Welcome Alexandrac

[alexandrac]

Well, here I am, rather shell shocked to be honest as i have just been diagnosed in the last week.  I had gained some unwanted weight ( eating my feelings as I tend to do) and when walking my dogs, started to feel short of breath while going up a neighbourhood hill. I wanted to get exercising again but thought I'd better check with my doctor, get the okay. She sent me for a PFT and the results came back pretty dismal, FEV Of 44%, so serious. A quick background here - my parents were heavy smokers during the entire time I lived there, 19 years and then I smoked for 20 years, heavily. I quit 22 years ago. 22 years. Intellectually, I understand that my chances of having COPD were substantial particularly since my father, who incidentally lived to 85, had it.  That doesn't make the emotional me readily accepting of the diagnosis particularly since I had quit so long ago and have felt pretty good since then. I had gotten bronchitis yearly while smoking but not since. I rarely get sick now even staving off colds for the most part. 

My family doctor has put me on Symbicort which seems to have eased the shortness of breath although I am coughing a great deal more. I have not seen the specialist yet but that is in the works.  

So that is the background of me. I am still going through the anger, the depression, the wanting to howl at the moon. I needed to find a place where I could do just that, howl at the moon with others who have been through this so I am grateful to have found this forum.  I shall wander about. 

[John]

welcome8 Glad to have you join us . Take a look around and jump in when your ready . thumbsupde1 hug4U

[peter]

Welcome Alexandrac, My name is Peter and on behave of COPD in Canada & The World I want to extend to you a warm welcome . You will find a lot of information here. So look around and when your ready please join us @ the fence.

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[David]

Hi Alexandrac, glad you found the forum. Good people here.

I remember when I was first diagnosed with Emphysema back in 1983. Was by x-ray. A little spot. The beginning of Emphysema. I to was mad and angry.

I worked in the oilfield and got covered with crude oil 3 times in 3 years. Came down with pneumonia 3 times. Third time is when Emphysema showed up.

At the time, I figured one day they would be able to stop the progression. 30 years later I am still waiting.

I have learned to accept it for what it is. Still hoping they find the way to stop it from progressing.

[stoker55]

Welcome Alexandrac, I felt everything you were feeling when I was diagnosed at Christmas. Still feeling it and trying to deal with it. Found out that Pulmonary therapy was most helpful. Had to cut my working days down to 3 days a week. Grateful I can keep those. Seeing many different specialists because of course when they find out you have one thing wrong with you they want to find more. It is a good thing really as once this is all done I will know for sure how healthy I am or not. Take it moment to moment go ahead and cry as it does not good to hold it in. COPD runs your life now but don't let it rule. Stay as positive as possible and read up on as much as you can. You will slowly get your head round it. Takes some time and I am not all the way there yet myself. I believe the meds and info out there now is much better than before. However I do find a lot of stigma associated with this disease when you speak of it with others. They either don't know what it is or tell you it is your own fault for smoking all those years ago. That said I wouln't give up any of the way I have lived my life or will continue to. Hang in there.

[jim]