|
|
Post by jim on Oct 19, 2017 20:03:53 GMT -5
Hi peg,  |
|
|
|
Post by David on Oct 19, 2017 20:54:29 GMT -5
"Welcome Peg"
My name is David 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 you are ready please join us at the fence".
|
|
|
|
Post by lavishgail on Oct 20, 2017 0:28:32 GMT -5
Welcome, welcome, welcome!
|
|
|
|
Post by joany on Oct 20, 2017 9:34:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by peg on Oct 20, 2017 11:16:46 GMT -5
Thank you all for the wonderful welcome. I am new at this, so bare with me. I was put on oxygen in 2015, i have a concentrator at home, and tanks to get out and about. My copd they say is severe. I get infections very easily. When in hospital this past week, i was told that my carbon dioxide levels were high. I heard that last year too. I was told this week, to keep concentrator at .05 while at rest, and use my oxygen tank to move around. There has to be a better way to live than this. What is available out there, could i get a transplant, or could they take away the bad lung part to help me breath on my own, or a recoil i heard about 2 years ago. Any suggestions, i would truly love to hear, for i am really getting depressed with this life on machine and tanks, it has taken most of my freedom away from the life style i had before this. Thank you for listening.
|
|
|
|
Post by lavishgail on Oct 20, 2017 15:01:31 GMT -5
 Peg, I'm so very sorry you're going through such a very hard time! Here at our forum there is a lot if information about our lungs, and what we can ask our Doctors and perhaps things you can get idea's from. It's all in the information area if our forum. And Im so sorry as I can't think right iff the bat what its called. Pearls for oxygen, and many other informative posts. Why don't you Join us at the Fence for coffee, and chat. Always someone there can answer your questions. I'm Gail, and I'm so happy to meet you. You're not alone here, we are all very understanding and compassionate. I have Emphysema, and I also use Oxygen, as many others here do too. We are all here for you. I'm so happy you found us. In the meantime, look around, and get comfortable, and please join us all one up from here at the fence for a cuppa coffee or Tea! Welcome. Gail. |
|
|
|
Post by jarca on Oct 20, 2017 18:16:31 GMT -5
and Welcome Peg! I was diagnosed mild/moderate in 2010 and was put on 02 at night & when active at that time. I have 'progressed' to severe/verysevere and now wear 02 24/7, even just sitting at my computer. Sometimes I get so frustrated always having this tube attached to my face that I want to scream! However when I get frustrated I try to remember how wonderful I felt the 1st time I used supplemental 02! It was wondrous to be able to go out and do things without feeling like i had to stop & sit just to catch my breath. (of course now i have progressed since then so I do have to stop & rest even with 02) I do not 'retain' carbon dioxide as bad as some other people do so I am able to turn up my LPM as I need. Of course I can't just turn it up to my "active level" and leave it, so it does get frustrating having to turn my LPM up to do things & down to sit. In fact sometimes it seems so much easier to use tanks that have the regulator so easy at hand to change than the big home machine with that darn knob that i forget to turn up so often. Anyway, I have a tendency to 'talk' a lot; so welcome & do check out the other forums as there is a wealth of information on this site! for 'daily' posts & just checking in to say hi, most post on the "over the back fence" area. "general health" & "general discussions" have more detailed talk and information. Welcome again!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by David on Oct 20, 2017 18:30:03 GMT -5
Peg, there are things out there. Your pulmonary doctor will help you as time goes on.
There is a Lung Reduction surgery but I do not qualify for that since the emphysema is through out both lungs.
You can look into a lung transplant and see if you qualify. Your pulmonary doctor will guide you through that process.
I don't know if I would qualify because I have turned it down. That was my choice but I know others that have benefited from a lung transplant. Just listen to you pulmonary doctor. Mine asks me every time I go see him have I changed my mind. That is his job since there is nothing else he can do for me except send me to see if I quality for a transplant.
There are other stuff like coils and stem cell therapy but my doctor does not discuss that with me so I have no knowledge of those.
Right now I have found the right medicine that is sufficient for me right now. I have very severe emphysema. They say there are 3 types of emphysema. I asked my doctor which one I had and he said all 3. Overall I am happy and not suffering. Just very short of breath.
Take care and I wish you well 
|
|
|
|
Post by peg on Oct 20, 2017 18:31:05 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for listening to me vent. I see others are in the same situation, so that makes me feel like some else knows what i am going through. Jarca, your so fortunate you don't have to worry about your carbon dioxide levels. Do you know what the normal is, or how i can get those nasty gases out of my lungs easier. I will definately check out this whole site, i see it does have lots of information to help answer some of my concerns. You all have a good night, and thanks again for welcoming me to your group
Bye the way, how do i get to the fence for the coffee??
|
|
|
|
Post by jarca on Oct 20, 2017 19:14:23 GMT -5
Peg= at top of this page click "home"----it will take you to the main page that has "boxes" with each different forum you can read in.
I pretty much stay in the 2nd group of boxes marked "GeneraL'' , which has 7 'topic' areas you can chose from;
once you go to "home" you will see what i'm trying to explain.....
i've been here a year & I still haven't figured it all out, except the one thing i know is if you get 'lost' just click "home' at the top & you'll start over (you can't 'hurt' or change anything other than your own replies so click away
can anyone explain how to work the board better than I?
|
|
|
|
Post by jarca on Oct 20, 2017 19:24:14 GMT -5
ps. I am not sure what normal CO2 levels are, but you cannot see those yourself, it takes special test of blood to see that. the best you can do is have an oximeter (finger tester) & keep your 02 & pulse at 'normal' rates. One wants to keep their 02 level above 90% and pulse what is 'normal' for you. (i try to keep my 02 around 94% which has my pulse at about 63BPM (i've always had low pulse all my life, so ask your dr what is best for you) also, to help keep co2 down is pursed lip breathing; Pursed Lip Breathing; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pursed_lip_breathing |
|
|
|
Post by barb7330 on Oct 20, 2017 21:01:46 GMT -5
Peg. Welcome to our group. Lots of good info here....I know how you feel. I've been on oxygen for about 5 years and getting worse all the time....Anyway there is another good support group Lets talk COPD SUPPORT GROUP. The administrator is Jimmy Stover and he's really done a lot of research....Give that group a try too.... 
|
|
|
|
Post by David on Oct 20, 2017 23:16:52 GMT -5
Bye the way, how do i get to the fence for the coffee?? Go to the home page and choose Over The Back Yard Fence- Daily Meet & Greet for Coffee & Chat  |
|
|
|
Post by John on Oct 21, 2017 7:35:13 GMT -5
|
|
Peg,
Good to see you posting and asking ? 
