Just been diagnosed with COPD :-(

[Destination]

The crazy part is 3 years ago I went to my old doctor with breathing difficulties, who asked me if I smoked, I said yes, and he pretty much said, give up, man up, and get out of my surgery, obviously I lost faith in doctors after that, however last week I had the Flu and could hardly breathe, I told my Mrs to make an appointment at the new Doctors, obviously something wasn't right, and that's when I found out, she was disgusted at what the previous doctor did and said.

Obviously you didn't quit then, when you had breathing difficulties, and waited three years until further troubles to quit.
What were you hoping for in the first consultation?

 

[ethan]

How severe is your condition? As previously mentioned COPD is an umbrella term. The immediate things you can do is stop smoking, eat healthily and when able, take up walking to improve your general fitness. You can then try to improve on things later. I've seen 68-year-olds with COPD in the gym. If it's any help, COPD doesn't mean giving up.

 

[Bassmansam]

Sorry to hear of your health problem but please don't be disgusted by your previous doctor. They have to make assumptions sometimes and the chances were your issue three years was a temporary effect caused by smoking. As three years have gone past until recently, if you felt there was something wrong before the flu you would have gone back. Also, rightly so, people have to do their bit to look after their health too. Ie, stop smoking, still have breathing problem, then doctors would take it more seriously.

I'm in a similar situation with knee pain but I really should have gone back to the Dr's by now (my fault).

This is whats bad a about nhs gp’s making assumptions when something is not plainly obvious. It has been and can be disastrous.

 

[Hades]

Sorry to hear that OP. My mum has COPD and is currently in hospital after a chest infection. She's smoked all her life and even now refuses to give up entirely. But as mentioned it's an umbrella term rather than a specific disease.

 

[LewisRaz]

My mother has it and gets chest infections all the time... But she has refused to quit smoking... The doctors said at the time If she quits then its not an real issue.

As many others have said as long as you never touch another cig you will likely be fine.

 

[DarrenM343]

This is whats bad a about nhs gp’s making assumptions when something is not plainly obvious. It has been and can be disastrous.

Agree completely but they just do not have the time and resources, and neither does the NHS. Have to make assumptions and take a kind of risk/probability approach. If a non-smoker had a difficulty breathing they'd probably take it more seriously, a higher probability of something more serious. Most smokers with a difficulty breathing, it's probably a temporary thing caused by smoking. I've always hated ciggie smoke and was glad when it was banned in public places because just passive smoking used to affect my breathing afterwards(smokey pubs), albeit, temporarily(next morning I'd be fine).
My mother had cataracts recently. Her vision was getting worse, doctor thought the cataracts were fine for now so did nothing further despite my mum declaring her vision had got worse. Her vision deteriorated further. Cataracts were later done when she pushed for the operation and then they realised she also had MGD when her vision was still not great afterwards - they all missed the age related MGD due to assumption the cataracts were the only problem.
Separate note but I had to go private to have an issue taken more seriously. NHS Doctor kept giving creams etc for a really painful condition. Private doctor ordered full tests, samples, bloods and put the options in front of me (we can operate, or leave it for now) etc. While the NHS is free(ish) it isn't going to offer a top service unless it's life threatening at that time.

 

[Pawnless Endgame]

SORRY TO BURST THE OP BUT MEDICAL ADVICE IS PROHIBITED ON THIS FORUM.

YOU NEED TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL HELP.

Fixed

 

[Destination]

This is whats bad a about nhs gp’s making assumptions when something is not plainly obvious. It has been and can be disastrous.

I disagree.
The assumption is, smoking is bad for you. You have breathing difficulties, no doubt caused or exacerbated by smoking.
Stop it.

 

[Kelt]

I've known someone even before they became a doctor then a more senior doctor... surprised me a great deal to know they'd taken up smoking.

Edit

Maybe not.

 

[mmj_uk]

It's probably easier said than done but I'd imagine one of the best things you can do now is to try to distract yourself and not dwell on it, the stress of worrying about it will only make matters worse.

Oh yeah and quit smoking.

 

[BUDFORCE]

Take up drinking instead.

Wait, here me out.

You need to stop smoking, that is a given. Your gonna go crazy probably, you need something to deal with it. Alcohol, whilst isnt in the long run great for you, will not affect your lungs.

I am not advocating becoming a complete alcoholic, but have a few beers in the evening, every evening, stick on some good music. Try to relax.

During the day, get some bloody exercise, and by that I dont mean sign up to a gym and try and flog yourself to death. Try wand walk, for 20 mins, 30 minutes, an hour, whatever you can. Do it outside, get some fresh air. Do it every day, if you can only walk 20 minutes, don't worry about it, keep doing it, I guarantee after a while you will feel like you can run it.

Improve your diet, nothing to do with your lungs sure, but it'll help, plenty of fresh vegetables, oily fish like sardienes and mackerel.

What I am saving is, have that vice, have that vice and enjoy it. Doing everything else on the side right.

Good luck buddy.

 

[Vimes]

My brother was diagnosed with COPD due to heavy smoking around 28 years ago, altho he had symptoms for years before that.
He continued to smoke for the next 20 years despite all the warnings and support from those around him.
He has been on permanent oxygen for several years now and at end stage emphysema.
I will not go into what that means for him or the people around him, it is not good, but you must do your very best to STOP smoking and do NOT go back to doing so.
Daily walks to improve your lung function and a good diet can help in the long term.

After my brother got over the shock of his diagnosis the compulsion to smoke was too much for him. Don't let that happen to you.

Best wishes.

 

[Housey]

I have chronic asthma and nasal polyps, a side effect of a serious immune disorder called Churg Strauss that I was diagnosed with earlier this year. Asthma isn’t as bad as COPD in most cases, though mine when bad is but asthma is something that inflames when COPD is a deteriorating problem. My diagnosis came after 11 nights on a respiratory ward surrounded by people with chronic lung issues, mostly COPD. Ive never smoked in my life and for those who do some time on such a ward will scare the shizzle out of you.

It is horrible OP and you will have to make some serious life changes. My advice is get some lung therapy. Your GP should be able to advise and I am told this can really help get your COPD to be far less intrusive. Stop smoking and also ensure if you have an open fire or wood burner it is properly ventilated as this is a trigger AND cause of COPD in some areas of the world too.

I’m able to control my issue with drugs and inhalers so can live with my asthma without it impacting me. If it does get out of control however it can be horrible and life threatening. It has caused me to have to get off a flight in the past and having seen how COPD impacts others it would scare me. However, change your lifestyle and get some lung training and your life will be much better and for much of the time normal!

Good luck

 

[Jonnybmac]

This is whats bad a about nhs gp’s making assumptions when something is not plainly obvious. It has been and can be disastrous.

In their defense for every one genuine person there is probably 2 or more that aren't genuine but have phantom/exaggerated symptoms.

 

[Beerbaron]

I totally agree, as a smoker, or can now say ex smoker, you do go through life thinking it will never happen to you, until it does, thankfully mine isn't at the serious level yet, she said mild to moderate, its a scare, its a scare and a half, there's no cure for it, you can slow its progression with exercise and changing your lifestyle, its hard to describe, I guess if other COPD sufferers get involved in this thread they could probably confirm what im about to say…….im breathing, I can feel my lungs filling up with air, and breathing out, but at the same time it doesn't feel like im getting any oxygen, almost like im partly suffocating, I have good days now and what I would consider as bad day...….some days im puffing on the inhaler 5 to 10 times a day, it only seems to clear my airways for 30mins at a time, other days like today, ive not used it at all and its only been a week of diagnosis so far.

I would have thought some of this is due to you stopping smoking and clearing the tar out of your lungs etc. Hopefully things will improve somewhat over time. As mentioned exercise might be a good way to strengthen your lungs.

 

[Kronos]

My late partner had stage 4 COPD with only 35% lung function left, her reward for smoking mine was throat cancer.
COPD is a manageable condition provided you have the correct support. Initially it came from a nurse who to be honest was overworked and I felt out of her depth and it was only when Edie had her first exacerbation, which is basically a chest infection which can be highly dangerous. I called the Dr in and she referred Edie to our health boards respiratory specialists who came to the house. Edie was put on antibiotics and steroids which were also on a repeat prescription and we always kept a course of the drugs at home.

Unfortunately she contracted pneumonia which with only 35% lung capacity she was unable to get enough oxygen into her system and it killed her.

It is a quite scary condition but dependent on severity quite manageable of course it will impact on your life as you will no longer be able to absorb all the oxygen you need, so physical movement, stair climbing and just walking become difficult.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

The crazy part is 3 years ago I went to my old doctor with breathing difficulties, who asked me if I smoked, I said yes, and he pretty much said, give up, man up, and get out of my surgery,

The crazy part is that he was right.

 

[stockhausen]

When you complained of breathing difficulties, your Doctor asked if you smoked, you said Yes, and he pretty much said "Give up, man up, and get out of my surgery" (Incidentally, I very much doubt he expressed it in anything like those terms, unfortunately, GPs simply don't dare to be so blunt, honest and straightforward these days.).

• Did you immediately give up smoking?
• For how long had you been smoking?
• Have you ever read the warning on the cancer stick packet?

Sorry, but tales such as this make me weep for the NHS - and the (health) education system.

 

[Hagar]

I have COPD (long term smoker, now stopped) and apart from breathlessness if I climb several flights of stairs quickly, I have few other symptoms. I cycle several miles a day and aim to keep fairly fit. I have been provided with a blue inhaler which I do not need to use but keep just in case. My lung function is 60+% and is not too bad when considering age also.

I am 66 now and retired, I obviously do regret the tobacco consumption, and the COPD restricts some activities that I might have continued with in retirement. I would suggest not worrying too much but keep fit, not putting on weight or reducing weight if overweight now.

 

[Housey]

They should come up with a tag line or something...

"Smoking kills" might work?

OP take this as your belated wake up call. If you don't you will ruin the rest of your life and if you do and make the appropriate changes probably live pretty much a normal life. It is very much in your hands frankly, but try and focus on the positive aspects of life from this point forward and work out what you plan to spend the extra cash on you no longer burn.