COPD

[ctg492]

Monday I am going with my 82 year old mom for pulmonary testing. She smoked for 10 years maybe in her 20s. She had been saying the coughing was allergies for the last 4 months. Now she is having a difficult time catching her breath. It sounds terrible. I have read and read about copd. Any advice on this would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Gardenarian]

I'm so sorry to hear this.
My mother had COPD as well (though she smoked for 45 years.) I hope your mom has a good respiratory therapist.
In retrospect, what would have helped my mom most probably would've been a personal trainer - someone to get her up and moving around every day. I think exercise is the most important component in slowing down COPD.

My mother dramatically worsened after an injury, so being really careful is important.
From what I've seen, once you're on CPAP and oxygen, it's downhill. What a horrible disease.

[catherine]

My mother also had COPD (emphysema), but like Gardenarian's mother, she smoked heavily for about 45 years.

There are bronchodilators and other medications that can help slow any progression of disease, if it is COPD. I do agree that physical exercise and breathing exercises can also help.

Good luck with the evaluation and keep us posted.

[Simpler at Fifty]

Have her checked for asthma to. My friend of 20 years has had COPD and finally a Dr went one more step and tested her for Asthma and she has it. She now uses an inhaler and feel better at 70 than she felt at 50. She also has sleep apnea. Her oxygen drops versus her stopping breathing often. Between the inhaler and the sleep mask, she looks and feels much better.

[CathyA]

I'm not sure its COPD. She hasn't been diagnosed with that yet, has she? Did she ever work in a place where there was alot of bad stuff in the air?
Hopefully they can diagnose it (whatever it is), and help her breathe better.

[ctg492]

Thank you everyone.
Well it was a different diagnosis. Sadly not good, pulmonary fibrosis. Oxygen 24/7.
I will be at every appointment with her. I have worked overtime this afternoon reading everything on the net. I have a call into a Breathers Club at the hospital for her. Exercise, support, groups. Mom is always positive outlook.
Me, between living 3+ hours away From mom, then the next day commuting 500 miles each way to see husband living in another state each week. Won't be much left of me, but I will do all I can. As we all do.

[Tussiemussies]

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Do they attribute it to smoking for only 10 years? Did they put her on breathing exercises? I see she has to be on oxygen full time. Hope she can still live somewhat of a good capacity of her life with this...

Your schedule sounds really tough right now. I hope things lighten up for you too. Take good care of yourself as much as you can so you don't wind up worn down. Chris