My dad has COPD and has had surgery on both of his lungs. He has not smoked for a very long time prior to the surgery and is struggling increasingly with breathlessness. His consultant has told him however that being given Oxygen will not help him and he is really struggling to understand this almost to the point he does not believe this to be the case. I have provided documentary evidence to him that Oxygen does not cure breathlessness, I wonder if anyone has any helpful suggestions. He has been told he needs to do physio to help him with his breathing but it is a catch 22 as he is so panicky about his breathing he does not wish to exert himself.
Hi, I am a Chinese Medicine Dr, and have PhD in immunology. I have years experience treating my patients with COPD including my own father. I suggest you encourage your father doing abdomen breathing as much as he could. So the lung can get exercise and the energy can go over the whole body. Also go to Chinese Medicine dr to have the diagosis, acupuncture treatment and herbs too.
I am a sufferer of copd,and have been since 1992 ,,,I'm now 69 ,,,,light exersise will be good for your father, it helps open the airways,,,,but ask your GP to refer him to pulmary rehab ( when he's feeling well enough ) they are expert nurse/ physio's who specialise in copd ,and will offer the correct advise ,I have been in their care since a spell in ICU in 2008 ,,,,and they have been wonderful in the care and advise given to me over the years ,
Doesn't he have medication to help with the breathlessness? eg Spiriva and Symbicort have made a HUGE difference in my life. Nothing cured or reversed of course, but my quality of life vastly improved as it also was by pulmonary rehab with a physio.
If he won't help himself there's not much you can do
Does he realise how lucky he is to have been able to access lung surgery? I've been told it's only available here (Aus) in severe cases unless one has private heatlh cover ..... so nice to live in a classless society!