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Connect with others living with health conditions

Do You Live With COPD?

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
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12 Replies

Hi Karen, thanks for joining the group. I don't wheeze as much as I did before I quit, but I still do wheeze some. That's when I know it's time to use my inhaler. But I don't hack up a lung anymore either. I do cough some time, but not like I did when I smoked. It sure is a great feeling. I'm sure my lung capacity is better, but I just don't feel it yet. That is what the Pulmonary Rehab is for. To strengthen mu lungs so that I can function better. It's coming at a good time of year too. Because winter has always been the harder time of year to breathe in the past. Looks like you have a wonderful quit going there. What a wonderful inspiration that is.

Barb - 134 days, 9 hours, 18 minutes and 19 seconds smoke free. 2688 cigarettes not smoked. $576.20 and 20 days, 12 hours of my life saved! My quit date: 5/3/2008 3:00:00 AM
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carlie
Member

Hi, Barb - This is a GREAT idea!! saw this on the main page, and - zoom !!- here I am !!!

I think this group should have been named "Too Hard-Headed To Quit !!" LOL...(Just kidding, Barb!) I find this subject matter hard to talk about...like when Jerry Reed died - and they said he died of emphysema- that hits WAY too close to home, and upsets me !!!

I have had bronchitis most of my life...growing up in the mid-west, my raspiness and coughs were usually blamed on the humidity. 20 years ago I was finally diagnosed with "chronic bronchitis"...a round or two of antibiotics, and that was it. No inhalers, or meds for my lungs...it was like now they at least had a name for it...and it's NOT going away - so good-bye now !!!

I moved to Texas 4 years ago...one of the first things my doctor here did, was label me COPD, and put me on an inhaler - Advair...and Combuvent (sp?) when I needed some "extra" help. Anything else this doc wanted to put me on, would interact with the meds another doctor had me on for something else !! So, I stick with the Advair !

One med I was on was causing me heart problems...but instead of looking at the particular medication I was on, they sent me to a heart specialist, to see if there was anything wrong with my heart - I couldn't do the stress-test on the treadmill, so I was sent to a Pulmonary doctor for a Pulmonary Function Test - PFT ! When I went in for the results, this doctor got one inch away from my face (no kidding) and said: " You have VERY, VERY severe emphysema - you are gonna DIE !!! It could be very slow, or very fast...but you ARE gonna die !!!" I gave it 2 seconds, look HIM in the face, and said: "SO ARE YOU !!" I left his office and never went back. My regular doctor is treating me (or not) for the emphysema.

I do a lot of herbs - I drink a lot of Mullein tea - you can buy it anywhere...Mullein is a natural healer for the lungs, bronchial fibers, and airways in general. Milk Thistle is a really good herb - I take 2 capsules a day...along with a bunch of supplements I have either been taking for years, of started taking in May, anticipating my quit.

The wheezing that sometimes kept me awake at night, disappeared after the 1st week of my quit ! I started doing a sort of exercise...bend over, let your arms dangle in front of you; slowly rise up, inhaling slow and deep, till you're standing straight up, and your arms are over your head. Exhale as you let your arms drop back to your sides. I do this whenever I think of it (I HATE exercising) and when I'm outside. The first and second time I do this, I can barely get any air into my lungs. By the 4th or 5th time, I can feel my lungs stretching, almost, to fill up with air. It's pretty interesting...get in tune with you body - listen to it - it WILL tell you what it needs - it WILL tell you when it's had enough of something !!
I have been told I am in the "denial" stage of dying...that I refuse to believe what the doctors have told me - that I refuse to make preparations for my "end" or "demise"....and do what the doctors tell me. I say Bull-Shit to that !!! And I will NOT apologize for the cursing...that's how adamant I am. I feel this way - - the human body is very complicated - there is NO way, ANY doctor has it ALL figured out. We have to listen to our own bodies....am I going to die ? We all are...eventually !! I will not die from some medications that the doctor put me on, that caused my disability, and I am up in arms about....(that's another story).....and I will NOT die from the cigarette that I smoked today...because I chose NOT to smoke that cigarette today !!!

I have been clean and sober 16 years.....and I chose life over cigarettes 76 days ago.
Thanx !!
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Hi Carlie, I remember you telling me that the doctors there weren't so good. That's just awful what the Pulmonologist said to you. Have you tried getting a second opinion? Or have you been that turned off by all the doctors there?

I will be sure to let you know what happens in Pulmonary Rehab so that maybe you can do some of the things that I learn at home. One thing he already taught me is that when I'm out of breath, to breath in through my nose for a count of two, and breath out of my mouth with pursed lips for a count of 4. Keep doing this until I can breath normally. That exercise has helped me many times. Another good exercise I've learned online is just a deep breathing exercise. Put your hand on your stomach, and breathe in as deeply as you can, so that you can feel your stomach rise. Then exhale as much as you can. Repeat that a few more times. And do that several times a day. It helps build up your lung capacity.

It's my family doctor treating me too, but so far she has been good. But I've only known for a short time, so time will really tell. She hasn't let me down for anything else yet, so I think she'll treat me well with this too.
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kerry
Member

Hi Barb, I am 43 today and was diagnosed with COPD a few years ago. That is one of the main reasons I wanted to quit. I use Spiriva, but not every day. Today was my quit day, but I had 2 cigarettes because I felt too weird...dizzy and confused. Hopefully I will do better. Nice to meet you, Kerry
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karenr
Member

I am so sorry your having to go threw this but we are all here to help you....like so many here I started smoking when I was 13 and I am not 46 and have been diagnosed with mild emphsyema I dont use inhalers and I work out 3 times a week for over a hour at a time...I had been dignosed with chronic bronchitus but had no idea it was COPD....There is no person out there that can say when you will die only the one in heaven and I prayed alot to him and gave them nasty cancer sticks up today is my 15 days smoke free and I have no intention on ever pickn them back up again...I honeslty believe it is 98% in the mind and you can make it as hard as you want to....tell your self heck I can do this I am stronger then that little cancer stick and you have gotten me in the past but NEVER again and ever time you get a craving breath as deep as you can and drink alot of water and tell yourself that....I will pray for you but you can do whatever you put your mind to....I know the damage we have done is irreversible BUT we can make what we have left much stronger and better.....I think if you try and walk a little each day you will build your lungs back up also there is a repiratory cleanser for the lungs and you can get it at GNC stores...I am determine to do whatever it takes to make my lungs as good as possable because I would rather live then smoke....God Bless...Karen
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sheila12
Member

HI!!
Thank you for starting this!
I am 19 days now SMOKE FREE!!! , and I know I could NOT have done it without all of you!!

I also had looked for a COPD group when I joined this month- I am very grateful that you have started one!

I turned 40 this year- and was diagnosed with COPD this June.
But, now looking back- I have had "bronchitis" every winter- pleurisy sp? one winter-
flu that turned into bronchitis one year and then this year- pnuemonia in my right lung--June along with COPD--
I was in total denial- I AM TOO YOUNG-
BUT THE FACT is I smoked 27 yrs..
I was told I am genetically prone " alpha something- " my Dad died age 49 with stage 4 small cell carcinoma, his brother at age 51- my grandpa at 53- I was told then to quit- but, ...
So, I am doing alot of reading and studying and have realized KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!
AND with the love & support that I feel every time I get on line- has helped me tremendously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

19 DAYS of FREEDOM!!!
THANKS AGAIN!!!! Sheila
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karenr
Member

YAY go sheilaaaaaaaaaaaa way to go 19 days that is awlsome I am at 15 days...We can do this one day at a time keep up the good work and we all can do this together...Karen
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kerry
Member

Great job!!! You're winning!
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Kathy, the non-nicotine medications that I know of are Chantix, which is what I used and DeeDee (Donna) used too. It can give you dreams, but not everybody gets them (I didn't) and I've been told it depends on what time of day you take your second pill whether you'll get them or not. The Chantix works by blocking the transmitters in your brain and releases dopamine to keep you feeling good so that the craves are bareable. The other two non-nicotine meds that I know of are Welbutrin and Bupropian (Zyban) for depression. Somehow the two of them have helped many people quit smoking. I'm not sure how though. I have heard that the NRT's - the Gum, the Patch, anything that still has nicotine in it to help you quit smoking will give you the dreams too. Some have good vivid dreams, others like yourself, have nightmares. That climbing the wall feeling, I'm afraid, is the craving I mentioned that you will have to go through for the first few days. It takes 72 hours for our bodies to go through a detox of the nicotine and the many other chemicals that are in cigarettes. But after the 72 hours, the cravings do subside to a more bareable level. The NRT's and the non-nicotine meds only help make the cravings more manageable, but you still do have to go through them. But I promise you, the pain is shortlived. I did NOT want to quit smoking. I only quit because my breathing was getting worse. And I only quit with help from the Chantix and from support from groups like this one. Honest to God, if my breathing was still good, I would still be smoking. That's how diehard a smoker I was. But I'm a sissy, I don't like to struggle when it comes to breathing and I don't like having to take meds, so I figured it's better to quit then to have to pay for more meds and oxygen later.. Besides, my mom is on 24/7 oxygen too, has been for 2 years now. I hate seeing her like that and don't want my kids to have to see me like that too.

We're here to help you all we can Kathy, with words of encouragement, a swift kick in the butt (only if you want or need one) and as much information as we can give you to prepare you to become quit and stay quit.
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