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...
I have COPD Emphysema and possible vascular Kidney disease. I had a sonogram on my kidneys last Thursday because my GFR was 54 I hope to get the results today. I dont have high blood pressure or diabetes.
I have only 25% lung capacity now. I was diagnosed with Emphysema in 2000 with lung capacity of 30% at that time.
I have oxygen here at home. In the summer of 2006 just weeks after the death of my husband of 30 years. I had two long stays in the hospital, during that time they did a stress test and found I needed 4 leaders of oxygen when up and about and 2 leaters at rest and during sleep.
My oxygen levels at rest now with the pulse ox reads 91 to 98 and moving around from 88 to 95 with out oxygen.
For me this is very confusing. I only put the oxygen on when the palse ox reads below 91, and although I carry oxygen with me when I go out, I most often dont use it.
I notice that my oxygen levels go down when I am under stress, both physical and emotional.
I must be in some sort of denial. My doctor said that I have severe COPD but I seem to be doing better than most who only have 25% lung capacity, or is this they way it is for others the ups and downs with the oxygen levels.
I am cheerful most of the time, although nights are long.
I also wonder how menopause plays into all of this.
When I was diagnosed I was caring for my mother who then had Alzheimer's, this was very stressful, she died at home with me in 2002.
My husband died two years ago of colorectal cancer, another large emotional stress. I had divorced him just three days before Mothers death in 2002 then three months later he was diagnosed with cancer. I was with him when he died in 2006.
I was wondering with all this emotional stuff and menopause how much of my COPD is really stress related. I know I do have COPD but I dont think its as bad as they think it is. I had a Cat Scan in October that said I have mild Emphysema, and it is not different than the scan I had in 2003. I realize that the scan does not show small air ways which is where the damage is, so maybe the scans just cant see it.
So does anyone have oxygen levels that go up and down like this? and does stress effect oxygen levels?
I have only 25% lung capacity now. I was diagnosed with Emphysema in 2000 with lung capacity of 30% at that time.
I have oxygen here at home. In the summer of 2006 just weeks after the death of my husband of 30 years. I had two long stays in the hospital, during that time they did a stress test and found I needed 4 leaders of oxygen when up and about and 2 leaters at rest and during sleep.
My oxygen levels at rest now with the pulse ox reads 91 to 98 and moving around from 88 to 95 with out oxygen.
For me this is very confusing. I only put the oxygen on when the palse ox reads below 91, and although I carry oxygen with me when I go out, I most often dont use it.
I notice that my oxygen levels go down when I am under stress, both physical and emotional.
I must be in some sort of denial. My doctor said that I have severe COPD but I seem to be doing better than most who only have 25% lung capacity, or is this they way it is for others the ups and downs with the oxygen levels.
I am cheerful most of the time, although nights are long.
I also wonder how menopause plays into all of this.
When I was diagnosed I was caring for my mother who then had Alzheimer's, this was very stressful, she died at home with me in 2002.
My husband died two years ago of colorectal cancer, another large emotional stress. I had divorced him just three days before Mothers death in 2002 then three months later he was diagnosed with cancer. I was with him when he died in 2006.
I was wondering with all this emotional stuff and menopause how much of my COPD is really stress related. I know I do have COPD but I dont think its as bad as they think it is. I had a Cat Scan in October that said I have mild Emphysema, and it is not different than the scan I had in 2003. I realize that the scan does not show small air ways which is where the damage is, so maybe the scans just cant see it.
So does anyone have oxygen levels that go up and down like this? and does stress effect oxygen levels?
Carol
And yes, I recommend the book The Hormone Solution by Dr. Erika Swartz. speaks of how hormones can add or substract from our stress, certainly contribute to stress when they are out of balance. She is a pro bioidentical hormones rather than synethic hormones, which are rampant with side effects. I use bioidentical hormones - just a dusting!! Have a great weekend and keep your wonderful attitude. Warmly, Linda