C.O.P.D Yes, I believe!

Canada
May 1, 2009 12:16pm CST
A number of years back, I was diagnosed with C.O.P.D.; I didn't believe it. For years my doctor would ask me if I have shortness of breath and I NEVER did so I'd tell him "no", and he'd ask, "are you sure?" Well, of course I was sure, why would I hide something like that from my doctor. Anyhow, he gave prescribed an inhaler type device (round, white and purplish color, releases a fine mist), with instructions to use it as needed. I carried it around for a few months and never "needed" it. Fast forward a bunch of years. While at the allergists office for testing, he gave me a computerized breathing stress test (I'm not sure exactly what it's called). Anyhow, afterwards, he told me I had C.O.P.D and handed me a package with an inhaler and several nozzles in different sizes. He instructed me to use the inhaler several times a day "as needed" and to gradually increase the size of the nozzle until I get to the largest size. This process should have taken several weeks of treatment. Again, I didn't use the device because I never "needed" it. There was nothing wrong with my breathing and there were no symptoms that I had to watch for. Now, my breathing is very labored often for no apparent reason and whatever symptoms I should have had before, I'm just finally sensing now. I'm afraid to tell the doctor that I'm having breathing problems because it's just one more thing added to the growing list of maladies -- and I'm embarrassed that all my well-being, health and nutrition classes have gone to waste. I have a doctor's appointment next week for the sudden dizzy spells I had last week for 3 or 4 days... I'm not sure if I should also mention the breathing thing, the weakened vision, the pains that won't go away and the headache. Chin up old girl, don't let the years defeat you!
6 responses
@beachstarz (1092)
• United States
1 May 09
A doctor told me I had COPD years ago also . I never really thought I had it either , till it got worse and worse . Finally I quit my smoking and started feeling much better . They say that the dammage from COPD can't be reversed but I feel 90 percent better .. I can breath now and I'm not coughing half the night. I have never had weakened vision , pains, headache or dizzy spells from it though . Tell the doctor everything . they won't get a true idea of what is wrong unless you do . Always tell everything , let us know how it turns out , okay? I hope you feel better real soon !
• United States
1 May 09
Hey There Ladybug , I didn't see ya there .. I hope you are doing well !
• United States
2 May 09
hi beachstarz. I am doing fairly well. how are you doing?
• United States
3 May 09
If I was you I would tell your doctor everything that is bothering you and I would tell him what you just wrote. Because, all of these symptoms could lead up to one thing that they could fix. But, if you only tell them some of the symptoms then they might thing it is something else and not fix the right thing. So, then you have the same thing happening. Just let him fix the right thing by giving all the information that way you can get it done and over with the first time. **Peace and Love get's you through everything in life**
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
1 May 09
you should defenatly tell your doctor. I too was told that I had COPD and did not believe it. that was 15 years ago. 2 years ago I had a dr. appointment and at the time I had a really bad upper respiratory illness. (bronchitis,sinus,strep throat) well the doctor did a breathing test and said that I have emphasema, still I didnt believe her I thought it was just because of my illness, a year later she did a breathing test and said that it was alot better than the first and I told myself that i was right I dont have empasema. now I have shortness of breath all of the time, I dont even have to do alot. I have had 5 extreemly severe breathing attacks and I also get dizzy spells and I think it is either from the lack of oxgen or from the inhailer. If you tell your doctor he can also do a blood oxygen level test. good luck friend.
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
1 May 09
My mother-in-law also has C.O.P.D. She is on 3 inhalers a day for it. Her breathing is great now considering she is 82 yrs old. Your doctor gave you those for a reason, even if you feel fine still please take them. It will slow down any future breathing difficulties, and possibly the desease. If you are feeling dizzy and getting headaches then your blood oxygen levels are low. You need to get your doctor to do a blood test for that too.
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
1 May 09
You may want to tell him about all of it because it is probably related. Let your doctor also know that you didn't take the medicine because you never felt the need and you felt fine. If he starts lecturing let him know your body is just now giving you the symptoms he said you should have been feeling then. It doesn't necessarily mean your old it means something isn't right in your body and the only way you may be able to correct it is with medicine. You should tell him all of it and don't leave anything out because he can't make an accurate assessment of all of it without knowing it.
• China
2 May 09
COPD is a frequently encountered disease in the olders.it can't be revised .the best result is that you keep yourself in a good situation which you will feel no shotness of breathing.and you shoud care much more about your health.cold ,smoke ,drink may bacome the induction factors. by the way,my english is not so good ,sometimes i do't kown how to express my opinions.if there is a mistake,welcome to point out,thanks