Welcome Sunset!

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

We're so glad you joined! Please feel free to look around, read, use the search tool, and whenever you're ready..... just jump right in and start typing!

Maybe you could tell us a bit about yourself?

The members here are just great; no other way to put it. (Not that I'm biased ) They're quite diversified and willing to help, support, answer questions.... the whole nine yeards.

Maybe you'll pop in at "Over the Fence", have a java and tell us how your day is going!

My name is Jackie; aka Blossom. I look for ward to getting to know you!

[susanny]

Hi, and welcome, Sunset. Hope you find this to be a site worth returning to over and over again. It's a great place for quality info and quality friendship, if wanted. Hope to see you around.

[sask5]

Hi and welcome from Saskatchewan, Canada.

[aero63]

Hi
Glad that you joined. Lots of friendly and knowledgeable people here willingly to in whatever way they can.

[John]

[bobbioh]

welcome jump in anywhere bobbi

[Deleted]

Aug 25, 2010 11:06:47 GMT -5 bobbioh said:

welcome jump in anywhere bobbi

I thank you all more than you can ever ever know. I try, when I am in bed resting to sleep but then I get up. I walk every day and am reading (studying) a book on positive self talk. I have gone for help and now a friend (I am so lucky to have her) is taking me to a counselor who between she and I will make a plan for me staying or leaving. I'm so sorry to dump on you the first you meet me. I actually have a really good sense of humor.

Someone asked what other illnesses I have: osteoarthritis,chronic migraines, Irritable Bowel, Depression with anxiety,chronic fatique syndrome, fibromyalgia, muscular painful spasms and thats all I can think of and that's enough to whine about. Hopefully when the nausea goes away I will feel better enough to approach my dr and find out what the scoop is and request the test and fill out form you have. I've learned finally to go on but sometimes things pull to hard at your heart.

So thank you for your loving caring

[susanny]

Life is hard sometimes, isn't it? But it's easier to 'let it all out' to strangers, I think. I know I am more honest here than with my physical family. I don't know if that is always the best thing....but it's definitely easier on me. I am glad you are going to counseling with your friend. It sounds like you have a good start to finding out who you are and what you want/need.

I have something else I want to address after reading your post about your other illnesses. I have a daughter who has the same symptoms as you, minus the osteoarthritis and anxiety, who just had an MRI for her migraines and dizziness. While searching the internet for info on the MRI findings she came across a link for celiac disease. So of course she clicked on it. She was surprised to find out what it is and what the symptoms are for it, and even more surprised to find she fit the bill, so to speak. So for the last week and a half she has lived on a gluten-free diet, which just means no wheat products or processed foods. (ie, bread, pasta, pizza, cereal, etc..) She called me after her 1st day and said for the first time she wasn't sick to her stomach after her first meal and continuing until bedtime. I've received phone calls and emails all this past week raving about how good she feels. No migraines, no body aches, no stomach aches, and she said when she wakes up in the morning she feels really awake for the first time since she can remember. She said she used to have to drink energy drinks and pop all day to keep awake and alert and doesn't need them any more. And the irritable bowel problems are completely resolved. All this in a little over a week. (she's 34, so it's been a long time since she's felt good.) Anyways, you reminded me of her and I thought, hmmm, I wonder if Sunset wouldn't be interested in looking into something like this? I have a lot of the same problems as my daughter and am seriously considering trying it out myself. I know she's after me to do it. I think when I go grocery shopping this week I'll plan my week around eating gluten-free and see if it doesn't make a difference. If it does, then I'll know I'm on to something. There is a medical test for it, a blood test to see if it's a possibility and a biopsy of the small intestine to confirm it. Her dr. told her to just try the diet and see what happens b/4 going in for testing, and I know she's not going to bother with the testing. If a person has it really bad for a long time it can do major damage to the small intestine, so it's good to find out sooner rather than later if you have it. And you can acquire it as an adult, too. I'd thought you had to be born with it.

Oh well, sorry to rattle on, but wanted to pass the info on to you. Thank you for coming back and letting us know how you are doing. Anything I can do to help, just ask!
Sue

[Deleted]

Hi Sunset,

Think everyone said what I am feeling, you have come to the best place on the Internet, great support here and wonderful people and great Information on Copd. So many of us battle other things, copd seems to be just one of them. The most Important thing is you! I am able to say things here, that I don't even tell my family, not because it's a forum, but because I know people here do not judge me, they try and help. Sometimes I am so depressed I don't post, but try and read here everyday. I also like to think I'm not dying of COPD, I'm living with it,sometimes it's all the in between things that effect us the most. I hope you feel better, but most of all I wish you peace in your heart. Take care of yourself. ((((((( hugs)))))) Linndie

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2010 6:35:57 GMT -5 @linndie said:

Hi Sunset,

Think everyone said what I am feeling, you have come to the best place on the Internet, great support here and wonderful people and great Information on Copd. So many of us battle other things, copd seems to be just one of them. The most Important thing is you! I am able to say things here, that I don't even tell my family, not because it's a forum, but because I know people here do not judge me, they try and help. Sometimes I am so depressed I don't post, but try and read here everyday. I also like to think I'm not dying of COPD, I'm living with it,sometimes it's all the in between things that effect us the most. I hope you feel better, but most of all I wish you peace in your heart. Take care of yourself. ((((((( hugs)))))) Linndie

[Deleted]

It is nice to meet you!!!!!!!!!!!! i have so much going on that i am too tired to get into it. Thank you everyone for being there. I am alone on the ship.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Not on this ship Sunset........ no one's alone.

[Deleted]

were all on the same ship, just different seats.

I will tell you something sunset, there was a period where i thought about killng myself, I told no one, no one had a clue, when I am down really down i can count on the people here more than anyplace else. You are never alone, I have even met a couple of people from this forum, they have been to my home here in Florida. Wonderful caring group who have saved my sanity a few times. I didn't really want to die, I just wanted the pain and being sick to go away, I try and savor every minute i have left on this earth, I hope we can all get to know you and you get to know us too. So many people here are going through so much, it makes you relilze your not alone and it could be worse. Have agreat day,((((((((((Linndie)))))))))))

[Deleted]

Sunset, I have a saying,

If your not happy then get happy, in other words if you are miserable in a relationship, or parts of your life then change it. You cannot change anyone but yourself, and you deserve nothing but the best that life has to offer, I hope seeing a professional helps you, your so lucky to have a friend who will help you, I can tell you are a lovely person. Take control of the things you can, mabey your husband will go talk to someone with you? Every day your feet hit the floor, tell yourself this is the day I take control, smile put on some music, sit quietly but don't dwell on the things wrong, embrace the good things in your life, you are the most important person in your life! Love the good and dump the baggage, just be happy. when I get really down i think of all the good things in my life, and think of people who have little food, living on the streets, shelters no medical Insurance ect, then i think what my problems seem like, a grain of sand on this beach called life. I still get down beleive me and I have been through a lot like everyone else, I'm going to go have some Ice cream because I can!

[Deleted]

You must be a gem. The people in my house say this is more like a symptomatic disease ie: if you have asthma you have copd. That is the biggest question in my mind. I have to know where to go (Marraige - He's hurt me so much I love him for the good years, and they were wonderful, but it, in that way is gone. I wish I was like you and had such a wonderful positive attitude. I lay down and right away my mind starts to go. I'm trying hard to reprogram it or I won't survive. Right now I have a flare up of IBS and I think copd - fever coughing yellow phlegm. I don't know what to think. You inspire me. I wish I could print your message and read it every day. Thank you and may God bless you for blessing me with your message.

[Deleted]

Hi everyone. I know I am new and you don't know me but I hope we can form some friendships. Goodnight everyone. May u have a good morning. I know mine will be up to bathroom once at 5 then again at 7 then again and again and feel sick all day. Sounds real "coo" eh ? Yeah, I am Canadian so you can laugh at my "ehs." So I really do know how hard mornings can be. Please pray for a managable one for me. I have no help anymore. "It's all in my head!" I don't mean to whine just try and in a light way let you know my circumstances. May God bless you alll for your info, good hearts, kind souls and right down dirty to facts.
Goodnight

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Sunset.....

Please see your Dr. as soon as possible..... if you're having an exacerbation you need to get on top of it right away. When in doubt; check it out.

((((((Hugs)))))

[susanny]

Hey there, Sunset, Yeah, Blossom's right. If you have a fever and coughing up yellow phlegm you have an infection and need to see the doctor pronto! Don't wait, call today. He'll probably give you an antibiotic and some prednisone. So, don't horse around with this one, ok? Let us know that you called!

By the way, come on over to the fence and join us every day for a chat. That's where we all meet and talk about our day. good, bad, or otherwise, .

[Deleted]

Please listen to Jackie and Sue, go to the Dr. This can be very serious, take care of you.

Like Sue said come to the fence and get to kno0w everyone.

[Deleted]

I spent Sat. night in hospital. It is getting so hard to look after myself. From either a bowel infection or irritable bowel, I am so sick my bowel has prolapsed. Went to my Dr. Monday and told him I thought I was dying and finally someone believed me. I am on 2 kinds of puffers now and an antibiotic in case the bowel is infected and for the COPD. I have had this docyor for more than 20 years and when I asked to please get in they let me. He is sending for a lung test toi see what stage I am at. I am exhausted coughing up phlegm every am for 4 hours. Now my husband says he believes how sick I am.................What can I say. People say leave. I don't want to be in a nursing home yet, our small house is surrounded by beauty. I hate going to bed at night because I know what the morning will be like. Does the coughing up (retching) phlegm last forever. Now because of the prolapse I have to have major surgery. Is there any thing that I should know about anaesthesia (sp?) Thank you all for the warnings. I'm learning slowly but too weak all day to go into it. He also said I probably have diverticulitis which means the outside of my bowel will be operated on too. This is a secret but I want you to understand. Two years my husband brought his best friend in cuz he was sick and to spy on our marraige. He was wise and made me see alot clearly and recognized the war zone this house was. Over 1 and a half years I came to care deeply for him but it can't go beyond that; sleep by myself for a long time now and I get lonely but its hard cuz I can't let him know and I know he has a woman he loves on the net. All feelings are ok. It's what you do with them but its hard but I care enough about his friendship that I cope. Sometimes when I am well enough, I go down to the river on the path through the woods to the river. That's where I talk to God, cry, meditate or just get away cuz angry. I asked my dr. if there were short term care places just until you get well enough to manage on your own. NOPE Pray for strength in my body please to keep up the regimen of meds and food and my IBS. God bless you all. One of these times we'll have a fun chat.
Warm regards,
Kathryn

[Deleted]

Kathryn, (Sunset)

First take care of your health Issues, get your self well , then go talk to someone, does this friend care for you too? It must be painful, and to be Ill and have feeling for someone too, but first and foremost take care of yourself, you are worth so much more than you think. You deserve to be happy but that starts within yourself. mentally,emotionally and physcially too.

Put your health and self first, hope you fell better soon. Linndie

[susanny]

Ah, Kathryn, a real name finally! You, my dear, have so much going on. No small wonder your mind is going in circles. I can't help you with your emotional place, wish I had all the answers. Are you still talking with that counselor with that friend of yours? That would be something I'd continue and be sure to let that person know all that you've shared here. He/she is more equipped to give advice on something I have no experience with.

I can offer a suggestion for the morning congestion, however. It is something I've been dealing with, as well. It will offer some help while you wait to get your tests from the lung dr. At that time, if your dr. says you have COPD, you will more than likely be given some prescription help, and we'll address that when the time comes. For now, you need something to loosen up and cough out the phlegm in the morning. Personally, I take Mucinex 600 mgs. extend tabs, 2 of them twice a day. But I believe it's not available in Canada. What is available to you is the med that is in the Mucinex, which is guaifenesin. It is found in various cough medications, like Robitussin, and also in pill form. I have a bottle here that is 400 mgs, but it's not extend tabs. The directions say to take one to two every 4 hours. I'd suggest taking it before bed and again in the morning as soon as you wake up. Even better, set your alarm and take a couple of them about 2 hours before you really get up. This way they've had a chance to get to work. Do you have a rescue inhaler? I'd use the inhaler at the same time as you'd take those pills before you get up. That's what I do. I set my alarm for 6:30, use my inhaler and take a couple of different meds I need, then go back to sleep 'til 8:30. When I get up, everything is loosened up and coughs up very easily. I used to struggle in the mornings but don't have that problem since doing this. I also drink a lot of water every day, a pitcher full, in addition to a cup of hot chocolate in the AM and MAYBE, for a treat, I'll have a small can of soda in the evening. Not so much anymore though since I've been diagnosed as being diabetic recently.

Do you know when your surgery will be? It would behoove you to not smoke for at least the week before, better yet, don't smoke anymore. It will not only make it easier with the anesthesia, but also for healing. Smokers don't heal as well or fast.

Good luck, let us know what's going on. I wish you a good night's rest!
Sue

[Deleted]

How are you doing Sunset?

I hope you are felling better. The things I wrote I try and abide by, it is so diffucult sometimes, we all have our ups and downs. I hope you can get your IBS under control, stress is not good for you. I have been thinking about you and if you ever need anything you can contact me.

Linndie

[Deleted]

You are so kind. I feel better today. Have made up my mind to end this marraige. I found a workbook from Canmore pain clinic when I was there for 3 weeks (In mountains - beautiful.) All the same emotions and hurts were there from 2003 and being lonely. I've tried for 7 years to fix things and they are still the same and you're right. My daughters wedding is on Oct 30. I have made it my job to avoid all stress and get better emotionally and Copdwise. There is a clock ticking now and I don't want to spend the rest of my life miserable. I am working hard at this. I got out the workbook from Canmore and am studying it (alot of cognitive therapy involved) and reading a book on positive self-talk and giving it alot of attention and I can get a phone app't if necessary with my counselor. I am hanging in and waiting for stuff from ebay for setting up a wedding scrapbook. She just announced this event. I have something to work for and look forward to being kept busy making scrapbook. I've done the Dr. thing and don't wait for anything. I do it myself. Boy have things changed healthwise except prolapsed bowel and bladder but if I feel better those will become only inconveniences. It is very hard to clear bowels though. Things are tough all over, eh? Gotta laugh to cope.

Be well,
Fond regards
sunset

[susanny]

You do sound better, Kathrine. A plan always makes the difference, gives us direction. There's nothing worse than flailing out brain-wise and not knowing where we're going or what we're doing in. A wedding sounds like a great diversion, too! Wow, I remember my daughter's. It was a simple wedding, but seems like there was a lot to do. Showers, caterers, dresses, etc.. Scrapbook sounds like a great idea. Have fun, and keep at your workbook. It'll help you stay grounded.

Sue

[Deleted]

Hi Sunset,

I am so happy, you at least seem to be on the right tract, the tract you choose. Just remember you are the most important person in your life. I wish I could give you a hug, or share a cup of tea or coffee and just chat with you. Sometimes all we need is an ear and heart to listen to us, to vent and not be judged. I am sorry yout marriage is ending, when that door closes another door will open, through that door I hope you step into a peaceful state of mind. Your workbook sounds like a postive way for you to regain some confindence and releize our self value. And a wedding to plan, hope that is fun and takes your mind off your worries.
Be good to yourself! And smile:)
((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))) Linndie

[Deleted]

Thank you for your kind kind and uplifting words. You are a gem. Hey at 55 with long gray hair and a now slim body, I got a smile and a wave from some good looking guy in a car that drove by while I was waiting for my friend to pick me up from Chiro. Chiro saiu I am doing really well considering the horrid 8 months it's been.

You know I was reading the automatic thoughts charts and asssertiveness charts (I haven't got my glasses on so excuse errors) and it was from 2003 when at Pain Clinic in Canmore, Alberta. Exact same problems with spouse as now. I figure 7 years 2003-2010 is long enough to work on something that won't change. Hey, if you have any cues about cutting phlegm on just regular days I could use them. I am using lemon and honey right now in hot water as irritable bowel won't tolerate anything but water and gatorade.

Bye for now. It would be nice to be in the same neighborhood and exchange conversation etc. I'lll just keep on here so you get to know me.

Nothing else new but hope you are very well and happy. I don't have to plan the wedding thank goodness! My daughter is 32 and her dad (moneybags but cheap) is putting in for the wedding to help them out after Jen asked him to. I'll be alone at wedding so hope I don't have to sit with him. Married him too young - trying to get out of home if hindsight really is clearer.

Talk to you later and thank you for your wonderful response to my post again,
Sunset (Kathryn.)

[Deleted]

;Thank you for best wishes and yes it is a great diversion. I've been on ebay buying supplies. Couldn't get out to shop bit today I got assertive and just asked husband for car keys and drove. 1st time in more than 2 years. I was on morphine so I did not drive thinking they'd give me a DUI and I could see certain of my senses were impaired so I just voluntarily did not drive. This has left me very dependent on husb. but now I can get places myself. He only works `1 blk away so I'll have to walk there but so what I can walk in woods in evening. I will so miss my walks and how the beauty of the path has reaffirmed my faith in God and the beauty is overwhelming. There are some great places to meditate. Hardly any people go there so I have the thing all to myself so I can talk out loud, sing or do what the heck I wanted. Today I was out there at 7:30 a.m. in my housecoat. Country small town. What can I say. I will make it. I am ignoring leaving and all that as much as possible as I have to work too hard to keep up with everything else. Who knows? Maybe I won't have a roof over my head if "he" doesn't pay the mortgage. This is tough but I'd rather be sick and alone than sick and alone and miserable because someone else I do whatever I can for is treating me self-righteously and like chit. I'll do it. You can just tell me to suck it up if you see me on here and I am whining !!!!!!!!!

Gotta go.
Bye for now,
Kathryn

[Deleted]

You can rant & rave, cry get mad whine, were all here for each other.

We go through some similar things but were all different in so many ways, and each has had our bags of rocks to lug up hill. We/I are here for you any time. I say " YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!" Drive, hey........... go get some Ice cram, naw......... go get a bottle of wine and relax, breathe in slow and slowly let it out, get yourself strong, mentally, emotionally, and psychially, and remember your the most Important person in your life~ Linndie