1. < Lung Health

Copd, pulmonary fibrosis, mac bacterial infection and honeycomb lung

Posted by tmmmrlts @tmmmrlts, Jan 7, 2019

My husband has been diagnosed with all four of these and I just want to understand more about what is to be expected. And what I can do to help.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.

tmmmrlts | @tmmmrlts | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@tmmmrlts- Oh my. I'm tongue tied. Can you go to counseling?" + (show)
@merpreb

@tmmmrlts- Oh my. I'm tongue tied. Can you go to counseling?

Jump to this post

I have tried to get him to and he refuses

REPLY
baz10 | @baz10 | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @tmmmrlts "I have been trying to get my husband to go to er or urgent care and..." + (show)
@tmmmrlts

I have been trying to get my husband to go to er or urgent care and he hasn't yet. I'm just trying to get through this. But it is hard with him. He is hurting in his chest on his left side and he gets out of breath to easy. He goes outside and he gets sick from the cold I don't know what makes that happen. He also throws up most of the time when he eats. I'm at a loss for what to do.

Jump to this post

Does your husband wear a "surgical" mask when going out into the cold air? It helps me tremendously. Also does the doc have him on medicine for acid reflux? That was one of the first meds that the lung doc put me on. He said that the acid reflux can "splash" over and injure the lungs. Blessings to you.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @baz10 "Does your husband wear a "surgical" mask when going out into the cold air? It helps..." + (show)
@baz10

Does your husband wear a "surgical" mask when going out into the cold air? It helps me tremendously. Also does the doc have him on medicine for acid reflux? That was one of the first meds that the lung doc put me on. He said that the acid reflux can "splash" over and injure the lungs. Blessings to you.

Jump to this post

@baz10- Even a ski mask!

REPLY
baz10 | @baz10 | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @tmmmrlts "He is tired of hurting and being sick all the time. He has back and neck..." + (show)
@tmmmrlts

He is tired of hurting and being sick all the time. He has back and neck problems and a pinched nerve in his back and the neurologist and back dr said he wasn't a good candidate for back surgery this was back in 2011 and now they won't because of his lungs. I think it also has to do with losing our daughter, back in 08 he really hasn't been the same. He is scared to eat sometimes because he throws it up. He has told me the only reason he is living is for his 4 children and 7 grandchildren and not for me.

Jump to this post

Sounds like depression has a great deal to do with your husbands feeling so unworthy of living. I facilitated a depression support group for over 6 years and the people who attended were so grateful for someplace to vent that didn't cost anything. Also an exercise program on PBS each morning called Functional Fitness is a great place for your husband to get a bit of exercise (you too). There are normally 3 people doing different levels of exercise and occasionally there is an exercise for those of us who have COPD and it has helped me tremendously. If he can only do 2 minutes to start with, that is an accomplishment! Since he is not normally one to sit and do nothing, this might be something that he will consider doing. Blessings~~

REPLY
tmmmrlts | @tmmmrlts | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @baz10 "Does your husband wear a "surgical" mask when going out into the cold air? It helps..." + (show)
@baz10

Does your husband wear a "surgical" mask when going out into the cold air? It helps me tremendously. Also does the doc have him on medicine for acid reflux? That was one of the first meds that the lung doc put me on. He said that the acid reflux can "splash" over and injure the lungs. Blessings to you.

Jump to this post

@baz10 yes he has tried wearing a mask and yes he is on omeprazole for acid reflux

REPLY
tmmmrlts | @tmmmrlts | Jan 13, 2019

Today makes 30 hours without cigarettes. For both of us. Hopefully we can keep it up.

REPLY
4 replies
tmmmrlts | @tmmmrlts | Jan 13, 2019
In reply to @baz10 "Does your husband wear a "surgical" mask when going out into the cold air? It helps..." + (show)
@baz10

Does your husband wear a "surgical" mask when going out into the cold air? It helps me tremendously. Also does the doc have him on medicine for acid reflux? That was one of the first meds that the lung doc put me on. He said that the acid reflux can "splash" over and injure the lungs. Blessings to you.

Jump to this post

@baz10 Is there a difference in the mask they give you as a visitor and a surgical mask

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 13, 2019
In reply to @tmmmrlts "@baz10 Is there a difference in the mask they give you as a visitor and a..." + (show)
@tmmmrlts

@baz10 Is there a difference in the mask they give you as a visitor and a surgical mask

Jump to this post

@baz10 There are different ratings for surgical masks. If you are trying to stop dust and allergens, a good mask for this is the #1820 Procedure mask from 3M. It has greater than 99% bacterial filtration efficiency @ 0.1 micron particles and the box says it helps reduce exposure to blood and body fluids, and minimizes patient contamination to exhaled microorganisms. They are latex free and have ear loops instead of ties and are comfortable. I bought these because I have asthma and they help a lot since this is equivalent to a HEPA filter. They have masks just like this for surgeons with ties instead of ear loops. The ties would make it more snug on your face, but ear loops are easier and more comfortable. I bought them online from Walmart.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 14, 2019
In reply to @tmmmrlts "Today makes 30 hours without cigarettes. For both of us. Hopefully we can keep it up." + (show)
@tmmmrlts

Today makes 30 hours without cigarettes. For both of us. Hopefully we can keep it up.

Jump to this post

@tmmmrlts- Hi Hip Hooray! Wonderful, terrific, you can do this! We've got your back! You will feel so much better!

REPLY
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 14, 2019
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@baz10 There are different ratings for surgical masks. If you are trying to stop dust and..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@baz10 There are different ratings for surgical masks. If you are trying to stop dust and allergens, a good mask for this is the #1820 Procedure mask from 3M. It has greater than 99% bacterial filtration efficiency @ 0.1 micron particles and the box says it helps reduce exposure to blood and body fluids, and minimizes patient contamination to exhaled microorganisms. They are latex free and have ear loops instead of ties and are comfortable. I bought these because I have asthma and they help a lot since this is equivalent to a HEPA filter. They have masks just like this for surgeons with ties instead of ear loops. The ties would make it more snug on your face, but ear loops are easier and more comfortable. I bought them online from Walmart.

Jump to this post

Jennifer- This is great news, thank you. I'm going to look into this for myself!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.