Living with COPD: Speaking from Experience- Early Days

Chapter 1 of RealTime Health's Living with COPD: Speaking From Experience
People living with COPD offer their first-hand experiences, discussing the early days of dealing with their condition.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a group of long term lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is the THIRD leading cause of death in the United States.
(C) RealTime Health LLC 2012

[@dougharris2875]

I am 53 with COPD never smoked, it sucks I can't function as a normal person. Every day is a struggle.

[@chrismullan7191]

how are you now.

[@mgenre555]

29yo - quit smoking after 15 years 4 days ago (light smoker ~4 - 6 a day) and am so thankful I did. Doctor told me my lungs are still in great shape so I hope I've prevented this as a possible outcome. This is what they should be teaching kids to scare them out of smoking...

[@BreatheCA]

Congratulations! Quitting can be one of the hardest but most rewarding things that you can do for yourself and your loved ones.

[@valentina4896]

29yo smoking 1-2 packs a day for 15 years. Cant seem to stop. How did you do it? I really need to stop!

[@mgenre555]

@@valentina4896 honestly, just went cold turkey and decided I was done… I also looked up every scary video I could telling me about what could happen if I kept smoking. Used my hypochondria to my advantage 😂. The first week or 2 is pretty shitty, then the cravings kind of subside but your lungs start to feel worse than when you were smoking… took about a month for the lungs to start feeling “normal” again

[@valentina4896]

@@mgenre555 yes i also have very bad hypohondria. But funny enough, it seems not to scare me enough what might happen to me if i dont stop. Last 4-5 days i feel short of breath here and there, mostly when i wake up. And it scares me to death. But i think its anxiety (been short of breath with every anxiety attack) or a cold. Still, i think cold turkey is the best way! Thanks for reply😊and happy for you that you stopped

[@mgenre555]

@@valentina4896 I had shortness of breath for a bout a month and it went away, I’ve heard anywhere from a month to 4 sometimes depending on how much you smoked is how long it could last… one thing I read is that cogs have bronchodilators in them which makes it easier to breath. Without getting that daily, it makes sense. Best of luck!

[@pbullman5226]

Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Most people don't want to believe that they have COPD, until it's too late.

[@etransform]

I didn't realize I had COPD till my routine checkup at KAISER revealed COPD. 13 years later I have learned to live within reduced limits of exercise; bur these limits are shrinking!!

[@BreatheCA]

It's good that you discovered it when you did! We know that there is currently no cure for COPD, but we hope that respiratory therapy, proper medication, and adaptations to your daily activities have all made a difference in your quality of life. Take care and keep doing what you need to do. :)

[@Danimal77]

The 3rd person (the guy) looked like he was at his last stage sadly.

[@christinabuckley5876]

Are these lovely people still alive

[@BreatheCA]

Hi, Christina. I certainly hope so, but we haven't been in contact with them in years. I think that the videos were made in 2006.

[@dc.pentrumesteri4893]

Well, 6 years ago we definitely died to be realistic

[@escallite]

They all live so long with copd and looks fine ??

[@dglshenry4]

I think I may have COPD.

[@annewoods3192]

I have copd my sister died 3 years 25 of feb through smoking it was not nice to see her fighting for breath

[@andreaberryman5354]

Same. It became obvious when I hit a brick wall trying to get back into jogging. Not out of shape that I could always push right through. No pushing through this. I am breathing fine-it's just no longer good now.

[@dimpulbaruah5979]

What your symptoms

[@suewright1299]

I was diagnosed with asthma and COPD in 2020 though I’m sure I’d had it for quite a few years before. My Dr and asthma never said a word, that’s what hurts me the most, I could have had a Spyrectomy about 10 years before and from there on asked to be referred for Pulmonary Rehab. PR was amazing, at last I was being told exactly what was wrong and what was involved, they taught me all the exercises which have done me a power of good!! I would advise everyone, no matter how bad your LFT you can help yourself so much with doing as much as your able. I look upon all the exercises I do as being ‘my friend’, there are so many COPD exercises here on YT and they’re amazing!

[@glovesoffofficial1382]

C.O.P.D is treated with meds THATS the problem..this might sound crazy BUT if you have a garden invest in a warm tent and make it comfortable then Try living in the tent for 24 hrs each 7 days..and see how your breathing is..by isolation away from your home you will 100% find out if your breathing improves..your eliminating all causes of lung irritants by your tent..I guarantee this will be a life changer!! So simple yet so effective

[@dc.pentrumesteri4893]

it would be good for these people to live me, the one that is impossible like that