Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Here’s a free collection of resources about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Survey

We’re surveying people about their experiences with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Here will be a collection of their responses.

*This information is not meant to replace medical advice, and the information gathered via surveys may or may not be correct. Hopefully it will be helpful to you!

*Response format = Answer (Name, Age)

**Click here to share your experience with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease**

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Symptoms

What symptoms have you experienced?

Shortness of breath and cough. (Colette, 53 years old)
Shortness of breath and chest discomfort. (Elise, 54 years old)
Shortness of breath. (Marcus, 59 years old)
Dizzy, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, cold all the time, sleeplessness and muscle soreness. (Paula, 61 years old)
Very short of breath..I’m stage 4 on oxygen 24/7. (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Causes

Is there anything you believe contributed to or caused your Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Smoking. (Colette, 53 years old)
Smoking. (Elise, 54 years old)
Alpha 1 Antitrypsin, industrial issues, and smoking. (Marcus, 59 years old)
Pollution, pollen and cigarette smoke. (Paula, 61 years old)
Yes..smoked for 40 years, bartender- so second-hand smoke also! (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Facts

What are some interesting facts about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

You don’t have to be a smoker to get it. (Colette, 53 years old)
Chest discomfort and shortness of breath. (Elise, 54 years old)
You have to go slow, you can’t use any sprays or perfumes- anything can set it off. (Paula, 61 years old)
1. The way it changes your life!
2. How important it is to follow your Doctor’s advice.
3. How important it is to stay away from people who are sick because they don’t stay away from you! (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pain Management

What’s your experience with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-related pain and pain relief?

I have pain in my lung and chest area and lower back from coughing. No pain relief has worked for me. (Colette, 53 years old)
Chest discomfort and gasping for air. For breathing treatments, I use an inhaler. (Elise, 54 years old)
Tylenol – I always have muscle aches and pains. (Paula, 61 years old)
When your lungs burn and hurt, you are usually getting an infection. Go to your Pulmonary Dr before it gets too bad! (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Difficulties

What are the hardest aspects of living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Having no energy and constantly coughing. (Colette, 53 years old)
Not being able to bathe, dress, do household chores and the list goes on. (Elise, 54 years old)
I live in an air conditioned bubble – I rarely leave the house as I do not have portable oxygen. (Marcus, 59 years old)
You are limited to what you can do – due to shortness of breath – you can not go anywhere for long periods of time. (Paula, 61 years old)
Giving up a lot of things you use to do and having to stay home a lot! Feeling scared and helpless! (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Advice

What encouragement/advice can you give others who experience Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Never, never, never start smoking. (Colette, 53 years old)
Stop smoking if you smoke. (Elise, 54 years old)
Get fit – eat well and avoid carbs / sugar / processed foods / lose weight &=and of course give up smoking. (Marcus, 59 years old)
Stay positive – focus on what you can do not what you can not do – take your time to do anything. (Paula, 61 years old)
Get a Pulmonary Dr, they help you more then your General Dr. Stay away from strong odors, like cleaning supplies, perfumes, etc. (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Diet and Exercise

What’s been your experience with diet and exercise?

I walk and walk, and try to eat right and drink lots of water. (Colette, 53 years old)
Eat small healthy portions and healthy food. (Elise, 54 years old)
It’s the answer to everything – I go to lung rehab for two sessions a week for two hours each – I follow a low carb low fat diet and I always shine whine I follow that (I have chronic fluid retention as well). (Marcus, 59 years old)
Have a healthy diet, and exercise as much as your body allows. (Paula, 61 years old)
Hard to exercise when it takes your breath away easily! Walking is good exercise, but take it slow! (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatments

What’s been your experience with treatments (medication, surgery, etc.)?

Two inhalers so far. (Colette, 53 years old)
Breathing in a nebulizer, inhalers and maybe a lung transplant now. (Elise, 54 years old)
Medications help to breath – many such as Ace inhibitors leave you short of breath. (Marcus, 59 years old)
Inhalers make me shake and steroids keep me from sleeping – I don’t do surgery. (Paula, 61 years old)
Inhalers are a must! Use a nebulizer machine as needed! (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Recommendations

Anything you’d recommend for someone with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Do not smoke. Do not smoke. (Colette, 53 years old)
Stop smoking, exercise, drink water and eat healthier. (Elise, 54 years old)
Stay away from harsh chemicals and sprays, take your time. (Paula, 61 years old)
Stop smoking asap! (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Resources

What specific resources have you found most helpful?

I have found a page on Facebook that has individual stories that have been beneficial for me. (Colette, 53 years old)
Lung rehab. (Marcus, 59 years old)
Vitamin D3 – essential oils – mucinex – probiotics. (Paula, 61 years old)
Groups on Facebook! (Donna, 78 years old)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Stories

Share an experience you’ve had related to living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Pneumonia, flu and lung infections. (Elise, 54 years old)
I was at the eye doctor – they put the drops in the eyes to dilate them – he started the test and something didn’t feel right – next thing I know I am going into AFib right in the chair. Yep, you guessed, another trip by ambulance – my meds reacted to the drops in a bad way. I don’t suggest you try it. No fun. (Paula, 61 years old)
If you get short of breath, can’t hold bladder! Make sure you take spare canisters with you when you go somewhere, running out away from home is dangerous! (Donna, 78 years old)