COPD Group

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Hey Folks!

Just letting you know that the https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/copd?sr=search&searchId=2d584c20-c5fb-43a6-b99d-43dac59d36... Group has been resurrected and everybody who either has COPD or a loved one with COPD or even concerns and questions about COPD is Welcome to follow. 

I have posted a few times and I will continue to post - but this is not a one-man pony show!

No, you don't have to do research and post articles! That's just my way of doing things. But post abut how you feel, any questions, concerns, anxiety, stories, treatments, anything! Just don't leave me out here by myself because that is not a Group!

I want this to work because I believe in it's importance and I know that literally half of us have been or will be diagnosed with COPD. So tell us your tale! We can support each other!

[MarilynH]

A very good morning to you Thomas3.20.2010 , for me finding out that I have mild copd is probably the best thing that could've happened to me, otherwise I doubt that I would have quit, I was seeing a specialist for something else but for some reason he listened to my lungs and didn't like the sound of them and sent me for a breathing test which I'm thankful for because I brightened up thanks to this site and reading most of your articles on copd and am enjoying my Freedom and hopefully slowed the progression down, thanks my friend and fellow Exer for caring.

[Violet_Quit]

Good Morning Thomas, I Found out that i had copd a couple years ago. It was around the time i got pretty sick and they put me through many of tests , breathing tests ,and some others.And at the time they said i had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease....copd. So i was lost on my own with all my so called health issues.i also have Benigh essential hypertension too among other things. But the way i been going i thought i wasn't going to have any more trouble with it i been feeling better but i hear you can't get rid of it? Hoping i won't have much issues with it but i would like to follow along if thats ok.

[elvan]

I had a rough day yesterday, so short of breath that I really thought I might have to call my doc but then I heard that the pollen count is already really high and I think that is what I am responding to.  I increased my prednisone just a little this morning and will keep it up for a few days to see if I feel better.  It is raining and rain makes it hard for me to breathe, always has.  I am hoping this doesn't turn into a full blown exacerbation.

All kinds of things set off COPD, allergens, upper respiratory infections, etc.  I have a multitude of allergies and there is always something setting me off.

Hope everyone has a good day and that you are aware of the importance of paying attention to your breathing before it gets to the point where you have to seek medical attention.  I always have extra prednisone because my pulmonologist and my PCP both feel that it is better for me to decide when I need it than to wait for an appointment.  (I have taken prednisone for over 25 years for my RA and I am a retired nurse so I am pretty cautious with increasing dosages because of the side effects.

Thanks for keeping this group going, Thomas, COPD is such an invisible disease and anyone who has it knows that the shortness of breath is just one part of it, the fatigue is what gets me the most.

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

Hey Thomas,

 Am now following the group and will be posting my COPD story there soon. 

Chuck

[constanceclum]

Hey Thomas, what a great idea to start this group. I was diagnosed 7-8 yrs. ago with moderate copd and about 2yrs. ago with severe copd. I have continued to smoke through it all. I'm like the rebellious teenager playing russian roulette with my life. Oh I have tried to quit many times but so far, have always given in. Now I have 15 DOF and breathing better. I find it amazing that I can still function. I certainly can't exert myself without shortness of breath but I'm happy that I can get out of the house and walk.

Connie

[elvan]

Thought I responded to this this morning but it either did not post or I am on a different blog.  It's really helpful to read the articles that you post, Thomas.  I have learned a great deal and it has explained a lot of what is out there and how to get through this, COPD is pretty ugly, the shortness of breath is bad enough but the fatigue is beyond anyone's understanding...except those of us who HAVE it.

[Stopforgood]

Thanks Thomas!  You do so much on Ex and Copd.   Thank you my friend!

[Samsgurl2018]

Hi Thomas and everyone here. So today I found out I have COPD changes in my chest x-ray and my doctor is starting me on spiriva inhaler. I haven't had any lung function tests but we discussed my chest x-ray from when I was really sick almost two weeks ago. She went over my results and did not sugar coat anything. She told me I'm not in stage 1 yet but if I don't stop smoking I will have problems. My x-ray showed hyperexpansion of my lungs which was what she was concerned about. My oldest brother is stage 2 and he has his bad days depending on the weather. He's on two inhalers and has a difficult time walking even a block. I know I'm not that bad yet and maybe I can slow the progression. I'm not too educated on COPD and hopefully I can read up on everything I need to know. I think I was in denial when she said I wasn't in stage 1 yet because I know it's just COPD even if it's mild.  But I'm hoping to learn a lot to kick this COPD down.