A little background

[rickster2001]

Hi all, My name is Rick and I am new to this forum. I am 58 years old, live in Edmonton, Alberta and have been diagnosed with COPD about 11 years ago. I have smoked since 15 and spent 10 years spraying lacquer with no mask in the 80's(they didn’t decide it was not good for you until I did not have to do it anymore). So, my copd had a good start from there and then was made to get worse by continuing to smoke. For the first few years I did not take any meds, nor did I do anything else as I felt pretty good. Time went by and eventually I had to start taking something, so I ended up using Advair and 2 inhalers. Currently I use Advair and Spiriva and Ventolin as rescue. That did good for quite a few years, however, I did not quit smoking. I did not have any hospitalizations until Feb of 2010 when I landed in emergency. Really, that should have wakened me, but it didn't, I was in there for 5 days, did not smoke and actually felt quite good at discharge. Well, guess what the first thing I did when I got out and on the way home, you, you guessed it, I smoked, but I felt it was ok ass I had a resolution to cut down. Well, I did, went from 20+ a day to 4-5!. Was put on home o2 as my o2 level was 54 when I went in, a cause as I later found out for concern. So, I used the o2 at home, but decided that I really didn’t need it at work, so from 6 until 4:30 I did not have it at work (pride working there!). It was ok for awhile, but the inevitable happened, yep, smoking escalated and as it did (to about 10-15/day) things started getting worse and worse. I was still not going to give in, as hey, it was ok all this time, I must be getting a cold or something, so I just let it go and carried on in my ignorant bliss. I should note at this time that coming out of the hospital I was cautioned to quit, but really was give a clear understand of what was going on and how oxygen played such an important part in my well being.(Wow, and I was going to keep his short! ). Time went on and I was steadily feeling worse and worse, unable to do all the normal things for myself, resting part way to my car to get my breath etc etc etc. It should probably be noted that I never was a Doc friendly person, usually waited till really had to go before I did, and this time was no different. So, being barely able to function and feeling that I may have a cold, or worse, I decided it was time to see the Doc. I did that and he put me on Prednisone. Did that fix all, nooo, I was about to feel all , or most of the side effects that are not explained by anyone and that you don’t take the time to investigate when feeling as crappy as I was. Without going into too much detail, it was major anxiety, disorientation etc(if interested check on the web, you will see). So, now I was living in hell at home, but my mind was telling me I should be feeling better. I did not go back to work since the second day of being on it and after about 7 days of craziness, missed appts, decided it was time, once again to see the Doc. Well, that didn’t happen, as when my brother picked me up to take me (couldn’t even drive by then), we went a block and I told him to take me to emergency. He did that and thus my second hospitalization in under 4 months.
All of the things I learned and the experiences there have basically changed my life now, I will be happy to share, but I realize this is a forum and I have already been very verbose. If any of you want I will be happy to share with you what I have leaned and post a follow-up to this one.. Suffice to say that at the time of this writing I am doing well and anticipating returning to work on the 19th. Of note, is the COPD website and all the info and links associated with it, they are great and I do tell all about it, not just those with COPD, but for those that have to deal with it. I hope this finds you all feeling well and happy. If you want further info, feel free to email me at [e-mail].

[sandy07]

Welcome to the group Rickster. Your story sounds like many others. The details may be different but most of us have been thru a lot of it. If you've been reading you'll see our site admin. lady is currently in the hospital. We hope to have her back soon.

So...have you quit smoking then?

Make sure to exercise and get in to a rehab if you can. Edmonton has some..too far for me to go. Exercise will keep you going.

If you've been visiting this site you know we talk about all sorts of things. If you have questions feel free to post them.

[susanny]

Hey, Rick (I can call you Rick, can I not?) Boy, you sure have had some time of it this year. I am glad that you are feeling much better. Smoking is so d**n evil, but so friggin good that it's hard to quit them. I feel pretty sure you're done with them now. If you slip, don't panic, just reach out and we'll be there for you.

What kind of work are you doing now? Is it something that makes wearing O2 hard to do the job? I commend you for continuing working in spite COPD and needing O2. Tough man, as long as you aren't damaging yourself by not wearing it when you should be. Sounds like the hospital informed you pretty well on how detrimental O2 is to you and what could happen if you don't wear it. Pride and vanity kept me from wearing it in public for quite a while, but now it's no biggie. For that matter, I didn't even want to wear it around my husband. I didn't like him looking at me... (remember as a kid saying, "mom, he's looking at me! Make him stop!" ) I didn't like people looking at me when out, either, but now I notice that people don't really look anyway. If they do, I just smile at them.

Don't think twice about whether or not you 'talk' too much here. You're 'looking' at a major offender here. Nobody has complained yet or asked me to keep it short, TG. I wouldn't know how. This one's going to be a short now, actually, as I am falling asleep while typing. Time for bed.

Write back and often. We'll be glad to offer any of our experiences or be glad to listen to your words.

Sue

[John]

Hi Rick : Good to see you join in .Thanks for letting us into your life . If you don't want ever to feel alone again with copd you have come to the right place . Welcome & try to stay stopped & if you can't Your not alone. I quit smoking 4 years ago . It took me ten years & many fault stops . But this time I've stayed stopped because I'd rather breath than smoke . Glad to have you on board.