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...
Well I was told a long time ago I had Asthma...........then later it was called Emphysema and now the Dr calls it COPD.
I never really had that many problems with it.......until about 1 year ago, 4 months after colon surgery. Went camping and I assume the thin are affected me badly. Couldnt do anything. Trying to walk up a hill took forever.........and I always had to stop and wanted so badly for something to lean on.
I have never been the same since. I blow air out alot........and just got worse. Went to a warehouse grocery store and couldn't even bag my groceries.
Dr did a lung function test for at night........they immediately put me on oxygen at night only. (my day stats, that they checked ONE time, were 96 and went down to 92 or so after walking.} anyway the test showed my oxygen levels got down to 66.......
so now I am on oxygen at night. At first I thought it made me feel better during the day but then sometimes I can't hardley breathe when I first get up out of bed.
every time I try to do things I just can't hardley breathe. I do take Spiriva occasionally and took some tonight and not sure but I think it helped. I also use Serevent and an occasional hit of Albuterol.
PLUS I came down with a cold the other day. and now my phlegm is turning yellow. So will go back and try and get an antibiotic. I have no insurance and the clinic I go to will NEVER just call something in, you HAVE to make an appt. It is cheap to go there for me so I have no choice.
I go down there to order more Spiriva today but that is all they will do , take the application.
I haven't quite quit smoking yet but we have set a Quit Date. never even thought I would do that.......but it seems to be mandatory now.
was wondering if I should use the oxygen a little during the day and see if that helps?
I figured I would go downhill, but this quickly? well guess this isn't a very positive introduction but have to talk about all this............
thanks for listening and all comments are welcome. Just don't get nasty about the smoking please lol I am quitting.........
Cheryl
I never really had that many problems with it.......until about 1 year ago, 4 months after colon surgery. Went camping and I assume the thin are affected me badly. Couldnt do anything. Trying to walk up a hill took forever.........and I always had to stop and wanted so badly for something to lean on.
I have never been the same since. I blow air out alot........and just got worse. Went to a warehouse grocery store and couldn't even bag my groceries.
Dr did a lung function test for at night........they immediately put me on oxygen at night only. (my day stats, that they checked ONE time, were 96 and went down to 92 or so after walking.} anyway the test showed my oxygen levels got down to 66.......
so now I am on oxygen at night. At first I thought it made me feel better during the day but then sometimes I can't hardley breathe when I first get up out of bed.
every time I try to do things I just can't hardley breathe. I do take Spiriva occasionally and took some tonight and not sure but I think it helped. I also use Serevent and an occasional hit of Albuterol.
PLUS I came down with a cold the other day. and now my phlegm is turning yellow. So will go back and try and get an antibiotic. I have no insurance and the clinic I go to will NEVER just call something in, you HAVE to make an appt. It is cheap to go there for me so I have no choice.
I go down there to order more Spiriva today but that is all they will do , take the application.
I haven't quite quit smoking yet but we have set a Quit Date. never even thought I would do that.......but it seems to be mandatory now.
was wondering if I should use the oxygen a little during the day and see if that helps?
I figured I would go downhill, but this quickly? well guess this isn't a very positive introduction but have to talk about all this............
thanks for listening and all comments are welcome. Just don't get nasty about the smoking please lol I am quitting.........
Cheryl
by the way thanks to you too kaput! this board can be very helpful.
I have been on serevent for last 10 yrs and use it faithfully for my asthma. It is just a maintance inhaler and not for emergency situations. I also use spirivia and have for long time. Not sure if it always helps. some days I say yes it does and others I say no.
I am on oxygen 24/7 however am able to go 5-6 hrs a day with out it as long a I am at a sitting rest period. Anytime I am active I do need to use it.
I have been disabled for last 4 yr an on medicare. The percrtiption drug plan does suck with it having a donut hole >>meaning that at one point you reach a limit and costing me 50% of the cost during that period of time. then you meet a limit again and it picks back up and pays more.
Wondering where it is that you get your serevent and sprivia free. As these 2 cost me a lot even with a drug plan.
What state do you live in that you cant quailify for medicaid??
I use a nebulize as needed but that is based on my Doc order.
I use to be as you in getting SOB with excertion as I am sure many here have also. Sometimes even with having 02 on I still can get SOB.
I find on days I am tired the SOB is worse than normal. So I do try to get a good night rest.
I hope you will be able to get some help financially and get the carte you need.
1-866-728-4368 call them and ask them to send you an appication for help with your meds. They also make Advair I am hoping I can get that through them. You will need a new RX and best to get 90 day supplies..........so tell your Dr. and have them put 3 refills on it. then if you get approved and get your first shipment , you would call in later to order your next shipment. There will be a new order date .....ie that is when you should call for your first refill.
Iuse to get the Spiriva through an Advocate at the clinic so this time tried to get it on my own. but on their application it says to have your Dr fill out the top and enclose your RX too but that the meds will always arrive at your Dr's office and you will have to pick it up there. Spiriva is made by BoehringerI Ingelhelm.Best thing to do for this one is is do a search on google for Spiriva Help and find the website. you print the app out from there, then take to Dr and have them fill it out and write your new script. If you stay on this I would get the RX for 90 day supply with 3 refills.
These both will go by your income to determine if you qualify.
This is exciting for me as no insurance or anything. I would try it even if you are on medicares drug plan ...........if you can't still afford it then get they would help you.
good luck, let me know if I can help you more with this.
I need to buy a oximeter or whatever it is called so I can watch my oxygen levels during the day.
I hope you can get help with your RX's so far I am pretty lucky except for needing to see a specialist or getting the right tests done...........but if I can make it till medicare that will help. my SS is so small I have no idea how I will pay for medicare LOL
Cheryl
I do hope things get better for you as I know it can all be frustrating during the process of trying to get people to understand our health issues when they are healthy themselves. There is no way they can understand how we feel unless they are stricken with the disease themselves.
We sometimes fight for every breath we take and that is not something one can relate to unless they experience it.
Hope today is a gopod one for you.
tom
I was diagnosed in 1999, at 43 years old. I quit smoking immediately, and was quit for five years; until a family argument/fight. I returned to smoking. I thought I had to have a cigarette to make it through all those bad feelings. I learned that I can never have ONE. That leads to one pack, one week, one year; etc. I did smoke for many years after, I restarted. Nothing I tried worked. I just, could not quit. Everyone was telling me that I had to quit. I knew this. My humble advise: Each person has to find their own way----please find what works for you.
I have been quit for some time now-----but the damage to my lungs is permanent and I am on oxygen 24/7. Sad, what I did to myself; but sometimes things go on in our lives that others have no understanding of-------and I learned that "I" am the only one that can change my life.
Scare tactics did not work on me; people bossing me did not work; nothing worked-----until I found my own way (that worked for me and my own issues); and now I am quit for good. I know this is long------but I hope I am helping you be encouraging to follow your own inner instincts and knowledge of your own personality (and personal issues)----to quit when you are ready to quit. I am very sorry that you have Emphysema. I have empathy for what you are going through.
I wish you the best-----always----without judgement. Blessings.