copd

[bossman1955]

I have had breathing difficulties for about 5 years now. I have been in the hospital in the last 3 months for breathing difficulties. They put me on Spriva and Advaia 500 an a Enebilizere. [please excuss the spelling]. Also I carry oxygen with me. At night I have a home oxygen machine wich dosen't do very good. I have found that being out in the cold say, snow blowing I have a hard time going the 50 feet up and down my driveway. I am a smoker of 41 years and still smoke but a lot less. Having sex is out of the question. I don't have the air for that niether. I have been very active all my life untill the 5 years or so. What stage of Copd and Emohazemia to you believe that I'm in and should I go to another Doctar. The Doctor I have been seeing is a good man but all he will tell me is that there is a few things that can be done to help the  quality of life untill I die. What, 1 year or what?

[National Jewish Health]

That you must use oxygen continuously, 24 hours a day, suggests that you have severe or advanced emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  That, alone, does not mean that you will die soon.  Many people with oxygen-dependent COPD live for 5 to 10 years or even longer, especially so if they do not have frequent acute worsening that, in many instances requires hospitalization, and if they quit smoking entirely.  Continued smoking may cut your life expectancy by as much as 50%.

You don’t say it but your message implies that you lead a fairly sedentary life.  That too may shorten your life expectancy, in addition to reducing the quality of your life as long as you live.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program designed specifically for people with significant respiratory difficulties.  All pulmonary rehabilitation includes an exercise program designed for people who are oxygen dependent and detailed patient and family education.  Most also include emphysema/COPD support groups, attention to psycho-social issues plus medicine education and management.  Most large hospitals offer pulmonary rehabilitation programs of varying length and complexity.  Ask your doctor to refer you to such a program and if he can’t or is unwilling, contact the American Lung Association for guidance.

If you are willing to put effort into such a program, the quality and perhaps even the length of your life will be enhanced.

Good luck.

[AudreyRose]

Good Luck, Gary.  Get into a good smoking cessation program and LIVE!  You can do it!

[bossman1955]

Thank You for the responce. It makes me feel better knowing that someone is out there that I can turn to for information. Over the past week end I had a coughing fit that almost rendered me unconsious. By the time I finally got my air back My face was as Red as a apple. I broke all the blood vessels in my face and my eyes were as Red as my face. I looked like something out of a horror movie. I hope that dosen't happen again. Is that something that I will have to endure often. Gary