New to copd

[Lindarivera]

Last week I was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia - the dr mentioned that she thinks I have copd.  I’m overwhelmed - does that mean I’m going to die? How much time do I have ? Do stem cell work ? Do inhalers help w symptoms or does it stop or slow progress of disease.? What about cardio ? Will that stop it ? I have not had a follow up w de - she is not available till February ? I’m so anxious idk what to do !

[Thomas3.20.2010]

As Chuck pointed out COPD is highly misdiagnosed - both false positives and false negatives. Until you get  a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) it's all just a guess. That being said, I know folks who have lived a full lifetime with even severe COPD and others who died very young in their 40s and 50s. So it's up to you. It all starts by quitting smoking first and foremost which you already have done. 

If you're like me you may want to learn more now - just in case. Here's where you begin:

So, You've Been Diagnosed with COPD: Now What?‌

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/copd/blog/2013/11/05/just-diagnosed-with-copd-coping-with-...‌

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/copd/blog/2013/11/06/just-diagnosed-with-copd-what-to-expe...‌

I recommend that you just take care of yourself - which is what you would do with a firm diagnosis anyway. Pneumonia is tough enough to recuperate from. 

I was diagnosed in 2010 at Stage II and now I have Stage III COPD. I am on oxygen 24/7 but I still work full time and have energy left for my Family and Friends. I set out to find out all I can about COPD and to share it with you. Look through the blogs on COPD‌ and you will find a library full of knowledge and testimony from folks like elvan‌ who live with COPD. It's not about dying - it's about  living!

Live Long and Prosper!

[Barbscloud]

Linda, 

We haven't heard back from you.  How are you doing?

[Lindarivera]

I’m ok - still not smoking 26 days ! However, i have trouble sleeping - not breathing as much as falling a sleep -not sure y ? But I’m sure it’s cigarette withdrawal. 

I am a foster parent with 6 children - 2 birth 2 foster and 2 adopted  and I take care of my mother who is 84. 

I use to get everyone settled and in bed- then I would go to my room , smoke cigarettes , drink a glass of red wine and take a bath w candles , Jett’s and bubbles . I don’t do that now - it reminds me of smoking and relaxation . Now , I go to bed tense and I cannot fall a sleep even with pills . Any advice? 

[Barbscloud]

 Congratulations on 26 days.   That's quite an accomplishment, especially with all off your commitments.  That's wonderful that you've taken children into your home.  Have you been able to get a diagnosis yet?  COPD?   Yes the withdrawal can cause sleeping problems for a while, but have any of your medical conditions been resolved?  Breathing issues could contribute to sleeping problems also. I do understand how you miss your relaxation time.  We do have to avoid behaviors we associate with smoking, at least temporarily.   Is there something you could substitute?  How about listening to music with your bath instead of cigarettes (and wine).   In the long run you're going to better off not smoking,   Did you ever try the meditations on YouTube?   When I listen to one, I fall asleep before it's over.    You're doing great.  Reach out if you need support from the community.  That's what we're for.

Barb 289 DOF

[elvan]

Congratulations on 26 days of freedom...difficulty sleeping is really common after quitting.  I did not have that issue because I had been so sick that all I wanted to do was sleep.  I did find that coming here and reading and getting encouragement in the morning and the evening every day helped me to move forward.  DO stay close to the site.  You have more on your plate than most, SIX kids and an elderly mother should MAKE you sleep...I am tired just THINKING about it.  

You are doing great.  I took benadryl when I had trouble sleeping, in fact, I still do and it knocks me out at the 25 mg dose.  I would not do it every night but it helps when I need something to get me over that edge.  If you enter trouble sleeping in the little magnifying glass on the top of the site...right hand side, you will see how common it is and might come up with something that has worked for others.  Make yourself a NEW place to relax...not associated with smoking.  Get rid of everything that you can that reminds you of smoking, clean your room, top to bottom and get rid of that smell.  Put some plants in there, something that YOU like and something that makes you feel like it is YOUR peaceful and healthy space.  You CAN do this and it WILL get easier...

Ellen

[Lindarivera]

I always smoked in my room. It’s cold in Colorado and Kids couldn’t come in my room . So it was a great place to escape /

It’s a super huge room almost like an apt - separate ac / and heat

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[elvan]

I think that if you change your room up some, it will help with the psychological withdrawal.  Don't worry about being irritable, it will pass and you are going through some difficult times physically.  I have been quit for close to five years after smoking for 47 years.  I knew I had COPD long before I quit because I have asthma and I was getting worse all the time.  The thing to remember about COPD is that while there is no cure, it can be slowed down immensely by taking care of yourself.  You know that smoking is a terrible risk...changing up your diet to a healthier one can slow it down and so can regular exercise.  I am a retired RN but I really learned a great deal about COPD from Thomas3.20.2010‌.  I did not improve as much as other people after I quit and I made an appointment with a pulmonologist and requested specific testing as Thomas suggested.  I work out regularly, sometimes more intensely than others, I eat a healthy diet, I try to do everything I can to avoid allergens and that is not easy.  Our basement is filled floor to ceiling, wall to wall with "stuff"...my husband has real issues with throwing things away and I cannot be down there for any length of time.  Managing COPD has been something that I have learned and that I continue to learn about.  I don't know for sure if that is your diagnosis but nothing advised here is going to hurt you if it turns out that it is not.  I have three inhalers that I use and I have a nebulizer for times when I am really struggling with breathing.

When you are able, try to plan for changing that room and getting the stale smoke out of there.  

Sending you my best and hoping that you feel better every day, congratulations on your quit.

Ellen

[sweetplt]

Hi Linda,

There are medications to help with COPD.  Learn everything you can do to help with the disease and most of all, if you are smoking...STOP and QUIT.  Gotcha in my Thoughts ~ Colleen aka sweetp

[Barbara145]

Congratulations on 26 days.  You are doing this!  The sleep will come and be better than ever.  It just takes time.  The whole quitting thing takes time but it is so worth it!  Carry on and take care of yourself.

[Lindarivera]

Yeah , I chew Nicorette gum just a 1/2 - but I chew it so hard everyone makes a comment ! Ugh ! I’m just so irritable !

I’ll try mediation tapes

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