[Ripose]

COPD has had a significant impact on my mental health so I figured I would start this thread with a post I made about COPD on another thread. Dying slowly and being acutely aware of it really sucks guys.

Plus November is COPD awareness month.

COPD is now the third leading causing of death and most people don't even know what it is!

For those of you who don't know:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is lung disease comprised of two distinct elements; Chronic bronchitis and emphysema, however many would consider asthma to be under the realm of COPD as well.

People with COPD are under much stigma by both people in general AND the medical profession; they view it as "You chose to die this way." What a load of crap. Most of you on this site know what stigma is like, so if you can, help the people with COPD to overcome their stigma. Chances are very high you know someone affected by this serious/chronic/terminal illness!

There is tons of information about COPD if you just Google it.

[kaliope]

thanks for the info

[Angelique67]

It's terrifying. Knowing death can be as close as my next bad cold or flu.

[Ripose]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

It's terrifying. Knowing death can be as close as my next bad cold or flu.

I never though about it that way, but I guess it is very true. I almost died when I got pneumonia a few years ago.

Don't forget to get your pneumonia & flu shots.

Have any of you suffered much undue mental stress because of COPD or been treated differently because of it?

[Angelique67]

I think about it many wee hours when I wake up in the middle of the night having trouble breathing. I feel so alone and doomed.

I plead guilty. Nobody forced me to smoke. Oh there were some very sneaky and persuasive means employed by tobacco companies that influenced me but it has after all been my choice. But no, I don't feel stigmatized. Just a lot of regret. I realize there are many causes for COPD and I am only speaking for my own. Take care of yourself.