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...
Hi all.....I have been all over the net trying to find a support group and decided this is the one for me. I too have been diagnosed with COPD. Doctors tell me I am in the severe stage. I am only 56 years old. I smoked for many years but am almost 2 years smoke free. Yah me!!! (;
This disease has taken its toll that is for sure. I am currently working just part time as it is getting difficult for me to work all day. I also am in the works of getting disability. (fingers crossed)
Every morning I wake up thinking omg, I have to endure another day of this. Some days are better than others but I am also getting depressed and deeply saddened. I have taken so many herbs and supplements thinking this will be the one that will make me feel better but nothing so far is working its magic. Anybody know of anything that makes them feel better? NON medical I am speaking. I have my rescue inhaler and also am on tudorza. I have oxygen available here at home to take as needed also. Thank goodness its not 24-7. (YET)
Anyway, just wanted to say hi to all of you and any feed back would be great. God Bless you all! (:
This disease has taken its toll that is for sure. I am currently working just part time as it is getting difficult for me to work all day. I also am in the works of getting disability. (fingers crossed)
Every morning I wake up thinking omg, I have to endure another day of this. Some days are better than others but I am also getting depressed and deeply saddened. I have taken so many herbs and supplements thinking this will be the one that will make me feel better but nothing so far is working its magic. Anybody know of anything that makes them feel better? NON medical I am speaking. I have my rescue inhaler and also am on tudorza. I have oxygen available here at home to take as needed also. Thank goodness its not 24-7. (YET)
Anyway, just wanted to say hi to all of you and any feed back would be great. God Bless you all! (:
You might find this past discussion useful: Breathing Test Results And SSDI
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/COPD_Emphysema/forum/19899645-breathing-test-results-and-ssdi
Particularly gro100s post. If I had had this information before I started the application process things might have gone better (I had to get a lawyer). Unfortunately I had the additional issue of being a contract programmer/analyst, thus as long as I could type at a keyboard I was considered employable. Smile.
Depression is a serious problem with COPD as it can lead to a reduction in exercise. A regular Exercise routine is the most important non-medical treatment you can employ to increase your quality of life and slow the progression of the disease. I assume you are seeing a pulmonologist, ask him if you can enroll in a pulmonary rehab program.
And to just liven up this discussion Im not a big fan of herbal supplements. Ive taken a few that helped, and others have reported products that helped them, but in the majority of instances Ive witnessed herbal supplements tend to get abused and all too often cause more problems than they resolve.
I am not a big fan of herbs but I take a lot of vitamins, separately because I am on warfarin for life and some vitamins don't work well with it. I also take N-Acetyl Cysteine at the suggestion of the Johns Hopkins White Paper on COPD.
I exercise several times a week but not as strenuous exercises as some -riding my stationery bike helps the most. I am 76 yo, have moderate stage COPD and have had it for five years. Haven't smoked for over a decade. Lots of fluids too.
I avoid steroids the vast majority of the time since I intend to stay around for several years and I don't wish to deal with the long term side effects of steroids.
Depression, after bilateral pulmonary embolisms and then COPD, was a real nuisance but I am on Zoloft now and that seems to really help but different meds for different people can be considered.
Good luck with the SSDI. Take the best care of yourself that you can.
Hugs, Cindy
Besides not smoking, daily exercise has helped me feel significantly better and able to do more. If you are not currently exercising regularly, the sooner you start the better. Without daily exercise I am sure the quality of my life would be significantly degraded.
Do you monitor your oxygen saturation with an oximeter?
Best wishes,
Susan
Glad you made it here. tis a wonderful place with lot of good people. one of the most important things to remember is we all have a disease with the same name - and nothing else in common.
Gnott mentions exercise - do as much as you can within reason. The natural pheromones will kick in and make you feel better...
Hugs,
Dennis
Date: January 30, 2015
Source: American Physiological Society (APS)
Summary:
Older adults need to double the recommended daily allowance of protein to efficiently maintain and build muscle. Current US recommendations for daily dietary protein intake are 0.8 grams/kilogram of body weight (roughly 62 g of protein per day for a 170-pound person)
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150130121613.htm
Welcome to our group, and like to hear you are venting because you need to get it all out. It's a tough disease, but I'm so glad to still be here.It's been 24 years since I quit and 23 years since diagnosis and most days are still enjoyable, abet with increasing limitations. Hope you can get your disability because then you can do things when able and say no when it's too much!
Will look forward to hearing more from you, take care, Ann
My only addition to all this good advice is to have your doctor
prescribe Pulmonary Rehab for you....especially if your
insurance covers it and many do.
You'll be happy here I am sure.
Sunny