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What Does COPD Feel Like?

Here are a couple of ways to explain what shortness of breath feels like to those who want to support you but don't understand your symptoms.

Because there is dead air in our lungs the biggest problem with breathing is exhaling not inhaling. When we're experiencing severe shortness of breath our minds kind of shut down to some extent so we forget this. So when you wish to explain suggest that they breathe in but don't exhale and then again...and again. It's actually worse than holding your breath! So tell your support person to remind you to blow out very slowly with pursed lips like blowing out a candle or blowing dandelion seeds. 

In this article is another method that Dale has suggested - breathe through a straw.

https://copd.newlifeoutlook.com/what-does-copd-feel-like/ 

Then there's the tremendous fatigue. This is caused by carbon dioxide poisoning. Some folks may believe that you are lazy - sick lungs don't show! This was shared Years ago by another member of our Community and I find it apt:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/message/76514-spoons 

 https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/copd/blog/2017/01/17/sick-lungs-don-t-show?sr=search&searc...

Do the best you can and stay active. Take your time and give yourself permission to be tired also.

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6 Replies
YoungAtHeart
Member

I am SO sorry for all who suffer with this debilitating disease.  I am glad to learn that it is FINALLY getting some $$$ for research - I understand it was lacking because of the finger pointing/prevailing belief that "we did it to ourselves." 

Has your exacerbation calmed down any?  Hope so!

Nancy

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elvan
Member

You have done a really good job of describing it...I know that it's hard for people without COPD to understand what it's like to have that trapped air in there stopping us from getting a good breath.  I would add two things...one that my respiratory therapist told me and that was to buy some bubble juice and blow bubbles.  You have to let air out very slowly to blow bubbles and that's how you need to breathe out when you are feeling that you cannot get a breath.  When you feel the shortness of breath as you are trying to climb a slight incline...there is a distinct sense of panic that is hard to avoid.  You talk to yourself and tell yourself to slow down, breathe in through your nose and exhale very slowly through pursed lips.  If you inhale to the count of 10, exhale to the count of AT LEAST 20.  It's a constant battle...COPD is dramatically affected by weather, humidity, extreme cold or heat.  The shortness of breath is one component, the other one is overwhelming fatigue.  I think that it might drive me crazier than the shortness of breath.  Eating right, exercising regularly, and trying to balance activity with rest all help and, of course, avoiding any irritating inhalants like smoke, chemicals, dust, mold...it is a journey.

Ellen

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I rationally knew this stuff but I didn't experience it until this time around. That's a whole 'nother ball game! Now I am entering into an acceptance of cutting back on my to-do list, taking my time, resting as needed and getting used to the stares and the invisible look-aways. Just being here is a whole new learning and acceptance. It takes time and it isn't linear. Sometimes I can't resist looking then right in the eye, smiling and saying, "Good Morning!" in my cheeriest Thomas voice! LOL! 

YoungAtHeart
Member

I love that you are not letting those judgmental people give you a moment's discomfort!  They have no idea what you have and are going through - and how DARE they?!  Perhaps, just for kicks, you might ask a person or two if they have a cigarette and watch them squirm (I have quite the devil in me, don't I?)

I hope your current exacerbation is lessening?

Nancy

elvan
Member

When I have to bend over and do stuff at work or when I am sweeping and it is abundantly clear that I am very short of breath as well as in pain, coworkers will ask me, "OMG, are you alright?"  I thank them and say clearly I am NOT but I WILL be, thank you.  My heart hurts for people who are on those damnable automatic carts with oxygen on and at LEAST an extra hundred pounds of weight.  It really makes me so sad, I find that those smaller carts they have in stores now really are helpful to me.  They keep me upright and they really make it MUCH easier for me to breathe.  I am sure that my scoliosis plays a part in my ability to expand my lungs.

YoungAtHeart‌ you are really a troublemaker...I LOVE it.

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MarilynH
Member

Thank you Thomas I reminded myself why I quit smoking after finding out that I have mild copd, I was shoveling the steps off yesterday and cleaned the car off I was making whistling noises and I was having a hard time breathing so I took a break, actually I never went back out yesterday, I deleted the pic of snow that I posted yesterday I figured it wasn't the right spot for it.

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