1. < COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

What is the life expectancy with COPD? When did you start Oxygen?

Posted by tinagf @tinagf, Jun 15, 2022

Hi. My mom, 73 years, has COPD (bronial and emphisema) for 30 years, now she has: lung function 63%, FVC 46%, FEV1 38% which I guess is stage 3 heading to stage 4, not on oxgen yet, kCO 47%. She is 170 cm and 68 kg, she can walk for 500 m and then stops a little.

How much time do we got cca? 🙁
Thank you
Tina

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tinagf | @tinagf | Jul 19, 2022

I read about EP395 (phase II results will be in 2023), Jadicells, and Mayo has some, I think I read results will be around 30.6.2023..

REPLY
tinagf | @tinagf | Jul 19, 2022
In reply to @dealmejacks1 "I smoked for over 50 years when I was diagnosed with COPD. I tried Chantix but..." + (show)
@dealmejacks1

I smoked for over 50 years when I was diagnosed with COPD. I tried Chantix but ended up going back to smoking after a few months. My doctor recommended I try Varenicline 1mg. I believe it is generic chantix. You can smoke until it starts working and It took about 3 days to kick in and I haven't had many yearnings. When I do have one I take an extra 1mg tablet and the urge to smoke fades away in about 20 minutes. Tell her all us former smokers find it difficult to quit but we need to just bite the bullet and keep trying.

Jump to this post

Thank you... I will tell her :*******

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 19, 2022
In reply to @tinagf "Now I measured her saturation when still, is 93%... when does a man get oxygen?" + (show)
@tinagf

Now I measured her saturation when still, is 93%... when does a man get oxygen?

Jump to this post

Hi Tina. I believe the trick to figuring out if one needs oxygen supplementation (besides talking to your dr), is to test the oxygen level while walking for 6 minutes with your pulse oxometer. If C02 falls below 88, and the heart rate goes higher, then it is time to ask your dr if it is time to go on oxygen. I am ok when I am seated to watch tv or eat a meal, but as soon as I get up and walk any amount; my C02 levels drop drastically. I reported this to my dr and was prescribed oxygen 24/7, basically. Remember, you cannot go strictly by what the c02 sats are, but also need to keep on eye on heart rate. Higher heartrate can indicate that the heart is compensating for the lungs. It beats faster to supply the lungs with additional oxygen. I hope this helps.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 19, 2022
In reply to @tinagf "She doesnt have any symptoms of any kind only if she walks upstairs 32 steps or..." + (show)
@tinagf

She doesnt have any symptoms of any kind only if she walks upstairs 32 steps or walks longer she gets trouble breathing.
The biggest problem is she cannot stop smoking she tried.
When you get on oxgen is that stage4?

Jump to this post

Tina, my sister, a smoker of 40+ years was able to quit by going to a hypnotist. It was the only thing that ever worked for her after so many failed attempts.

REPLY
1 reply
tinagf | @tinagf | Jul 19, 2022
In reply to @windwalker "Hi Tina. I believe the trick to figuring out if one needs oxygen supplementation (besides talking..." + (show)
@windwalker

Hi Tina. I believe the trick to figuring out if one needs oxygen supplementation (besides talking to your dr), is to test the oxygen level while walking for 6 minutes with your pulse oxometer. If C02 falls below 88, and the heart rate goes higher, then it is time to ask your dr if it is time to go on oxygen. I am ok when I am seated to watch tv or eat a meal, but as soon as I get up and walk any amount; my C02 levels drop drastically. I reported this to my dr and was prescribed oxygen 24/7, basically. Remember, you cannot go strictly by what the c02 sats are, but also need to keep on eye on heart rate. Higher heartrate can indicate that the heart is compensating for the lungs. It beats faster to supply the lungs with additional oxygen. I hope this helps.

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Oooh this reealy helps.a lot tnx. I will give her.this.meter and see how much it drops.

REPLY
tinagf | @tinagf | Jul 19, 2022
In reply to @windwalker "Tina, my sister, a smoker of 40+ years was able to quit by going to a..." + (show)
@windwalker

Tina, my sister, a smoker of 40+ years was able to quit by going to a hypnotist. It was the only thing that ever worked for her after so many failed attempts.

Jump to this post

Thank you we will try ❤

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jul 20, 2022
In reply to @windwalker "Hi Tina. I believe the trick to figuring out if one needs oxygen supplementation (besides talking..." + (show)
@windwalker

Hi Tina. I believe the trick to figuring out if one needs oxygen supplementation (besides talking to your dr), is to test the oxygen level while walking for 6 minutes with your pulse oxometer. If C02 falls below 88, and the heart rate goes higher, then it is time to ask your dr if it is time to go on oxygen. I am ok when I am seated to watch tv or eat a meal, but as soon as I get up and walk any amount; my C02 levels drop drastically. I reported this to my dr and was prescribed oxygen 24/7, basically. Remember, you cannot go strictly by what the c02 sats are, but also need to keep on eye on heart rate. Higher heartrate can indicate that the heart is compensating for the lungs. It beats faster to supply the lungs with additional oxygen. I hope this helps.

Jump to this post

Teri- Do you need it when you are in bed or lying down?

REPLY
1 reply
stephanie101 | @stephanie101 | Aug 11, 2022
In reply to @tinagf "She doesnt have any symptoms of any kind only if she walks upstairs 32 steps or..." + (show)
@tinagf

She doesnt have any symptoms of any kind only if she walks upstairs 32 steps or walks longer she gets trouble breathing.
The biggest problem is she cannot stop smoking she tried.
When you get on oxgen is that stage4?

Jump to this post

I know this stop smoking well with my Husband. I will say this, he got put on a Trach because of Larynx Cancer Radiation complications and he stopped smoking the day it was put in after 47 years of smoking. 6/6/22. Sorry and so many prayers for you and your Mom.

REPLY
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Aug 20, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Teri- Do you need it when you are in bed or lying down?" + (show)
@merpreb

Teri- Do you need it when you are in bed or lying down?

Jump to this post

Merry, I only get into my bed with the intention of going to sleep after a little tv time. I always put the oxygen on so that I can fall asleep with it as I need it throughout the night. The only time I am off of oxygen is briefly at the dinner table either eating or playing board games, or sitting on couch watching tv. If I feel like I need it while seated, then I use it.

REPLY
caryjay | @caryjay | Apr 19, 2023
In reply to @dealmejacks1 "I smoked for over 50 years when I was diagnosed with COPD. I tried Chantix but..." + (show)
@dealmejacks1

I smoked for over 50 years when I was diagnosed with COPD. I tried Chantix but ended up going back to smoking after a few months. My doctor recommended I try Varenicline 1mg. I believe it is generic chantix. You can smoke until it starts working and It took about 3 days to kick in and I haven't had many yearnings. When I do have one I take an extra 1mg tablet and the urge to smoke fades away in about 20 minutes. Tell her all us former smokers find it difficult to quit but we need to just bite the bullet and keep trying.

Jump to this post

Try Wellbutrin... that worked well for me, the generic... the key is to take that and smoke only 2 cigarettes a day, one in the morning and one at night, before you go to bed.. than after a month or two, get rid of the one you at night, by that time your nicotine level has dropped 90 percent of you were formally a pack a day smoker... and you are almost there. The withdrawal symptoms will almost be non existent... it took years of smoking to get here.. so it isn't like most people can just stop one day... It's a day at a time...this uses rewards... so you don't panic..I also kept the cigarette in my glove compartment of my car, so I physically had to go get one...I also got a vape pen and low level nicotine that I would hold onto when I was driving, which was a trigger and would take one or two puffs if I felt the need . much better than smoking a whole cigarette... I got rid of the one in the morning with my coffee after 2 months, that was the hardest one... and I haven't smoked since September of 2022... and have no desire to ever smoke again and can't stand the smell of cigarettes anymore.. good luck. Keep trying.

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