Just found out last night that my 62 yr old mother has this. She's been a smoker for years, overweight, doesn't exercise and hasn't been to the doctor in over 30 years.
She's had pneumonia for 2 weeks and was admitted to the hospital last night. She couldn't breathe and had no energy. The doctors are running more tests today. The CT scan came back with no clots in the lungs so that was great news. So, I need to know if anyone has this or knows someone who has this. What was the outcome? Can this condition be helped? What happens now?
I know the damage has been done (don't get me started on why she hasn't been to a doctor in 30 yrs), but I'm happy to say that she hasn't smoked in 2 weeks and has offically thrown out her cigarettes.
I'm scared for her and I know she needs to make changes with diet and all. This is all new to her and our family.
Thanks.
My Granddad was diagnosed at 72, and died of it at 90. It is not a death sentence, but it means you must not expose the lungs to irritants and pollutions. It also means that any cold or flu can cause death, so you get to the doctor ASAP.
**Adding to my response -- There is some really good info on the topic at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/ChronicOb... . It's from the California Public Health Dept.**
My father-in-law has COPD from working in the oil industry for so many years. My husband is a physician and has been helping to manage his father's COPD for a few years. When he has COPD exacerbation he usually needs a course of steroids and an antibiotic to combat it, but the condition is by no means a death sentence. He does moderate exercise (treadmill walking) and tries to avoid the cold (for this reason they moved to CA last year and his health has benefited from the move.)
He uses Advair and an albuterol inhaler on a regular basis.
Sorry, hubby is out of town at a conference right now, or I'd have some better input on this.
Hi Holly,
My Mom had this too.
Is the doctor recommending oxygen for her? It seems to me that at some point
anyone with COPD ends up using oxygen. Right now, I wouldn't worry so much about the COPD, but just getting her back on her feet after pnuemonia. It REALLY knocks you out and takes months to get back to feeling normal. (My mom also had pnuemonia, which is when they diagnosed her with COPD.)
Unfortunately, I don't think that there is anything you can do to reverse COPD.
Good luck. Try not to get too upset with your Mom. She came from a generation that just didn't know better.
My dad had COPD, which is better known as emphysema. It isn't a good diagnosis, but if she stops smoking she could manage it much better. My dad stopped smoking immediately when he found out. He was 65 when he was diagnosed. He was 72 when he passed away. He was a very heavy smoker and although the doctor said quitting would help immensely, it didn't in his case and the doctor was not sure why. If you quit, usually your lungs don't get worse. But they don't get better either. My dad also never exercised, never went to the doctor, etc. It's so sad to see them not take care of themselves. He eventually ended up on oxygen and then in a nursing home because he really couldn't move more than a few steps without totally losing his breath. It was very scary for him. I'm not trying to scare you or be negative, just telling you our story. Your mom, if she quits smoking and starts taking care of herself, could have a new lease on life! I hope she follows doctors' orders and does well. I'm sure she has the potential to do that! Take care and send me an e-mail if you want to know more.
