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...

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/ COPD & Emphysema Support Group

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sunshinedouglas
sunshinedouglas
I am in stage 3 emphysema and I just went on oxygen a couple days ago at night only 2L ..but my stress levels are thru- the -roof and I got upset and my ears started ringing, I felt like I was going to pass out but didn't I was able to pull myself out of it , then it happened again today I ended up calling a squad they said I need to keep calm, sure but I was terrified I ask the paramedic (wonderful people ) told me my balance was off and about the brown paper bag but now I'm afraid to do anything ! My doctor is not one to share info . and all I want to know is what to expect ? I'm so afraid and depressed . I cry a lot because I'm only 57 and I love my husband and my dogs , we have this happy little life together and I am not ready for the end. I don't have a life anymore ! I do neb treatments 4 times a day so I really feel tied down . So this is the short of it ....if anyone has advice or feels like this too please speak I would love to talk more oh also.. if anyone knows approx. how long it takes to adjust to the oxygen please let me know !! Thanks,Susan
GrayParrot
GrayParrot
Hello Sunshine, It might help you to be more comfortable with your oxygen if your doctor can refer you to a Respiratory Therapist. Some times doctor's don't give us enough information to know what to expect. I came home from the hospital on 3 LPM 24/7 and pretty much no knowledge about it. My R.T. realy helped. I also can call her anytime I have problems. R.T.'s have more training then most physicians. The more you know what to expect, the easier using O2 will become. It did become easier for me. Now, after over six years I don't really think about it as anything out of the ordinary. It's just part of life, and makes life easier. Do you have an oximeter to monitor your 02 sats as needed? They are affordable, and will allow you to see if your 02 level is up where it should be.
It will work out for you. :o)
Take care,
Linda In CA
deegran
deegran
Hello and welcome! I feel like what you describe sometimes. For sure. How long to adjust to oxygen? I guess you get used to it. I know it helps me breathe better and feel better. Kind of a trade off. Except I wouldn't trade it off. Life for me is better with the oxygen.

Linda has some good advice about the oximeter. And the respiratory therapist.

And pursed lip breathing is a good thing to learn also. Breathe in through your nose, then breathe out through pursed (kissy) lips. I do this a lot. Anytime I feel short of breath I stop and do the pursed lips breathing thing. It helps me catch my breath usually in a couple of minutes.

Sorry about your diagnosis. This is a good place to be. Hugs.
sunshinedouglas
sunshinedouglas
Thanks very much for the quick replies ! I don't have insurance so R.T. is not an option but we are working on it ,I don't have an oximeter yet but I'm going to order one tonight ;) thanks again for responding so quickly ...think i'm gonna like it here much love sunshine
jarca
jarca
hi and welcome to the board.
I agree with the others, that everyone with this disease (DX) should have an oximeter to monitor their blood oxygen levels doing different things.
You didn't mention if you just started using the nebulizer 4 times a day recently or if you were already on that.
the nebulizer makes me very shaky, my heart race & all the symptoms of a panic attack for 15 -30 minutes after using. So could this be a reaction to your nebulizer rather than your 02?
I had to change to a different medicine because that feeling was so bad for me)
again, welcome, I have been stage 3 for several years & on 02 for 5+ years. This is a chronic disease, but you can slow down the progress by taking care of yourself. You may be with us a long time still (((HUGS))))