a death sentence.....Attitude and aggressive treatment with the appropriate meds really do make a difference in how a body feels and handles it.....One last thing.....TRY NOT TO PANIC WHEN YOU ARE SHORT OF BREATH....Easier said then done but the calmer you remain....the quicker the air will move.....I think of it as labor pains....lol....Not near as pleasant but it does pass and whew what a relief....Slow breaths......Hang in there and please let us know all you find out.....The first step is always the hardest....Good luck.....I hope to hear more from you real soon.....
Love and Blessings, Serenity

Hi Linda, I am also 52 and was diagnosed with COPD a couple years ago. The good news is if you're diagnosedwith COPD, there are medications and precautions you can take to handle the bronchitis and also help you to breathe more freely. Also, many people use oxygen only at night.
Good luck!

Hi Linda,

Welcome to our house. You were strong 2 years ago to go see a Doc, so I know you can "muster" up the courage to go back to the Doc now. If you have a GP, he will probably refer you to a Pulmonologist. He will check you out and have you blow "real hard" and long into a hand-held machine. He can tell a lot from that test.

Each one of us are different, but we all stand under the same umbrella called COPD. I found out in October 2008 that I have COPD,by December I was on oxygen just at night, and by February I was on oxygen 24/7. I'm different than must people. I started out with asthma attacks when I was young, so I know the anxiety of not be able to breath (when you want to). I am also a phelm builder. Last week my Doc put me on Singulair, along with my Spiriva (long acting) and a short acting inhaler, and what a difference it made for me. I have very low oxygen levels. My oxygen saturation level is about 78 without oxygen, and as high as 91 with oxygen. With the Singular, my sat. level was 85! My GP is still scared of me (she thinks I will have a heart attack in her office, but I think it's my blue lips scare her more. lol)

The quicker you get to the doctor, the quicker you will find out something and stop the waves of anixiety. Let us know what the Doc tells you.
Laurie

omg you guys are awsome! just the few post I GOT MADE ME FEEL SOOOOO MUCH BETTER.YES i do need to go back to the doctor and see what the heck is going on.If i have it then I need to deal w/ it and realize, their is meds to make it a little more easier for me. Iwill make an appt. monday w/ my doc and tell her how I feel about all of this.(LIKE SHE ALREADY KNOWS HOW IAM!) Thanks so much for all of your input, it has help me to do the right thing. please keep me in your prayers and will let you know what is going on. but........ I will still be keeping in touch w/ all of you till I find out what is going on, and will remain on this awsome board, w/ pp who really care and will give me the strength to do all the right things. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!
LINDA

Hi Linda, and welcome to our little family of friends. Oh sweetie, I sure do remember back when I smoked (28 years) and was breathing so badly. I'd lay in bed at night and wonder if I'd ever muster up the courage to go to the doctor and be truthful with him, and especially to finally and for good - quit smoking. It was so hard, but I think I knew that unless I did, I'd die. I also truly came to grips with the addiction aspect of smoking. I just didn't want to be addicted anymore. So I really can identify with you and I understand your feelings. But you, it's better to know, than not know. So I hope you will find yourself visiting a pulmonologist very soon. Take care, and let us know how you are doing. Hugs, Sue

I am so relieved to hear you say you will set an appt. with your doc. Honey, the knowing is the only way to deal with whatever the results are.....More times then not the worry and anxiety of wondering is so much worse then reality....I am thinking of you this night and sending positive energy your way.....Whatever the results...just a gentle reminder that you are not alone....We are here should you need a few friends.....Its going to be okay.....One way or the other it is going to be okay or as okay as you choose to make it.....Hang in there and know myself and many others care....Hugs to you....
Love and Many Blessings, Serenity

Hi Linda ~ Welcome to the group. About 4 years ago I went to the hospital because I couldn't breath either. Why, same reason smoking but I coated it with paint because I never wore a mask. The doctors told me I would have to go on oxygen right then for 24/7. My first bit of advise after I tell you to STOP SMOKING IF YOU HAVEN'T is to either join a gym, bye a bicycle or bye a exercise bicycle. Ride it every day a little at a time. I'm hoping for one on Father Days. If you were told you have COPD, the social security will classify you as disabled and send you a check each month. Hope this has helped... if you need more information contact me at
keeton-jack@att.net because I don't come here but a couple times a week.

Hi LInda
I'm on O2 24/7 and lead a great life. I exercise, go to art club, out out to dinner, shop, most everything. The O2 allows me to do that. It's a death sentence if you allow it to be, by staying couped up, not living!
I have been this way for 5 years. I take my meds and eat right, exercise, and stay on my O2. If you need o2 and don't get it, your body will suffer - Your organs that depend on o2. It really is not as bad as you paint that picture.
Here for questions = Donna

Hi Linda ... I, too, have COPD and am on oxygen 24/7. I also have a bi-pap machine and use that every night along with my oxygen. A good night's sleep is essential to better breathing and better breathing is essential to good health. Low oxygen levels can cause all kinds of other problems so you are wise to go back to your doctor. It really isn't so scary once you know what you are dealing with and what things can make you feel better. I know there isn't a much worse feeling than not being able to breathe. Stick with the group here ... there are many people who can answer your questions ... but first you need to know exactly what you are dealing with. As someone said, we are all different and different things have worked for all of us but your best resource to begin with is your doctor. Good luck and let us hear how things are going. Annie