Back aga
Back again: I have called pulmonary doc and gp, no reply yet. Today I feel lightheaded and a bit weak. Also sore upper arms: I am going to go to urgent care. Any advice welcome.
Good Luck maryterese, hope this all turns out OK for you ...
Thank you. Still waiting to hear. My Blood oxygen was 97 when I got up but it goes down to 96-95, mostly 96. I feel lightheaded and just not well! Any comments, thank you so much!! You are all great.
Maryterese.........my prayers are with you. Let us know what happens at Urgent Care. XOX
ur blood/oxygen level is absolutely no problem, NOW you`re with the professionals they will be better qualified to give an opinion. good luck
Thank you.
I hope you are ok now maryterese! I had the weakness in arms a few weeks ago, in fact I could not eat my meal because my arms were too weak to lift up, they felt to heavy....& I'm sure it was an anxiety attack! I'm definitely not saying that is what you are experiencing, you are right in seeking medical advice. Hope you are ok
I agree. Thank you for mentioning about Anxiety Attacks Kayc. I am hoping Maryterese will be okay, but sometimes I wonder if she could be suffering from anxiety, due to the diagnosis. I hope everything works out for her though.
But, Anxiety is an interesting issue, and thought I would say something about it. I use to suffer with it. Many COPD patients do suffer with it, from what Ive observed over the past years.
Anxiety attacks can give lots of symptoms. Every time we find it difficult to breath, our brains are naturally alerted, and then we go into anxiety.
Anxiety is the flight or fright system in our bodies that naturally protects us from harm. Our hearts beat faster, our breathing is faster, and it mimics COPD symptoms almost to the T.
I use to struggle with them on a daily basis, and the nurses had to put an oximeter on my finger and show me that my vitals were normal before I would believe it was an anxiety attack. Also, people show it in many different ways too. Mine was faster heart beat and faster breathing which drove me nuts...lol! I am more confident now and have come a long way regarding anxiety.
Forgot to add....I am more confident now that I have it under control more.
lso, I can breathe better too, mainly being that I am more relaxed, and can stop an attack before it begins now. I do pursed lip breathing when I have an attack, and it helps. I shut my eyes and go to a good place too, which greatly helps too. Brenda
Thank you for listening, and hope it may help someone suffering from them too.
I definitely get anxiety. I think this was partly what was going on today. I went to the ER and they found nothing on any tests. They gave me s brief course of prednisone just in case.
My blood oxygen is now 93-97. It keeps getting lower. The 93 scares me! I can't imagine being 93 and at mild. Doc was unconcerned.
I am hoping exercise can help raise my levels a bit. I feel much worse in the morning and then it gets better but not today, until I had the breathing treatment, which helped a bit. All of this is confusing. I thank you for your support.
Maryterese, I am sorry you are feeling this way, and I have a pretty good feeling that it was all anxiety. I also know that anxiety has a way of hiding, and can be difficult to know if it is actual anxiety going on, or something really physically going on. But, as time goes on, we do learn about ourselves, and down the road, we usually become more confident knowing ourselves, and what makes us tick, so anxiety can no longer have its way, and a lot of it can be managed by mind over matter.
I think that exercise will make you feel much better...it makes me happier. I won't allow myself to be sad due to this condition. Life is too short for that, and it is not going to rob that from me if I can help it. It may rob me of other things, but the things it can't rob me of, it will have a struggle doing that to me. I had to learn that a long the way too. I try to have control over my life, and not the condition having control over it. I also love reading about updates on modern medicine regarding surgeries or medications, anything that can make COPD better! I also pray to God and read my Bible, since this also helps. I always ask God to walk beside me and help me through the harder more difficult tasks that I must do. I ask God for assistance and comfort...it keeps the darkness away. Take care...if you need anything please message me or ask! (Hugs)
Hi All!
I think someone mentioned that you can drive yourself nuts if you are constantly checking your blood oxy level. I am on oxygen during the night, then I am always up by 7:00 AM. I go, go, go ALL day and feel GREAT......walk 3 miles, have hobbies, take care of grandchildren, etc. At the end of the day, when I sit down in the evening, sometimes my oxygen dips to 88; however, if I do deep breathing, it goes up to about 92 or 93. I realize that ALL of your organs need oxygen to survive; however, I don't panic if my oxy level dips in the evening because I've had a full, busy day. Oh, by the way..........I am 73 years old and plan to live to 95!!
Brenda, thank you for your thoughtful reply. I am sure anxiety has a lot to do with it...on top of it, I recently lost my former husband. We had just made peace, and I went up to Boston for the services. Very sad, but very blessed we made peace. It has been a difficult time, but I get better each day.
As it turns out my primary doc thinks I may have Sleep Apnea. Oh boy., I do not want that! They have to do testing first. I am sure others on here have it? But that machine...😧 well we will see. I think your outlook is fantastic. I also hope for new treatments.
Sandy, that is wonderful. I am only 58 so do not know what the future holds (scary part) and I am alone after a divorce (I think of myself as a widow now, really). So I worry myself sick at times.
These posts are very helpful. Thanks so much! You have a good life.
Yes, Maryterese, I think we are given a LOT of support on this forum by others. Unfortunately, about 8 years ago, I was incorrectly diagnosed as having asthma (it was just a guess by my GP at the time). NOW with my current GP, he jumped REAL quick to have me get a CT scan and refer me to a pulmonary doctor. When I was correctly diagnosed with COPD, I was already at Stage 2. I think we all have to think positive thoughts about ourselves AND each other......that will keep us strong. Please keep in touch with us! 
Maryterese.......I just saw your response to Brenda about sleep apnea. My husband (73), like most men felt he was indestructible; however his most recent (Jan. 2015) EKG during annual physical showed a slight irregularity. He did an overnight oxy test which showed our GP that my husband should have the overnight sleep apnea test. Long story short......yes, he does wear the mask during the night; however, he no longer snores, does not stop breathing during sleep, and has stopped his restless leg syndrome. There is really nothing to fear about the sleep apnea test NOR wearing the mask. My "tough" husband will now admit to everyone how much the CPAP has helped him. I know it is tough, especially since you are alone, to accept and register these things but you might find it a blessing if you DO have to wear a CPAP. Let us know. Hugs and hugs to you!!!
Hello Maryterese,
Thank you for your message. I plan to go to a respiratory sleep specialist in a few months just to see if I have sleep apnea too. I use to snore, but lately do not, for some funny reason, but must have it checked out.
I remember a specific nurse when I was in the hospital when first diagnosed (3 years ago). The nurse advised me and kept reminding me to see a sleep specialist regarding possible apnea, not sure if he noticed me snoring or not, but he kept telling me to see one. Anyhow, he mentioned how great he was feeling daily due to taking care of his sleep apnea. He kept stressing about how great he was feeling. It is worth it, and he kept telling me it is worth wearing the masks, but yes, they can be difficult at first to get use to.
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your loved one! But, I am so glad for you, that you now have inner peace after his passing, since you both made peace with each other previously. ((hugs))
I wonder if you do have it? They are setting up a sleep study for me. Besides the mask, does the oxygen help the lungs too? I mean us there some benefit for copd? It confuses me.
Thanks for the kind words! Hugs to you too. 🌺
Wow, that is interleaving. Glad it has helped him! I don't know what will happen but I will let you know. I do fear that mask but maybe the ixygen helps all around?
Hugs and hugs to you 💐💐