Okay boys and girls I am writing to hear myself talk and sinse that is mostly the case, today was my annual appointment at the VA Medical Center in OKC. Actually the VA sent me a card telling me to call for an appointment some months ago I am a COPD patient with the VA. Initially they wanted to see me every six months after my initial examination and a base appraisal of my condition was established. I've been going to this VA facility for six and one half years but to run up here and have them listen to my breathing and tell meThe only reason I do it is to get my medication renewed for the cfollowing year. I did talk them in to allowing me to come in only once a year but this time it has been slightly over six months since they have seen me. I had a new doctor. I thought I would get a cnew docctor this time so I made notes so my visit would be orderly, cover what questions I wanted answers to bring my new doctor up to speed as for as this patient is concerned. I had my blood pressure taken which was good, my blood oxygen looked at which was a little below the norm because of all the hassle getting up to the fourth floor, etc. but it rose up to norm in a short two or three minutes. The new doc listened to my breathing acsk me six or eight responsible questions which I answered.. The net result being they wanted another Pomanary Rehalbilition Couse which is an six or eight week primarily eercise workout to increase your resistance and general allow one to live a better life. I went through a three month PH nine years ago. At that time it worked wonders for me and you might say gve me a new lease on life. I declined this time. I'd have to go to OKC twice or three times a week and I can 't do that, can't get a way up there and I don't want to drive. Parking at the VA is impossible at the VA. It is a real hassle to my a parking place. I wouldn't go for that reason alone. I have decided to make an attempt at home I have a foot peddler which I can paddle. I can put up these exercise rubber bands so I can stretch on them. I'll work with those two items, see how it goes. I don't have room to add any other equipment. And I have other health issuesthat make me not want to go all out. For the last three months I have been lightheaded almost ever day or most of the day. Its not interear and may be due to difference scin blood pressure lying, sitting and standing up. I had a bunch of blood work today which wikk seek an answer. Any\way lungs are my big thing and today I got that appointment out odf the way. Now I am free xto move about the country. How was yoiur day?
@Bill Boggs "How was your day?" Certainly not as eventful as yours, Bill. I know full-well what breathing problems are like. In 2005, it got so that I could not exhale, using Albuterol inhaler, went to an Allergy Specialist, had the tests done on both arms, negative, she claimed I had Childhood Asthma which had returned. Never had a stitch of breathing trouble ever before, so went to a Pulmonary Specialist. He said I had "thickening of the left ventricular wall (heart). Wrote him off too. My regular Dr. finally proclaimed Emphysema. I knew the thing I had would go away, suspected yeast infection in lungs, I kept wheezing, coughing, spitting, swearing, walking our road everyday, and in a year, it was gone! My Dr. listened, said my lungs were "clear". I said I know, the "Emphysema" had gone away. That's not possible. He just shrugged. I am very fortunate to have never smoked; that killed my sister at 65. Breathing OK even with the flu! Frank
I admire your initiative and your fortitude Bill and hope your test results lead to treatment that will ease your symptoms and enable you to lead the lifestyle you desire ... Good luck
Yeah, some of us didn't know it was bad for us till it had about done us in.I'm doing okay. Have to watch my P's and Q's and think out what I'm going to do but you keep on keeping on I reckon.
Up until 6 years ago, I was a heavy smoker ... my wheezing used to keep me awake at night, it was so bad ... had lung tests etc and wasn't very surprised when results showed reduced capacity for my age ...Dr diagnosed COPD but I carried on with the fags regardless ( nicotine addict) anyway, I stopped working same year as my oh was ill and needed full time care,( putting him in residential care wasn't an option I'd ever consider) but it meant that I could no longer afford to smoke so I switched to vaping ... within 7 days my wheezing was gone . I went back a year later for check up, lo and behold! clear lungs .. mind boggling ... thought COPD was incurable? Stll vaping and never felt better
@May Benot What a most wonderful, and heart-felt tale! As I told elsewhere, my COPD was curable, but not caused by smoking, but rather lung infection. At any rate, you seem to have transitioned successfully into a new and different person, don't you feel it that way? Vaping is not without hazard. If you can successfully drive yourself away from nicotine, you are to be heartily commended! Frank
Oh, I still have my nicotine, import it from the US, can't buy in Aus. Hypocrites want vaping banned while allowing proven cancer causing fags to be sold at the corner shop, go figure! it's all about the money .... big pharma can sell their nicotine loaded sprays and inhalers at exorbitant prices but pensioners ( and others who don't wish to use tar filled tobacco products) may be banned from using vaporisers Phht!
9 weeks ago today I almost died. After 50 years of smoking I have quit. Can no longer tolerate the smell- makes me gag of all things. I have done very good on my own and do not wish for one except during a crisis. I wear a red rubber band on my left wrist I snap it when I reach for the imaginary pack. Last week had tests.. plumonary ones done pretty sure results were not great. Today I am up but can have no coffee or food..or meds because I have medical stress today at ten today. I will be so glad to get this over with and move forward- and hopefully without more pills or procedures to be done. CHF...and a few other things suffered 9 weeks ago today....remind as to why I will never smoke again.
Probably COPD and emphysema are triggers for me...my mom died of respiratory issues and I was a smoker...quit about 9 yrs ago but then my mom quit in her early 40's but still got it.
What is normal oxygen level? @Bill Boggs Mine used to be 99 at drs but lately it's been 98 but it fluctuates and the nurse just grabs it off my cold fingers. I started smoking when I was 26 (stupid) and quit 9 yrs ago...but towards the end and my 6 yrs in Hungary I smoked too much. I could look it up but then I would run across a bunch of info that might scare me...so...not gonna do it.
@Bill Boggs I hope all of your blood work comes out just fine and that you will be able to do those exercises at home to help your lungs. Congratulations to everyone who has been able to quit smoking. Most of you know how much I want my husband to quit smoking too and I'll never give up hoping and praying I will see that day come for him. In the meantime I just keep loving him for the good husband he is to me. I am thankful that my allergies/asthma problems have improved tremendously since I've aged and know how to manage them better now. It's no fun having respiratory problems no matter what the cause.
@Gloria Mitchell Gosh, I didn't know. You reacted similarly to my Dad's when he quit; the smell and sight of a cigarette was nauseating to him. Maybe that's a good thing. He took to chewing gum instead. The rubber band idea- I like that! Do not become more crisis-conscious now, as a means to a (dead) end. Best of luck! Frank