Do You Live With COPD?

[luvsroses_barb]

When I joined the EX, I was really surprised there wasn't a place for people with COPD to go to here. So, I thought I would start a Group for people like us. A place we could go to, to learn more about our disease, and to give support in our quits. I'm sure many don't quit until after diagnosis.

So let me introduce myself. My name is Barb. I have lived with COPD for many years. I just didn't know it. I was diagnosed with Chronic Bronchitis probably more than 10-12 years ago or longer. I didn't know it was from smoking. My doctor didn't tell me. I didn't know it was COPD. He just gave me an inhaler, told me to use it as I felt like I needed it, and that was that. I hardly ever needed it, up until the last few years. That's when I started using it more and more. Mostly in the winter when it was really cold out.

Then about 6 months ago, I started using it 4 times a day, then 5 times, then 6 times. Then about 4 1/2 months ago, I woke up with a pain in my back so bad I couldn't breathe. I took a pain pill to see if that would help. It did a little, but just a little. And a few hours later I was taking another pain pill. It didn't help much at all. And by the time it was time to go home from work, the pain had stretched around to my chest. I called my doctor right away and was admitted to the hospital for an overnite stay. After a bunch of test to rule out a heart attack and blood clot, my doctor came in my room in the morning and told me it was my lungs and I needed to quit smoking. I had already planned on it and had even bought my perscription for Chantix. I started it a week later.

I was sent for further tests on my lungs and when I was 39 days quit, I was diagnosed with moderate emphysema. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions for me ever since. I still don't know much about the disease, but I have learned to accept it better now. And I do start Pulmonary Rehab next week, so I'll be learning more about it there.

I'm really looking forward to meeting more people like me here. Whether you have Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Lung Cancer, or any combination of the above, feel free to join this group and let's share our stories.

Barb - 133 days, 22 hours, 18 minutes and 9 seconds smoke free. 2679 cigarettes not smoked. $576.20 and 20 days, 11 hours of my life saved! My quit date: 5/3/2008 3:00:00 AM

[bobbie-christenson]

CARLIE, YOU POOR THING HAVING A DOCTOR AN EDUCATED MAN TELL YOU SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO YOU, WELL I HAVE NEWS FOR HIM YOU WILL DIE OVER MY DEAD BODY AND I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE FOR A LONG LONG TIME, JUST REMEMBER WHEN YOU QUIT THE PROGRESS OF THE DISEASE STOPS. I HAVE A WONDERFUL PULMONARY DOC AND HE TOLD ME THAT SO YOU ARE AS BAD AS YOU ARE GOING TO GET SO HOW BAD ARE YOU WORSE THAN YOU THINK OR MAYBE BETTER THAN YOU THINK, THE MIND DOES AWFUL THINGS TO US, WHEN THAT DOC SAID THAT TO YOU HE PUT YOU DOWN IN THE BASEMENT AND PROBABLY SCARED THE PEE OUT OF YOU, AND HE MADE YOU MAD, STAY MAD AND DON'T TRUST A DOC UNLESS YOU HAVE REASON, I HAVE REASON TO TRUST MINE, MY COPD STARTED WITH ACUTE REPITORY DISTRESS SYNDROME, I WAS IN A COMA FOR 26 DAYS ON LIFE SUPPORT AND 100% O2, I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO LIVE BUT I DID, I CAME OUT OF IT WITH ASTHMAS, STRIKE ONE, AND THEN I SMOKED ONE AND OFF AND MY LUNGS ARE PUVERIZED FROM THE DISEASE SO ANY SMOKING TORE THEM UP, I DID IT TO MY SELF BUT WHEN HE SAYS I SOUND GOOD AND I AM DOING GOOD I BELIEVE HIM, ANYONE WITH COPD NEEDS A PULMONARY SPECIALIST, YOU INTERVIEW THEM AND SEE WHAT """YOU THINK OF THEM AND THEIR ATTITUDES""" NOT WHAT THEY THINK, YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON CARLIE THAT KNOWS HOW YOU FEEL IS YOU, AND IF YOU DON'T FEEL ALL THAT BAD MAYBE IT ISN'T THAT BAD YOU PROBABLY NEED A PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW AND ONE NEXT YEAR TO MAKE SURE YOU STAYED THERE, I HAVEN'T PROGRESSED IN A LONG TIME, I EXCERISE AND DO ALLTHE THINGS I SHOULD OR AT LEAST I TRY, HANG IN THERE SWEETIE THAT DOC WAS MAY I SAY AN ASSHOLE.LOTS OF HUGSSS AND HOPE BOBBIE

[pat3]

I am scheduled for a PFT on Wednesday. I am still debating if I want to cancel the test. I went to the Dr. in March and had a Sinus infection and Bronchitis. She did an x-ray to make sure there was no pneumonia. This was the first time I had been to this DR. She looked at the x-ray and said " Oh, that's a good x-ray, you don't smoke, do you" I ( being honest), said ( rather ashamedly) " Yes, I do". She said " OH, this is a real bad x-ray, you may have early stage emphazema". She gave me an antibiotic, cough pills, inhalers ( which I did'nt need or use), and nasal spray. I went back to this DR. 2 weeks later because my mouth and throat were so sore it hurt to eat, drink, and swallow. I had a pretty good idea I had thrush from the antibiotics ( I have had thrush before from antibiotics). She looked in my ears, listened to my chest and said " Remember, I told you, you have emphazema, antibiotics won't cure that" and she gives me more inhalers. The next night I went to the er and was diagnosed with thrush. What really gets me is that the x-ray was "Good" until she found out I smoke. I have not smoked in 8 days by the way. So I am afraid to have the test because I feel that she will say I have emphazema whether I do or not, just so she won;t be wrong. Please, any input would be appreciated.

[luvsroses_barb]

Pat, I would go to a different doctor and get a 2nd opinion. A PFT doesn't hurt, so it really wouldn't hurt to get it done and have the 2nd doctor see the results. All they have you do is do different breathing exercises to see how strong your lungs are. I'm not sure they can tell if you have emphysema just by an x-ray. My doctor didn't know I had it until AFTER my PFT. And the PFT will tell how bad you do have it if you even do have it. Just my opinion. Somebody else who has had emphysema for longer than me might be able to give you better advice. I've only known for less than a year. Good luck to you no matter what happens.