COPD

My husband was diagnosed with COPD, emphysema, a year ago.  He was hospitalized for passing out and low oxygen.  He also has had a heart attack.  57 years old, very overweight.  General health is not real good as far as chloresterol and blood pressure and also Type 2 diabetes.  He is also a heavy smoker.  He will not quit smoking or start exercising, so that will not change.  I have had to accept that.  He feels if he takes his meds he will be fine.  Very deep seated denial and as I say, he won't change.  The other night he got up wheezing very badly and coughing.  He coughs alot of the time, especially during the night.  He finally caught his breath and fell asleep in a chair for several hours.  I am concerned that he will pass out again and am not sure of what to do if it happens other than calling 911.  I guess I am looking for some signs to help me figure out if he is declining or staying stable.  Please don't tell me to talk to him or for his doctor to talk to him about what he is doing to himself.  As I said he is in denial and for my own health I have had to accept it.  I am trying to figure out what I am facing so I can be prepared.  At some point in time we have to accept certain things in life even if we don't like to.  That is where I am and I feel I have to be ready to handle whatever is handed me.

[National Jewish]

From this description, your husband is declining rapidly, not staying stable.  You have indicated that he will not listen to you or his doctor.  You should consider if there is any other person in the world, to whom he would listen and then enlist that person.  Should he pass-out, you have no choice but to call 911.

It is highly likely that he is very afraid and is paralyzed by his fear.  It could be helpful for him to speak with someone, in a confidential setting, perhaps his doctor, with the opportunity to express his fears rather than being told once again that his behavior is self-destructive.  Another possible cause of his inability to come to terms with his situation could be depression.  You should discuss this with his doctor.

[Raelynjewel]

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through.  I can however relate,  my name is Monica by the way and my father suffered thorugh these horrible things for 8 years.  I cared for him 24-7 for the last 5 of those years and feel that I may have some insight for you.  He was only 52 when he passed away and we went through alot,  he was also in complete denial right up to the end and I had to deal with inadequate medical care because he rfused to go until he ended up in the back of an ambulance.

[sgdgwd]

Hello,
I am in desperate need of advise, thoughts, suggestions.  My husband for several years now has this chronic condition of always trying to clear his throat from excess mucus.  Also, sometimes has this these sounds coming from his throat or chest.  Sometimes his attacks are worse than others.  But this is a 24/7 problem for years now.  When he sleeps its ok and hasn't disturb his sleep. But sometimes its starting to.  Here are the things he as tried and done so far; Chest x-ray negative, a tool of some sort stuck through his nose to check throat and negative.  He has tried Nexium, sinu Cleanse wash, TUSSIONEX, Claritan D, Asthma medication.  Nothing has cured this nightmare.  I am worried about COPD.  Is it possible to have COPD and have a chest x-ray that came back fine?  HELP!