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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2009 1:39:07 GMT -5
:-[I have recently been diagnosed by my family physician with COPD. I was put on several puffers and antibiotics which I have since finished. I must say I was a shocked to be handed down this diagnosis as not much has been said about younger people (smokers)becoming ill with this. I have finished my antibiotics about a week ago and also my steroid puffer but I have to continue on with my other puffers. Although I have yet to be tested because of the antibiotics my breathing is still labored. I have to say I am still in shock and soooo frighted of the unknown I hope this site will help.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jun 6, 2009 6:52:41 GMT -5
Emcgoura and Welcome! I see you were up burning the midnight oil; I remember doing that when I was first diagnosed.... looking for info on this disease. I'm sure most if us here have. Kinda scary isn't it? I've gotta tell ya something though..... too many Dr's diagnose w/o doing a Spirometry or PFT test so you make darn sure he follows through with it (a test) and ask for/keep a copy for your own records. There's a LOT of info here if you use the Search tool (going back a couple of years). Also; you can learn to take control of this disease and still have a pretty darn good decent life. Please feel free to jump in anywhere anytime on any topic. Some folks check in daily at the Fence- (come pop in and have a coffee with us), or If there's a general interest item or COPD related issue you want to comment on, share or ask questions , by all means ask away.Whatever YOU are comfortable with. Don't worry about posting in the wrong area or anything; that's why we have great moderators who can move things or copy etc. I guarantee you'll be made to feel at home. Our members are very friendly, knowledgeable and quite diversified when it comes to COPD; if they don't know something they'll point you in the right direction at the very least. If you've not yet joined our parent organization/ COPD Canada Patient Network, www.copdcanada.ca/sign_up.htm Please consider it. It's open to e'one internationally and it's Free. Membership has it's benefits! There's also a LOT of info on the site; especially for the Newly Diagnosed.You're gonna be okay Emcgoura; you just have to get over this current medical hump. (Flare up/exacerbation) Also; the more "upset you are, the harder it's gonna be on your breathing so let's try and take it slow. And, the more you learn about COPD, the more empowered you'll feel. I guarantee it. You've got a lot of years ahead of you yet.... A lot of it is up to you. So; dry your eyes and jump in. You can't get your feet wet standing on the shoreline! My name's Jackie, aka Blossom. I look forward to getting to know you!
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Post by bobbioh on Jun 6, 2009 8:43:00 GMT -5
Sorry to meet this way I was also Dxed at 43 Im 47. Im very severe I do pretty good and you will to just dont let fear run your life! And dont smoke! Bopbbi
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Post by John on Jun 6, 2009 8:53:26 GMT -5
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Post by chrisw on Jun 6, 2009 11:52:12 GMT -5
Hi Emcgoura, I am sorry that you should have COPD at such a young age, but glad that you found us! There is a genetic condition that is call Alpha 1 antitrypsin defficiency that may trigger COPD at a relatively early age - you can find out more about it at the Alpha 1 foundation www.alphaone.org/ Your doctor can arrange testing (but many doctors, either because they don't know about it or because they think is is extremely rare, don't get the testing done) or you can arrange testing yourself through the Alpha 1 Foundation. There are drugs available that, at least for some people, can really slow down the progression of this disease in people with "Alpha 1". It probably goes without saying, but it really is critical that you do not smoke. Smoking is not the only cause of COPD, but it certainly is the most common, and is especially damaging for those who are diagnosed relatively young. Dogged determination is needed, and if you break down and start again then just learn from what happened and start again - practice makes perfect! You and get lots of support and answers to your question on the forum here, and there is a wealth of information at www.copdcanada.ca (one of the best COPD websites anywhere thanks to Blossom!).
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Post by susanny on Jun 7, 2009 10:41:29 GMT -5
Hi, and welcome! I'm fairly new here, but have gotten so much info and the people are the kindest! I didn't get diagnosed 'til I was 52 but know I've had COPD much longer. I was just told that I had developed asthma very late in life. If I had known I would have changed alot in my life much sooner. So if you DO have it, you are ahead of the game and will do just fine, if you follow dr.'s orders. Quit smoking, if you do, exercise (a must!), and take your meds. Eating healthy, too.
We all understand how scared you are. One day I just broke down sobbing on my husband's shoulder. I oidn't want to die! I had so much to live for, my husband, children, sisters and brother, friends. I dodn't want to die!!! Then I hit the computer and found out I have many many more years to live. Life is good again. So, have a good cry and then keep on talking with us.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2009 18:55:07 GMT -5
Hi and welcome,
Were all different, but share this bond of copd, and we support each other through good and bad times. It's okay, I had my right lung removed in 1984, I had lung cancer. I have asthma. E/copd, and I am very very active, shp, do all my own housework, try and keep up with my twin grandaughters ages 3 1/2. I cry, I get mad I get down, then I get right back up. We all understand beleive me, so check out the latest information here, talk to others and your fears will fade.
Welcome again and I look forward to getting to know you.
(HUgs) Linndie
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2009 23:16:42 GMT -5
It has been two years since I was diagnozed this month. I am still reading everything on the internet, I was obsessed with reading everything I could at the library and my husband got me a computer eighteen months ago. I must admit I am not very good on it, but am getting good at jumping to different web site and reading everthing I can. Whe I had read the side effects of the Advair that I am on it came as a big shock. It has taken me a long to to accept this. Now I had my second bone density test(the first been five years ago) I couldn't believe how much I went down. So now I am back on the computer and trying to find out all the information I can. My Docter is not very helpful, she is short and to the point and then I am out of there and she has another patient. She said I have Osteoporosis and I asked her for a copy of the scan which the receptionist copied for me. It said I have Osteopenic. I noticed on one web site it said if you are skinny and small boned that you have more chance of getting Osteoporosis. Well I weigh 110 pounds which I have weighed since I was sixteen years old and I eat all the time, it is my passion. I am five feet five inches tall as I have been since age sixteen, I have never broken a bone but used to play basketball, rollerblade and play baseball. I still rollerblade and took up boxing with my youngest son who is 48 years old a few years ago. I love to walk and walk every where, like one to two hours a day if I don't have any other obligations. I take my dog with me. I lift weight with my grandson but not so much anymore. I guess this is just something that goes with this disease. I get out of breath when I am on the treadmill if I go any faster than 2.5. I was told I could use my rescue inhaler this was by my oldest son (who is a GP) but I have not used it since I have been on Advair. My Doctor said I shouldn't be doing so much and should slow down but then if I am not doing anything I start thinking about this disease. I have not smoked since 2000' but still get cravings and try to do something else. I was surprised that so many young people have this disease, as I am a senior almost seventy. Well enough rambling. Can you explain what Paul was talking about when he said he was going to Switzerland? Bee form Alberta
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Post by susanny on Sept 8, 2009 23:57:07 GMT -5
Welcome, Bee.
It is nice to meet you. My, you are one active woman! You should be proud of all that you are able to do. It sounds like you are doing all the right things for both your COPD and osteoporosis. I have them both, as well. COPD was diagnosed in 2006 at 52, osteopenia around the same time, but now is 'porosis. I probably would have gotten the osteoporosis even if I never took a steroid. I am, like you, thin boned, and it runs in my family. You are doing the weight bearing exercises and weights, which is what is recommended. What about treatment? Has your dr. put you on any medication for it? Also, I'm sure you know how important your diet is and supplemental calcium and Vit. D.
If you are doing all this walking, etc. and are able to breathe without needing a rescue inhaler, you are doing superbly. Your GP son must be very proud of you. As far as I can see, you are doing all the right things.
The only reason I would agree with anything at all your dr. said about slowing down is to say to be careful. I'm sure your son could tell you how easy it is to break a hip by falling. You sound like a very coordinated person by the activities you do, but it just takes a little slip to fall. I've broken ribs just by reaching out to flip a light switch, and by coughing hard when I had bronchitis. It's very painful and slow to heal. So perhaps your dr. is worried something like this might happen to you. I certainly would not stop the exercise program you have going, just be careful.
Re: treadmill. My dr. isn't worried about how fast I walk on it. His goal for me was to start at 5 mins. and then get me up to 30-45 mins. of time walking, didn't care how fast it was, but wanted me to speed up every 5 mins. for a couple of minutes and then go back to regular speed. Once I got up to the time desired (45 mins.), he suggested increasing the speed slowly over time. You're way ahead of this game by the distance and timing aspects. You just need to slow down on the speed so it doesn't make breathing difficult. Do you have an oximeter, by the way? That is the contraption the dr. puts on your finger that tells your O2 level and pulse rate. If you use it while you are exercising you can keep track at how well your body is handling it. For example, you don't want your O2 level to go below 89, at the very lowest. If you find you are falling that low it means you need to take a break until it you get back into the 90's.
I'm going to let someone else handle the "Paul" question.
Hope to hear from you again, Bee. Take care, Sue
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Post by John on Sept 9, 2009 5:35:51 GMT -5
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Sept 9, 2009 6:55:10 GMT -5
Hi Bee; glad to see you! I couldn't agree with Sue more. You're doing the right things, staying active (mentally physically), the whole nine yards. Good for you! Shoot for endurance, slowly pushing yourself a bit, but not the 100 yard dash. As for slowing down your Dr suggested could very well be as Sue was saying (becasue of the chance of breaking something) unless you have another underlying medical condition?
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Post by redbird on Sept 9, 2009 20:24:48 GMT -5
I was recently diagnosed as well. Can't say that it came as any shock - I asked for the spirometry test. Can't say it was any great shock when the results came back as severe. I also have no clear idea as to why I'm writing. Not exactly your warm and cuddly type. Got the three puffer gig going. Juggling that is fun. This one twice a day, that one four times a day and the other when the first two don't cut it. Toddled off to the dietician the other day (underweight) and while I get the whole eat well to try to head off infections and flares, its still an "Excuse me, Buffy" thing to me. In deference to you, I won't expand on that thought provess. The thing that aggravates me the most (outside of not being able to do what I could do not a year ago) is the total and complete upheaval of my life and life style. Stop doing what I done for 35 years and start doing what I haven't done for 35 years. How do you spell the raspberry sound? In capitals?
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Post by spike99 on Sept 9, 2009 22:49:03 GMT -5
Hi emcgoura (and Bee).
What's with that age 43 number? Guess its true at after 40, our bodies start to fall apart. At age 42, my doctor told me to investigate COPD - because it was pounding on my lungs. At that time, I smoked and couldn't even walk across Sears parking lot. SOB, sore lungs and sore lower stomach area. I had to take 3 rest sessions and my wife kept asking if she should call an ambulance. That's how bad my body was - at that point in time. After finding this board and help with Rosemary (who I still miss today), I was able to stop smoking, dropped 60 lbs and drive my body back into "proper fitness" condition. It took 4 years but I did it. As many already implied, we cannot change the past. But, we can change each of our futures. Do implement proper eating, more "efficient" exercises and where possible, strive towards a higher quality of life. re: More nightly sleep, reduction of stress, more "fun times" with others, etc. etc. Alway focus on goal to STOP (as a minimum "slow down") COPD within your body. It can be done. Many on this forum are proof of it. If wondering, I'm now focusing on STOP (as a minimum "slow down") T2 Diabetes in my body. But that's a different battle - for a different forum.
Glad you found us. And, hoping we can help drive towards your new goals as well.
.
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Post by sandy07 on Sept 10, 2009 0:00:32 GMT -5
Redbird...We've all had the upheaval of our lives because of COPD.....or cancer...or diabetes or ALL of it ALL at the same time no less. We've decided to learn and change our ways so that we can live longer. I was diagnosed 6 yrs. ago. Am at "severe" stage. I'm building myself up on treadmill and am still able to do most things I used to do. Going on a holiday to mountains in Colorado and worried about altitude sickness and oxygen levels so will be taking oxygen temporarily..but life is much the same as it has been for the last 30 yrs. of my life..Age has caused most of my slowing down. If you read the posts you'll see most of us carry on with our lives. I even read someone went white water rafting with oxygen strapped on her back. So...what you do with your life from now on is up to you.. When I first started on puffers they made me feel 100% better. If yours aren't doing that maybe you need to return to the doctor to change something. Years from now the puffers may only make you feel 75% better.But don't worry about that now. Just quit smoking to help stop the progression. You'll read that some were diagnosed over 25 yrs. ago and are still here. COPD is not a death sentence. You say "what you haven't done for 35 yrs." Would that be ..eat well and exercise? There will be bumps along the road but you'll bounce back faster if you're muscles are in good shape. Hang out on this forum and you'll notice how much physical activity (otherwise known as)...chasing grandchildren around the store..trekking the hills..digging and gardening. Yes, we are a busy bunch here. Even find time to get on the treadmill or go for a walk. If you are still having trouble and are short of breath a lot of folks find that because of COPD they get more allergies. You might want to get that checked out. I know I have allergies to animals I never had bedore..as well as mould (especially snow mould) and tree pollen. Glad you posted and if you have any specific questions someone will always be able to get an answer. This forum has given me the information I need to be able to ask my doctor knowledgable questions. He's always surprised how much I know. I think I'm teaching him well... If you get up in the morning and smile at yourself in the mirror you will feel better all day. Try it. Good luck..Sandy
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