My breathing

Hi - I get it...we all do. And I have come to realize that no one can truly understand unless they have COPD or some other lung condition that causes the SOB, the fatigue, congestion, etc. etc. etc. And many of us don't look sick, or that sick. I'm mostly glad for that, but it puzzles people. Occasionally, I do need to remind folks, which I don't like but it's necessary if they are thinking I can do some things that I either can't, or will be very slow. Yes, I sure wish that everyone could understand, mostly because I don't want to have to explain myself, to field questions, etc. In fact, I don't like to focus on it when I don't have to. I would rather put my attention on what makes me smile, when I possibly can!

Well put Kathleen, Your point about others not understanding your condition is relevant in many situations . The changes and ailments are within us and are not easily seen or understood by others . I call them “the unlearned”. I get 2nd hand comments like , “She doesn’t look sick to me” or “ Why is she acting so so needy?” “ Oh, I think this is exadurated.” I have chosen to ignore the feedback . I have (many years back )developed a “round file” in the back of my brain . I dump things into it and move on. Sometimes my silly mind tries to recall some of it . I find that if it has been in that file over three days I can’t dig it out. And as you, I insist on a warm happy existence. Happiness, and beautiful things like nature are my choices.

Yes I have a pulmonoligist and like you . I like his personality and he is very knowledgable too.He will probably do a scan of your lungs .blood work and a spyrometer test .Please let me know what he tells you.I can't spell either

Morning. Thanks for replying. I plan on calling the pulmonologist after the first of the year. My husband has chemo treatments and a brain scan coming up so i will wait until those appts are over with. Have a good day.

Please let me know what he tells you and prayers for your husband I hope he does good thank you

Good morning Denise - Knowing how long it takes to get a non-emergency appointment, maybe you would like to schedule yours now? Then you are ready to go when your husband's next round of treatments finish.
When I called to schedule with my pulmonologist last week, they offered me an appointment in July!

Thank you.

New referrals to any physician, regardless of clinical expertise, should be done ASAP to determine the seriousness or "this isn't so bad" and can wait longer. And definitely not assessed by an NP first. Or the physician can assess and then assign to the most experienced NP according to symptoms. There should be NO autonomy among NP and/or PA's

Jenniesmiler & others on this thread.
I hear you Jenniesmiler. I'm 58 with COPD. I quit smoking after 25 years of it. I smoked hard so got myself a pretty good case of emphysema.
It's pretty tricky emotionally to face health issues that your friends aren't facing. I think you're brave going on this discussion group. It's a first step in making new friends that fit your current situation. I encourage you at whatever age to keep reaching out and reinventing your life and friendship base. It might be hard but could be very worth it. I would really not like to think that because you can't keep up with some friends who have more energy that you start to give up on doing things and sit home thinking about how you're not doing things. You can keep your current friends and try to limit your interactions with them to things that energetically you can manage and make new friends for the times when you can't be with them. It could be that you could find someone nearby who would like to share in a gentle activity that would be both healthy, fun interesting etc.. for you. Good luck with all this!! You might consider looking for someone who is in a similar situation as you.

Excellent advice, thank you Good luck Jennie!