Connect
← Return to COPD Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others
Discussion
COPD Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Last Active: Mar 29, 2023 | Replies (86)Comment receiving replies
My name is Bob. I am 62. I got covid right out of the gate in 2020. It landed in my chest hard. I was sick for three months. Went to the doctor and they gave me antibiotics, which did nothing. In December of 2020 I came down with pneumonia. I was hospitalized for a week, almost died. Had bilateral thorasentesis performed. I have severe scarring in my lungs and pleural adhesions in my chest as a result of my illnesses.
Last October I had a PFT. The results indicated I now have Stage 2 COPD.
I have an active life. I exercise aggressively every week. It’s not easy. Everyone says I look great. I’m not great. I have pain in my chest from the adhesions, I don’t have anything near the lung capacity that I had before, I cough a lot and I seem very prone to viral and bacterial infections now in my head and chest. My lungs are a mess. I have periodic episodes of not being able to taste or smell, raspy throat and slight brain fog. Only lasts a a matter of hours at a time. Weird.
My doctors really don’t have much to offer. They think I’m doing fine. I use an albuterol inhaler and take montelukast daily.
Are there any other treatments available that would help rehabilitate or just stabilize my lungs?
Replies to "My name is Bob. I am 62. I got covid right out of the gate in..."
Connect
Welcome @pickleballbob and @ray420
Bob, it must be frustrating to hear from others that you look great, but know that you're not doing well. You asked about treatments to rehabilitate or stabilize your lungs. Have you ever considered Lung Rehab?
Here's some info about Mayo Clinic's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pulmonary-rehabilitation-program/overview/ovc-20398578
Many facilities offer rehab progams.
Ray, I agree with your assessment about the institute being a scam. Several members have also come to that conclusion. It can be really difficult to tell which stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine practices are effective and which institutions are offering evidence-based proven therapies.
To help people learn more about the proven therapies and the promise of developing therapies, Mayo Clinic offers a free telephone consult service. When you call the consult service, they will tell you about the availability of approved stem cell therapy at Mayo Clinic and elsewhere, and for what conditions. They can also tell you about research studies that are actively recruiting participants. Furthermore, you can add your name to a database to be notified when additional studies and information become available. You can learn more about the Consult Service here http://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/patient-care/clinical-services/regenerative-medicine-consult-service.
Or call 1-844-276-2003 to speak with one of Mayo's experts.
Lung regeneration is an area of focus at Mayo Clinic's Regenerative Medicine Program (https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/focus-areas/lung-regeneration) but it is still early days.