Hi
Im from sa - my daughter have copd diagnosed in 2007, she started a job - and battling to cope with the day to day task what do you suggest.
Hi ,ask your GP for referral to pulmary rehab, they are specialist copd nurses,
Hi mel40167 -- It is not clear from your comment whether you are writing from SA. If so, general medical advice and assistance might have their limitations unless your family is covered by private medical insurance.
Nanny1086's reply is a correct response in terms of the information you have given. The "related information" section covers most aspects of the treatment available. Severity of your daughter's COPD can be measured against numerous posts to be found on the forum. Those aside, you might find several Youtube videos a useful tool in finding a way forward.
There is no quick-fix solution. Each of us has adapted following a period trial and error. The variables are many. For starters our ages range from 20 to 80. The crucial question is -- Is your daughter a current smoker? Even one cigarette a day will exacerbate the damage.
Hi Mel,
I am from SA too. How is she battling to cope and what lung functionality does she have?
HI Blade
She was diagnosed with COPD and her (Lung capasity 38%)with various illnesses related to her lungs on top of this also severe asthma according to her lung specialist who is been treating her since 2007, and she visits him twice a year - unless she is in hospital. My GP and hospital dr's liaise with one another no matter what and i'm thankful for that but she stresses about everything and get sick very easily, then ends up in hospital. I dont want her to stop enjoying life but is concern.
Hi David
She sees a lung specialist 2 a year. And a non smoker. The stress factor even make her sick - that's my concern how far can you let her do her own thing
Hi Mel,
Yor daughter seems to be in a similar position as I find myself (FEV1 of 31% and diagnosed with asthma too). I have asked the doctors I have been to for a referal for Pulmonary Rehab as has been mentioned in these forums but it seems like no-one does this in SA.
One Pulmonologist said she heard about someone that started one but it was not operating anymore. Contct your daughters doctors and see if they do not know of any Rehab programs she can attend.
Hi
Thank you i will.
All the best to you - if i know or hear anything will let you know - just one question which province are you in.
Hi Mel,
I am in Gauteng Province
Hi Mel -- As soon as Blade65 mentioned "Gauteng" I realised that you and your daughter have factors to contend with. Most of us are not familiar with S African conditions and the weather extremes to be found across the country.
Depending where you are the provincial health service might fall short of requirements. I seem to remember that Gauteng couldn't even pay their medical suppliers at one stage. Perhaps matters have improved. I am out of touch with conditions at, say, Baragwanath or Johannesburg General. If your daughter has to attend either of them raised anxiety levels would be understandable. Service at a Sandton clinic would probably be of a high standard although an up-front payment might be required at the door. I also hear the Constantiaberg Clinic in the Cape, which enjoyed a good reputation, has fallen from grace in recent months. It is not clear if the quality of care is starting to drop. However, the health department emphasis was I believe remodelled to "primary health care" needs owing to financial constraints.
There is one crucial feature if you, too, are in Gauteng -- namely altitude. The air is rarefied, and even normally healthy folk can be affected by anything over 6000 feet. Environmental aspects must therefore surely be examined in your daughter's case.
Pulmonary rehab might be out of your reach, but I would recommend you spend hours trawling the web. There might just be a piece of useful information tailormade to ease your daughter's plight.
More information please! What sort of job is she trying to do?
I used to do housecleaning to supplement my pension but I can only do one 2 hr job a fortnight now, for someone who also has COPD and understands that some days I can only work very slowly, but I don't charge her any extra if the cleaning takes longer.
Has she been to rehab to learn ways to manage the conditon? Is she on medication and if so, does it need to be reviewed?