New to COPD - my name is Sue :)

[Deleted]

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. The Dr. did not say COPD until I was on my way out the door and I asked him "so I dont have COPD then?" "oh yes" he said, "very mild" "partially reversable". Right. So like all of you I am sure I hit the Google button and scared myself to death thank you very much!

I am seeing my GP this week with a long list. I do feel all alone in this though, very lonely and not quite sure exactly where to put myself at the moment. Not even sure if my husband will be taking this trip with me either so, I am a planner and making plans but not quite sure where to start

Anyway, on that cheery note, I am Canadian living abroad in Dubai UAE at the moment. The COPD care here is a bit behind Canada I fear so thought it would be a good idea to start with the wonderful Canadian group in case I find my hinny heading home . I have buckets of reading to do, so much to digest and have to stop reading about 'the end of the story' which scares me the most ......darn, there I go again

so, Hi there

[bobbioh]

Sueb Nice too meet you. First off relax. The key word in you DX is MILD. Congrats on that. Do you smoke ? If you do the first thing is to STOP! And try to stay away from the end posts your mild chances are COPD wont kill you till your 90. But read read read You will learn how important exercise is and diet. And getting to the Dr the first sign of infection. Im 47 and have what they call end stage 28% Was Dxed 2 yrs ago. I baby sit my toddler grandson. You will do fine. Again Glad to meet you. And Welcome Bobbi

[Deleted]

thank you Bobbie . I quit smoking 2 years ago after smoking for 42 years and my parents were heavy smokers as well .I planned my qui t and read read read so I will get back in the loop.for this......so, I should not be surprised but you always hope it wont be you. Thanks for the 'relax' I poured a glass of wine. (I can do that? right?)

[LindaNY]

Hi Sue and welcome. As Bobbi said, this isn't a death sentence.
The important things to remember:
Find a good Pulmonologist/Respirologist and get on a regime of proper meds.
Exercise as much as you can and do it every day.
My Pulmonologist said walking is the absolute best thing we can do for ourselves.
Get some light hand weights and start working on your upper body strength.
At the first sign of a chest infection, be sure to start antibiotics .
Oh yes, and have that wine. I enjoy a couple of glasses every night.

[cheryl]

[John]

Hi Sue & WELCOME I like Bobbi am @ 29% fev1 I am doing anything and every thing I want too maybe a little slower than before dx 3 yrs ago Your going to be ok

[aero63]

Welcome Sue
The advice you have been given so far is great. And, do some research as you have been doing. You have been diagnosed at the mild stage, so that is one very good thing.

[cocojax]

Hi Sue so glad you could join us here at Copd in Canada
( philns.proboards46.com/index.cgi) our interactive forum,
we have a great group here, made up of people Living with Copd,
Carefgivers, Family Members etc.,
If you have any questions or concerns we will certainly try and find the answers for you.
Please feel comfortable to join in anytime.



COPD CANADA Patient Network ( www.copdcanada.ca )
is our Parent Website, A Federally incorporated, registered Charitable Organization,
made up of, and run by, Canadians "living with" COPD,filled with Great Information,
our free sign up is located here ( www.copdcanada.ca/sign_up.htm )



My name is CoCojax (aka Ellen)
Welcome To Our Group!

[Deleted]

thanks so much for the replies. It is very appreciated. I have a question. Does mild not progress to very bad? I just stay in the mild stage longer? I am trying to find out if I take good care of myself, lose 30lbs, progress from 45 min brisk walk/day to 45 min walk/run (thats a good thing, I can do that?? with time?) try and do everything right, I will progress slower. I am just so sad reading about some of the people who have such a hard time breathing and knowing one day that will be me ....oh dear, now I sound so selfish I am afraid, does everyone feel afraid? or will this pass and I will just get on with it again? I find it scary that I have trouble breathing the 1st 15 min, then it is like my lungs warm up and I am ok.....sorry, this was to be a intro and I am going on and on.....I will read more and find the answers

I am sorry, there will alot of questions because I have been trying to find out things but have not been able to find answers

So, thanks people for the replies

[cocojax]

Hi Sue, no you are not selfish, we all feel like that at times...exercising, eating right, staying away from ill people, not smoking, generally staying away from your triggers will certainly help you maintain...I am no Dr. but certainly we have people on here that have maintained...It certainly is a lot to take in all at once...laughing is one of the best feelings in the world, I truly try and have the outlook on life that I have a lot to live for and my cup is full...Hope this helps and certainly do not feel guilty, you have absolutely no reason to...

[chrisw]

Hi Sue,
You have probable already worn out poor Mr Google

But if you haven't come across it already, there is a good diagram of typical COPD progression at www.copdx.org.au/guidelines/c_aetiology_history.asp

Remember that this is only typical and it can go either better or worse than shown here. However you can put yourself on the graph and see just what the progression typically might be. I would guess from what you have said that your FEV1 is about 75%, but if you have had a lung function test you will know what it is( and being a guy I am NOT going to guess where you would be on the other scale). but I dont think you will find it looks quite so scary.

Lung function will decline over time - it does for everyone - but if you do the right things (enough exercise to get you breathing hard for 30 - 45 min per day (you already seem to be doing that), quit smoking (you have done that) and eating well (obese is bad, better a LITTLE overweight but avoid the skinny look - NOT good for COPDers) and make sure the diet includes a good selection of vitamin supplements) then you have an excellent chance of making that diagram look waay too pessimistic