Hi Beachlover..I do not come here regularly now but sometimes check in....Sorry to hear of what you are going through....A lot sounds like lack of exercise and fitness....Our puffers and steroids like Prednisone can cause hoarseness of voice and is quite common, that is why with the puffers we need to rinse our mouths after use or Thrush can develop......

As you know Edema that affects ankle and lower limbs are possibly caused by fluid retention.....A dark red/burgundy around feet are also signs of oxygen deprivation, as extremities both feet and hands are the first parts that react to lack of oxygen.....Most Edema caused by High Blood Pressure Meds so Diuretics are not recommended but that is getting into Professional Treatment.....

Eye edema - in and around the eyes, could be Corneal Edema, but Periorbital (puffiness around the eyes) may be.... but I do not know what your diagnoses is. It does not sound like the serious condition called ''Macular Edema'' but oxygen therapy is supposed to help with vision issues....Again Professional Treatment is required.

Oxygen will not stop you being short of breath. The wheezing sounds are caused by inflammation and narrowing of your bronchial tubes........

So what is your Fev. 1 or your main PFT test diagnoses.....What I mean is it Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis (Coughing) or something else??

Anyway I will check back n check on you later on.....Take care...Peter

Thank you for your response. The doctors say I have COPD. Right now the numbers for the PFT apparently showed I had mild disease I believe. But, I have deteriorated since then. My next PFT is in 2 weeks, right after that test I go to UCLA to discuss things with them. I am seeing my ENT next week. I saw my pulmonary doc yesterday and they didn't know what to say. The noises are definitely from my neck area.

I wear a big boot on my foot for an ankle problem. I am getting a permanent brace in maybe a week. I really cannot do much if any exercises as I get SOB on minimal movement.

I know it isn't good, but one of the few things that I have left that I enjoy, is to eat really crappy food. This plus I cannot cook healthy meals any longer. I get semi ready frozen meals from a company which are real easy to put together or just toss in the oven. They are comfort foods really and not low cal.

Hi , pulm rehab is good for you. the exercise is good for you. do a bit more each time and it helps with sob in the long run. I have let myself get lazy last few months and have become sob alot but I know the more exercise I get the less sob I will get. It does not fix it but can make it better. Do what you can , talk to the person at pulmonary rehab. I know its awful trying to live with copd but I do what I can.

Forgot..you mentioned putting on weight....obese is the term you used..Well that in itself will make your pulse race as your heart is having to do much more work to keep your lungs functioning.....There is a strong connection between Lungs n Heart....Believe me as I have Cardiac issues that is primary caused by my very low lung capacity and retention of carbon dioxide.....Purse lip breathing did this exchange before and kept my oxygen saturation high......But no more and had 2 hospitalisations needing Bi-pap to get rid of this excess Co2..........So I suggest if you cannot do physical exercise in rehab...here is my friends FB page......Lots of low impact videos you can do at home.........but you cannot just sit around or your COPD will progress so quickly that more serious damage will follow.....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/946867158666365/

or if you want to talk everyday try......
http://philns.proboards.com/

LOVE THIS SITE WHEN YOU CANNOT EVEN ADD A LINK......Just copy n paste it in your browser....

Please do not compare yourself to those other people. I walked in your shoes in many ways. I did not gain the weight but 5 years ago I had to start the rehab and at that time I was only on O2 at night and for the rehab. I had to drag one of those big tanks and for the first couple of times I could not make it around the gym without stopping about 5 or 6 times and I was crying the entire time. I cried from embarrassment and also from fear. With the encouragement of the other people and the staff I hung in there. At the end of the 12 weeks I could do 10 laps and 20 minutes on the bike (in 2 minute stints.) There are also many exercises you can do from a sitting position. Please try them, don't give up. If you can only walk to the bathroom today - well tomorrow try walking to the bathroom and back even when you don't need to. I also go a walker, the kind you can sit on and I use it when I have those crap days and can't do it on my own. Fight Fight Fight

Well, this old lady in her 80:-( 87)-isn't doing any better than you.I have emphysema, very hi blood pressure, neuropathy, acute acid reflux and hypothyroidism. Can't walk, eat or breathe. Have just given up,hell with it, don't care anymore, lonely, hurt, sick, miserable, just want to die.