Copd

[julzluzwdw]

OK, this is a little subterfuge, I have another screen name on the board. I just don't feel comfortable sharing this with everyone. I am a 44 year old female and was just diagnosed with COPD. Even though my dad and grandmother had lung cancer I don't think my dr. ever thought (at my age) my lungs were an issue.

My Dad had lung cancer and a lobe removed when he was 58. He made a point of telling us it was the COPD, not the cancer, when he died 5 and a half years later. (I drove hime to the hospital for his lung surgery; he smoked the whole way there and told me not to quit because of his bad luck!) He did get "better" after the operation, but no matter how hard he tried (lots of PT and independent exercise -walked 5 miles! to my house from his) he died an incredibly long, painful, and crappy death.

So, (despite his advice) I quite smoking as soon as I knew he had cancer. His mother, my grandma, died a month before with terminal (advanced) lung cancer.

As I said, he lived long enough to say he "survived" lung cancer, but it was a terrible 5 and a half years. He suffered in so many ways...I have never told anyone about the terrible indignities and suffering he went through. Since his death I have had time to reflect and I don't want my DH and DC to witness any of that.

So, I quit smoking almost 10 years ago. But apparently not soon enough. There is no cure for COPD. I am afraid to tell my husband. I am scared.

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I'm so sorry. I was scared too when I looked up the information on COPD. I was recently diagnosed and I have never smoked. In my case it's looking like I just won the genetic lottery. I really don't know what's in store for me in the future, but I know I have to just keep living one day at a time for my children's sake. That's probably why we go to Disney as often as we do, I want them to have good memories with me if anything happens! And as hard as it might be to tell your dh, you are really going to need the support right now.

I am lucky that I do know people with this disease who are healthy and going strong many years after their diagnosis. So it can be done!

What kind of treatments have they recommended for you? Be very cautious around sick people. I managed to catch an upper respiratory infection that turned into bronchitis and pneumonia is starting in my right lung. It's not helping that I'm immuno supressed because of an auto immune right now. If they put you on any kind of steroids, be careful, it compromises your immune system!

I am having to take antibiotics and treatments for asthma. ( I was also diagnosed with asthma at the same time I received the COPD diagnosis. ) I do have to use an asthma nebulizer, advair, and an inhaler at this time. The pulmonologist has suggested a bronchoscopy that will help break up things in my lungs and help clear them out. Has any of this been suggested to you?

My pulmo doc has also had me start taking cinnamon and tumeric capsules because they help with inflammation, asthma, cardio, etc. You might try this, they're just spices so they can't hurt....

I'll be praying for you!

 

[dclfun]

I'm really sorry to hear about your diagnosis and realize how scared you must be, esp. after your family history and watching a loved one suffer. Since you DID stop smoking, you've done the best thing you could do for yourself. Now it's time to look into things like pulmonary rehab which has come a long way. I know there's a group at our local hospital that teaches you how to move properly, pace yourself, etc. to prevent you from getting short of breath. If you are overweight, then definitely try and trim down. In pulmonary rehab they should recommend a program also to increase your stamina. Use all the aids available to you that your Dr. presribes- O2, a wheelchair, a handicapped parking permit if necessary and consider those things as helping to protect the quality of your life. If you're feeling guilty about having smoked...give it up. You did the best you could and looking back doesn't help- knowing how to move forward does. I hope you can share with your family soon. I know you'll feel better when you're surrounded by the love they'll surely be wanting to give you right now. Hugs from me!--Kathy

 

[LauraVV]

Have you been checked for alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency? You're very young to have COPD. You might also want to see if they can be of any help at National Jewish in Denver. They are a great respiratory hospital for adults (our experience there for kids..not so much). Even though you were a smoker you're awfully young to have such a diagnosis. I'm sorry. I know it's tough to get a new diagnosis.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/455690
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/494666

 

[PatsMom]

I was also diagnosed with COPD in my mid-forties. That was four years ago. It took me two years after to manage to quit smoking but I have done it. It is scary and you will need to be very careful about being around people with respiratory infections. A cold will so easily turn to bronchitis or pneumonia. If you haven't had the pneumonia vaccine, ask your doctor about it. Won't stop all since it only works on some types, but you need all the protection you can get. I still do the albuterol when I have trouble breathing and usually use it before I go for my daily walk, when I know it will be hot and humid (like when I go to Florida in August), etc. But I stopped doing the Advair because I didn't think it was helping enough to be worth dealing with the side effects. Ask questions of your doctor, go to pulmonary rehab and educate yourself on dealing with your disease. It is tough but doable. Good luck!

 

[minkydog]

I sympathize with you. I nursed my father through his fight with lung cancer and it wasn't pretty. My DH has severe pulmonary fibrosis with COPD. He's only 51 and has been sick for 5yrs. It's very hard to see him slowly deteriorate, but I have to give him credit--he is doing all he can to remain positive and to do what he is still able to do. DH takes a lot of meds to manage his illness, so everything is a balancing act. He(we) try to keep away from illness, wash hands a lot, and keep focused on taking care of our family.

I don't think anyone can blame you for the feelings you're having. I know my DH has really suffered from feelings of anxiety, guilt, and depression since he became ill. Thankfully, through a combination of therapy and medication its all manageable. We try to support each other.

We realize that our life will not be perfect and will probably be difficult, but we are trying to do more than endure. Some days are good and some are the pits. I don't blame him or pity him. It is what it is. All we can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other, ya know?

Winston Churchill said, "When you're going through hell, keep going..."