What does your doctor say about clearing out the mucus? You have to stay as active as you can to help your body cope. Copd can't be cured but the progression can be slowed way down and maybe even halted for some people. There is much you can do to feel better.

Exercise may not add years to your life, but it most definitely will add life to your years. Most of us have come to realize that giving up is not an option. We still have too much living to do! And it's been reported that when someone just gives up, they go on a very fast downward spiral.

You will also find that your mood is better when you exercise. Your sleep is better, too.

I'm hoping you will choose life! I'll be glad to help you along the way. I'm praying for you.

hi sorry about the way you feel but sooner or later the desease will get us all i have had it now for 7yrs no matter what we do it wont go away you have to accept it i am ready for when the time comes you see i was fortunate to see smething wonderfull went to bed as normal only to find myself standing in front of a beautiful blue light i sensed god in the light anyway i just stood thier waiting for him to call me into the light but god did not say anything and the next thing i knew i was wide awake in bed i can only think that that the time was not right for me to go into the light i some times wish i did now but it has helped me because i now know that life continues after this one maybe god wanted me to share this exsperence with others and that it why he did not call me into the light i hope this helps you to cpoe with your illness from ..gus

My brother has bronchiectasis, which is one of the forms of COPD, and he deals with the same feelings that you do. He has two children, and there are times that he can't do the things he wants to as a father. He exercises everyday, even if he has to use O2, he makes himself do it. He does it for them. Four years ago, he started taking effervescent N-acetyl cysteine, and he says it really helps with the mucus. He can sleep through the night without coughing. Another good thing it does for him is keeps him from catching colds and bronchitis. I'm sure it could help you, too. He says the effervescent kind works the best. On a more spiritual note, I know that we are what we focus on, so try to keep focused on your blessings and the other parts of your body that are perfectly healthy. Try singing a happy song, and laugh...even if you have to fake it! Prayers to you, sweetie!

Hi Want2!
Sorry to hear that you're shaking a rough time.
Something to consider is that depression (the clinical kind,not just the blues) almost always goes hand in glove with any chronic,life altering disease.
I see in your profile you're in the throes of getting a divorce.That makes two MAJOR stresses in your life.
I was in depression for a couple years.Taught me how good a wife I have...I wouldn't have put up with me.
Please don't think I am trying to minimize your feelings because I'm not.They are real, and yes having this disease sucks.
If you haven't already done so,I hope you will give some thought to sharing your feelings with your doctor as well.
Good luck!

Want2b.

I feel like you do from time to time and then I think, isn't this just me asking "why me".Well, why NOT me, who do I think I am that I should not get sick. It starts to make me look at it differently. Remember, You are a child of the universe just like the trees and the starts, you have right to be here. Please make the best of it. I will pray for you.

oh sweetie, i am in your shoes, have had it for 8 years and depression is awful. feels like a black hole. I just keep my eyes on my grandbabies and kids and that gives me hope to make it thru 1 more day!

OH dearheart, what can I say? We all feel this, it can always get pretty down. But, when you really THINK about the FACT that it's all in GOD'S HANDS, well, it's going to be ok. I find myself so low that all I do is sit and cry for what seems to be forever. But, I pull out. And, I have gotten some meds from the doc to help me too. I don't have to take them every day, as needed only, so you could check this out.
I know for me, I'm all alone, I have one brother who lives out of state, would move here in a heartbeat, so he says to be with me, if we could work it out financially. He has major depression problems and smokes, so this isn't really an option, but, at least it's something to hold onto when it got really bad. I have no 'extreemly' close friends that can take me in. There have been 2 people that have offered me a room in their homes, or condos, but I can't climb stairs. I may be out on the street by this coming summer, I'm not certain. Eitherway, once the job is gone I know that my social security will be only about a 1000 a month, and that they will be taking out for the oxygen and certain medical, etc. and I'm scared to death as to where someone, who? public aid? will put me. Ihave no children, good co-workers that are helping now with everything that I need.
I don't know how God will work this all out for me, but I know that He will. I believe it, you must have FAITH that your prayers will be answered.
Please try to focus on your prayers to feel better and prayers to get better medical care, etc. It truly works.

Dear One, know that you have tremendous value to us and to God. Each of us have a purpose and reason for being here. Scripture tells us that some physical limitations are there to bring Glory to God. I am personally dealing with female cancer and 10 years of COPD fun. I can see how God's plan works into it, honestly I can. I just have to focus on the good things in my life and fight against the thoughts of despair that everyone struggles with. Our bodies are temples (although mine feels like the leaning tower of Pizza lately-LOL) and we must push to keep them in the best health we can. Walking, exercising and loosing weight helps us fight the good fight with more strength and stamina. I know where you are coming from. I need to loose weight also. It is really discouraging when I have sob for everyone to assume it is because I am overweight. They get truly unkind and judgemental. Last week while sitting at a bench outside of the Olive Garden a man with a lit cigarrette sat down right beside my and my O2. I panicked and then smilled and asked him if he knew Jesus. He got snotty and said, "don't preach to me lady". I smiled and said I only inquired so I would know whether introductions were needed when you blow both of us up in a minute. He hauled booty. Too funny. Another lady lectured me about my consequences for smoking costing tax payers. I never smoked a day in my life. COPD happens just like the other thing listed on the bumper stickers. Don't let these feelings of despair hold you back. The Lord has good plans for you. Remember to take the time and ask yourself where the thoughts you are having are coming from. Would God send this message to you or would the other side, which wants you to be miserable send these thoughts of despair. Reject all thoughts not from God. Hang in there. I identify with you and I struggle to find a reason to keep on keeping on sometimes too. Hugs and prayers to you.

alot of replies here and I can't say I know better because I really don't but I do know that whatever exercise I can get in is purely for my enjoyment and I really do enjoy it yet sometimes I know I just can't so I have to push myself a little extra or like you I will back off and try to find the strength slowly and whatever way I can . I'm sorry you are going through trials but if you do get a moment which you really enjoy please let us know that too .I can only wish you all the comfort life can throw at you ...be well .

Thank you all for being so supportive. It has meant so much knowing that so many of my friends here at DS care. I am feeling better these days. I think you all made me see the light a little more clearly. Thank you again and God Bless.

Please do rehab want2B - it will give you a better understanding and appreciation of your condition and how better to cope. You will feel better if you exercise - you will learn this at rehab.

I would say to you - why not make the remaining days of your life as comfortable as you can - you are worth it.

If you do nothing you will deteriorate much more quickly and it won't be very pleasant for you.

I had deconditioned myself before I was properly diagnosed, I could walk only a very short distance, I put on a lot of weight, I could not breath very well at all and I was finding everything very difficult.

I know that exercise is a must for COPD people and I also know the pulmonry rehab is very helpful in learning and coping with the condition.

Because I know how bad it can be and because I wouldn't wish anyone to suffer prematurely or unecessary I urge you to attend rehab and to try and walk out everyday for 20 minutes. You may only be able to manage 5-10 minutes initially but do keep doing it as you will improve.

Rehab will help you learn how to get rid of excess mucous. Exercise will stop you putting on more weight and you will start to breath easier and thus feel happier about staying here longer rather than shorter.

God bless and good wishes

I can only add to this wonderful myriad of replies what my doc told me. He said that many, many people live for many, many years with COPD. There are variables of how well you take care of yourself, avoiding irritants, colds, and taking certain suppplements, getting ample rest and exercise.
He told me in a rather light-hearted way, that if nothing else gets me first, my emphysema will probably be the reason I leave the planet in 20 years! I am already 61, and certainly could get hit by a bus tomorrow! Of course, we are all going to leave this life someday of something, but I'm kind of thinking that life is really just "now" - all my yesterdays seem like a dream and tomorrow hasn't happened. Trying to live in the moment with common sense about my self-care and a balance with trying not to dwell on the negative but be in the now as much as possible seems to help me. Just my two cents. Linda

Thanks Sassyme - that never occurred to me. Your are right, it could be a delicate situation. Warmly, Linda

Sorry you are having such a rough time.
When ever I get to the point I want to give up I tell myself it is not the quanity of life I have left but the quality of my life while I am here. I would rather have a few years of life and be able to do a little than to have a lot of years and have to lay in a bed and suffer.
I was told 10 years ago that I had COPD and my lung function has actually improved since then. Excesise and living healthy along with my medication has greatly improved the quality of my life.