[50guy]

Been having trouble breathing over the past 6 months. I have been to a specialist and got the diagnosis, COPD, lung capacity at 86%. Life expectancy is 15 years medium. Talk about a shock. the wind has been taken out of my sails.

I'm currently on a Nebulizer 2X per day
Advair inhaler 250/50 2X perday
Sporiva inhaler 1X per day
Clairenex 1X per day
Some other pill 1 X per night
Ventolin 2X per day and as needed.

I nearly had to go to the ER last Sunday as I could not breath.
Whatever happens, I hope I can make it for 15 more. The not knowing is making me a nervous wreck. My specialist told me and my DW, it is "terminal and will progress."
Whatever happens, life has taken on a new perspective for me. I am off al my psych meds and will live life to the fullest.

Anyone else have COPD? How do you feel about it?

Best wishes......

Eric

[lynn P.]

That's very devastating news ((50guy)). Is it from smoking? So sorry to hear the bad news. You're in my thoughts and prayers

[notz]

My mother had COPD. She was older than you when diagnosed. Her prognosis was much less. She didn't quit smoking at first but got a big scare and finally did. That helped a lot.

Take your meds as directed. Follow doctor's orders. Check into other therapy that might be helpful. My mom enjoyed yoga.

I like your attitude...it is everything!

Although platitudes often are not helpful, we can only live each day. Your post is a reminder of the value of the present.

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by 50guy

Anyone else have COPD? How do you feel about it?

My mother has COPD and has been on oxygen for the last two years and was just recently been placed on oxygen 24/7 via her last hospital stay a few weeks back. She lives a normal life and takes each day she is given in stride, my mother feels as I do.... we never know how much time we were blessed with at birth so why let a medical diagnosis determine it for you.

((( HUGS ))) ~ ~ ~ ~ ((( HUGS )))

[Yoda]

I have had asthma all my life and it is my biggest health problem. Much more limiting than my mental illnesses. I used to be able to ride my horse and hike in the woods but now I have trouble just getting horse feed to the barn. I wish I could ride.

My nebulizer is my friend. My rescue inhalers have stopped working well for me so I hate to leave my house without my neb.

I, like you, am living each day to the fullest. There was a time when I did not think I would live to raise my son (long story) but each day I see his face is a good day.

[(JD)]

Make good changes in your life, and think positively... if nothing else, you'll feel better about the dx.

I was dx'd with COPD in 1981 I think.
I'd been asthmatic all my life, due to allergies (allergic to everything but clean air and clean water and cotton!)

I've had bronchitis this time since last June or July, with having been at my mom's going through the estate etc., and all the dust and smells and products that entails. I generally take an herb guarana that clears my system out of phlegm etc, but it happens to cause me muscle spasms (an allergic reaction) and my sacrum has been out so bad that I don't dare take the guarana until I can stabilize it.

Don't give up. Research and try everything you can. My last Pulmonologist quit me that year, after sending me a letter giving me 30 days to find a new one, as he didn't want my death on his record.
I never hired another.
My lung capacity is much less than yours, and for decent function I would have to weigh only 130 lbs.
You learn to spend less energy doing what you need and want to do.
You learn to breathe slowly and deeply and do things that make your lungs stronger (like swim underwater).
Make sure you seek out support groups to learn how.

I hope you feel better soon.

[AAAAA]

(((Eric))) I'm so sorry to hear that you're not feeling well.

[liljamie23]

i'm 30 and got diagnosed about a year ago. let me tell you, i quit smoking april of 09, and it helped alot. other than that and my neb. and inhalers i feel better. i have asthma too and only have had to use fast acting inhaler a few times. just try to get in better shape without over doing it, i think it may slow it down some. good luck

[Perna]

My grandmother was a 3-pack a day smoker and then got COPD. This was back in the 1970's and 80's; she lived to be 86. I have asthma, I think brought on by having to take too many (and the wrong) antibiotics after my appendix burst. I probably inherited her propensity to lung problems though :-)

Fifteen years can be a long time in health; think of cancer diagnoses 15 years ago? Who knows how long you'll live? Very scary wake up call though. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[bebop]

my grandpa had it for years! as long as I can remember. he lived a fairly long time. my husband was dx'd a number of years ago. maybe 5 or just a little more with lung capacity of 55% dr said nothing about how long he would live. personally I would take that with a grain of salt. no one knows how long we will live. take care and hang in there hon.

[50guy]

Thank you all for your encouragement and support. I quit smoking 30 years ago this July 4th. I have been asthmatic most of my life. It went away or was dormant for many years and has now returned along with chronic bronchitis. I take my meds and wear an N95 mask when working around strong chemicals. Some of this is from long time chemical and pollution exposure. I was on Okinawa for a year just downwind of the incinerator where everything was burned. We used to say "well it is a yellow day or an orange day," that was the color of the smoke we were breathing. I have more tests next Friday but, my level of stress has shot back up. I'm still not going back on Zoloft, I've been off for nearly a month now, I'm just taking Valium 5mg when needed. It seems to work best. My Dr. said he would bump it up to 10mg when necessary.
I'm feel great......working on plans to build a house and I am planning to retire in 6 and 1/2 years.

Thanks to everyone, I'll keep ya'll posted.

Eric

[ECHOES]

50guy, that must have been quite a shock to hear. I would expect that you will take that in and in time it won't feel so shocking.

They are coming up with new treatments all the time. I recently have been seeing a TV ad for a medication for COPD. That tells me that many more people are being diagnosed with COPD. That is good news because it means the diagnosis will capture the focus and attention of the medical and pharmaceutical fields, so new treatments may come along that can change prognoses.

[dymund]

Dear 50guy, I too have COPD. My Doc did not give me a time frame, but there are a lot of things you can do to help yourself feel better; such as participating in Pulmonary Rehab. Also, you might look at the Daily Strength website and take a look at their COPD site. This site has greatly helped me! If I could just get my energy back....