Way to go Nick00070! I know miracles happen every day and maybe even to me too. I also stopped smoking Sept 3rd 2014...the day they admitted me in the hospital and found COPD. When dismissed, I was supposed to be on Oxygen 24/7 but the medicine, and no smoking has got my pulse Ox level around 92 without oxygen! I don't know any other numbers bc im still trying to be seen by a specialist thru the County program but I feel like im way better than what they predicted. Anyways....your news is inspiring and i pray I will be an inspiration too! Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful success story. If this is a miracle then maybe you are one of the 'chosen ones'. Though I am sure it has a lot to do with you giving up tobacco. You have helped your lungs. The future looks good for you.
Grete.
Hi Grete, sorry to hear that things are becoming more harder for you, yes like you i also have copd, stage 3, and was told to do more excercise, they must be joking i can hardly walk let along do anything else, yes i will peel a few spuds, and do the odd job around the house, but thats it, but my consultant wanted me to go out for walks etc to help my lungs, i told her how can that be when they are so damaged and not repairable, she said it will help your lungs to strenghten and keep you fit, i said thats all well and good, but what can you give me for my breathing then, when i am out and have no oxygen with me, and if i could go for a walk and gasping for air what do i have nothing, she said i will see you in Jan 2015
Hi Mike1964
Lol...I'm trying to find the humor in their lack of understanding but it's not easy is it. I can only tell you this...I felt the same way but the Spiriva and the daily steroid puffer has improved my breathing so much...and i was told I will be on Oxygen 24/7 when released from the hospital. I haven't even turned on my O2 machine in many days. But it's only bc of the medicine. I know they give basically 2 of these same medicines to all COPD patients...how long have you been on yours and is it helping you significantly as well?
Hi again Grete...my last 2 posts got deleted...maybe because I mentioned specific websites or names...I'm not sure....but I will have to be more general I guess. Anyway, I discovered something recently that has helped me do better. It is a method of breathing where you learn to breathe less and conserve co2 in the lungs and body which is supposed to be beneficial for us. One way is its relaxing effect, like when we are told to breathe into a paper bag when hyperventilating or having difficulty breathing. We are inhaling our exhaled co2. Exercise increases co2 but this method also teaches you how to breathe during exercise so you don't lose all the valuable co2 that's been generated by the exercise. So, I tried this buteyko method of breathing and after just a couple of days I've been noticing that I have been coughing less, and have been able to reduce my daily use of bronkaid almost in half!
So, you can find videos online discussing and demonstrating this method of breathing, and find an instructor that seems most helpful to you. I found one that was good for me, but I don't think I'm allowed to mention her name here. So far I've seen 6 of her videos and they're only between 2-6 minutes long so you can learn alot in a short time. You can also watch a full seminar by an Australian fellow that describes the science behind it.
One other thing....I don't carry mold test kits everywhere....but do test where you live, or anyplace where you have to spend alot of time breathing indoor air. I tested my home and my workplace. My workplace as it turned out was a huge problem. So, it helped me pinpoint my most significant trigger. I hope this helps you too! Jan
My dad is 98 years old, and in pretty good health with a really sharp mind, and a positive attitude...so....70 is not old in his opinion and I tend to agree with him!
I did hear about the buteyko method some time ago but did not look into it at that time. Actually I thought it was just for asthmatics where there is no lung damage. I do have asthma but also copd. In view of what you say I will take another look online at buteyko. Anything to improve our lung function. Thank you.
Thanks also to your Dad. I feel younger today.
Grete
I'd still say some exercises are better than none. Exercise will definitely help your lungs to fight. Not overdoing it is important as well.
'Thought I would keep you posted. I saw the pulmonary nurse today for the annual spirometary test. I remembered what you said and asked about pulmonary rehab. exercises. She thought it was a good idea and will refer me for early next year. Thanks again.
Grete