I think it is wonderful that you are still working, or even able to work. A lot of us are not able.
No one can answer that question but you, as to if it is time to cut back on your hours. But if it were me, yes I would, and spend the time resting and exercising for that transplant. (By exercising, I mean to the extent that you can)
I understand what you mean by oxygen options, because even tho our concentrators from the medical supply say 5LPM, the guy that delivers them said they very rarely can reach 5LPM without problems, and to use that for to long would burn them out
If you qualify for disability, then go for it, because having to go thru a bad winter like ya'll have may do more damage than you think, with the extra demand for oxygen. You are waiting for "the call" but until then, take care of your self, so you will be able to answer that call.
Just my opinion. The next step if you run out of oxygen options, and no call, would probably be a b pap, machine, much like the cpap.
BJ.

I have had to stop working, now my daughter tells me I do too much, has been a big adjustment I try to take it in stride, baby steps I guess you could say. Good thoughts are coming your way.

it's a personal decision that you must make for yourself.
but you asked so;
my opinion/choice would be to get SSDI set up (which it sounds like you have) and "retire" on SSDI while waiting for the transplant call.
it seems like you will have to stop working for the transplant & recovery time anyway, so this would give you a chance to get "ready" at home for it.
i'm a control freak though so i would want to be sure my home and things are ready before so that after the surgery i would have nothing to worry about but coming home & healing.

also; the cold/frigid temperatures are so hard on me any more that i can't imagine having to work in the winter = i would be the worlds worse employee having to take days off for my "dad days" that increase in the winter.
good luck and welcome to the COPD board :)

I understand why you are reluctant to leave your job. Yet I personally would put all my energy into staying healthy and getting ready for your transplant. You can probably return to your job several months after your transplant. Good luck to you and let us know how your transplant goes !!

I went on disability for my condition 12 years ago and have worked part time several times since. I don't know how you are handling it now being on 6L. I would think that would be too hard. I worked as a self employed tax preparer and the stress itself made my breathing worse. It could be if you took it a little easier that your actual breathing might be better. The part time jobs I took were not as stressful and loved doing something and bringing in a little extra money. Your words "I am exhausted thinking about it" I can relate to. That itself would make things worse for me. I don't know your situation etc. Two years ago during winter I spent over 2 months in the Florida Keys in that warm weather with the salt air etc and it did wonders. I am not saying that is for you but maybe take a break and see what happens. I am not working now and wish I was doing something to get out. I have even volunteered here when able just to be doing something. You can work part time with SSDI. Just my thoughts.

I was already on complete disability for other conditions when I got my emphysema diagnosis. I can't imagine how I could still be working. So I admire you! But maybe, like the others say, it would be best to retire, build yourself up, and prepare yourself for surgery. I'll be praying for you. Sending a hug! Linda

First off. Welcome to this wonderful group. As everyone has said. You must decide what is in your best interest. Do you have a case worker you can talk to? What about just talking to the customer service people at Medicade to find out what options you may not be aware of. Bottom line is you need to take the best care for yourself as possible so you will be in shape for your upcoming transplant.

Thanks to all that responded to my recent concerns. I agree with everyone that is is my decision and only I will know when the time is right. I can't help thinking that all I am doing is keeping the bills paid - which is very important - but maybe it is time to consider having less bills?

I was referred to my current clinic/Dr by a previous Dr. in 2011 to be evaluated for transplant. I was NOT ready to even explore that option until last year. As a part of the evaluation, I met with the head thoracic surgeon. In her visit summary she listed me as end stage. Those 2 words have been the biggest eye opener for me. I knew I was considered severe, stage 4, I've known how scary trying to breathe can be when in the midst of a bad exacerbation. Those 2 words are game changers for me and now my priorities are very different today.

My job is not at all physically demanding - I listen to music and answer email all day. I am paid well and get a lot of PTO, come January I will have about 200 hours. I have FMLA approved, just waiting to take the 3 months for recovery. If I was not so ill, I would greatly appreciate the STD and pay I can receive when the time comes. But I understand enough about transplant to know that once I have mine, life as I know it will be done. Hopefully my outcome will make it all worth it, but that is not guaranteed.

I take my responsibility to my health now very seriously. I try to eat as best I can, I take my supplements, I ride an exercise bike daily. But I would like more time to focus on myself, both mentally and physically. This time of year there are sick people all around me at work and I resent being exposed to all of their germs. Some days it feels like I am being held hostage in my cubical. Besides, I think I would enjoy being a mall walker...:-)

whoa! work or not i have to comment that i do not like the terms, "end stage" or "last stage" as they just conjure up in people's minds that their time here on earth is short.
COPD is rated 2 ways;
stages 1 thru 4
or
mild, moderate, severe & very severe

true, if someone has reached "stage 4" or "very severe" they are in the last or end stage, but that sure doesn't mean it's over yet.
seems to me people have lasted years in stage 4 or very severe; so don't start nailing in the coffin nails.

http://www.healthline.com/health/copd/end-stage-copd

also dr's using the term "advanced"---that's not in either of the "official" ways to rate copd so when told "advanced" is the dr saying you are "severe/stage 3" or "very severe/stage 4"?

words can make such a difference on how someone sees themselves and deal with their lives. dr's need to be more aware of wording what we can't "look up" in true medical terms.

whew, off my soapbox, but i needed to vent;
now back to your working vs not working plans :)

there was a time in my life i was making real good money, but long hours & 6 days a week. i offered a job that would have given me more time off, but pay would have been less.
the old saying that we spend what we make is true. i looked around at how i was living & decided i could live without some of the things i was paying for and i was able to change jobs by changing a few spending habits. it worked for me, but once again that is decisions that only you know & can make.

I work for USPS running a very small rural post office. It is a "one man show" so no matter how bad of a day I might be having or how tired I am because of not getting enough 02 or my back and chest muscles hurting so badly that only another COPDer would understand. There is NO replacement and absolutely NO calling in sick....don't even think of trying that. You are to report until a replacement can be found...then you can go home but NOT before! I work 6 days a week for 4 hours a day but actually I come in about an hour early so I can get done in the same time as I'm allotted so I can keep up with "healthy" and mostly younger employees.
When I finally get off on Saturday day 6 mornings I usually go eat breakfast and most usually go home and sleep off and on (mostly on) till 4AM Monday morning and it's like ripping a scab off every morning at 4 AM when I'm tired and sore.
The job is easy and I love my customers....it's me that is having trouble keeping up.
I will need to do this until February of 2016 when I will finally be able to receive Medicare. Until then I must work so I can pay for my insurance.
I dream of the day when I can sleep whenever I am tired and wake whenever I want without having to worry about having to get up at 4AM for work.
That is why my goal is to live to retire.

I would look into filing for disability.
[Warning. General unqualified advice follows. Safely ignored. Smile.]

1) Any activity that you have to fight-through or leaves you in a run-down condition is NOT good. Every time you do that you risk doing more damage to your lungs. Remember COPD is chronic, irrecoverable, and progressive think of it as slow erosion. Anything beyond the normal increases the erosion. That is, everything you said sounds like a ideal plan but perhaps not if you dont make it to 2016.
2) Unlikely your story as given will be considered sufficient grounds for disability upon first filing. but every office and case worker is different. You may need to employ an attorney. It takes time but you will eventually be successful. Dont believe everything (naysayers or Pollyannas) you hear on streets ask the experts.
3) You will likely receive a larger check, and other benefits (Fed, state, union, retailers, etc.), under disability than via normal qualification.
4) You need to compare your current insurance plan and what your options are after you retire, against regular retirement and/or disability. NOW is the time to find out. NOT when you retire. The disability attorneys can often help you with this information or direct you to people who can.

I had a physical job and had to quit,. I don't know how they deal with the fact you are still working, I know I had to be not working for 6 mo before I could receive soc sec disability. you probally qualify health wise but don't know about how the continued working thing works.
The air is cold in Mn, I lived there some years ago, but even here in Pa the cold air takes my breath away. take care, winter coming fast. Hope your operation is success, wish you well!

Howdy and welcome to a great group. I decided to stop working when I found that I could not contribute due to my emphysema. The doc had been nagging me to quit and it was time. Tis a personal and serious decision you need to make. Weigh the pros and cons, pick a date and go for it.

Hugs,
Dennis

The catch 22 is that you must wait 2 years from the time that SS finds you disabled to be eligable for medicare and unfortunately I am too rich (you can't have more than 2,500.00 in the bank) to get medicade. I was found disabled by SS in February of 2014 and started to receive a check. Receiving medicade is out of the question. I live in a border state so there is very little medicade left for sick old people because most of it is being spent on pregnant women and children's programs. Anyway I'm not allowed to have savings enough to get me through the redtape wait to get certified for medicade so I see no other alternitave than to work and try my best to conserve my energy and make up sleep when I get home every day.
I wanted to apply for disability when I was diagnosed in the hospital and sent home on 02 in October 2012 but the social worker said I wasn't disabled enough to qualify and that I needed to return to work since what I do is classed office work and not strenous. Had we applied then I would just be getting certified now and would be looking at enjoying what time I have left. I want a year or two where I don't have to work anymore and force myself no matter how I'm feeling.

MY HECK you guys are so smart! Where were you all when Val and I went through this???????????