Robert… I am on the high end of the moderate stage, I am also a Alpha1 (MW)……. have you ever been tested? You can get it done for free. Some days just standing at the counter helping the wife make a meal is a stretch.

@ppeschke, I understand how you feel and how frustrating it is for you. I, too, live alone. Unfortunately I have no family. I’ve started looking for someone to help me that I can afford before things get too bad. Good luck.

I have family but I think we are alone as the disease progresses. We have no outward signs of being ill. Family thinks I should walk more. I can’t breathe after a few steps. I have always loved to read and I can’t settle enough to get involved in a book. I seem to stare at the wall a lot. I get upset with me and my lack of drive. I am thankful for what I have. I do agree with each bout the illness progresses. Am now coming off one. I will be better tomorrow. We are all different but so alike. There is always someone who feels worse than we do. Pray for each other as we are never completely alone. God loves us and cares for us.

@jo54 You are right. You are never alone. Lots of times I cannot breathe and I am short of oxygen while on the CPAP in my bed at night or in my big comfy chair. My family thinks I am nuts. So do most doctors.

You are not Nuts and I am willing to bet your family is so scared they do not know what to do.
Perhaps learning how to breath with a relaxation tape or assistance will help you? It helped save my life!
Dr Amit Sood has a lot of helpful suggestions in a book Stress Free Living.
linda

Jo54, your post has heart and wisdom. You (we) are never alone and God is ever faithful to be with us. It must be difficult for family to watch the activity changes and we still look the same. Praying for all my PF brothers and sisters that you will find a place within yourself of comfort and peace. You are loved.

@penlee, thank you for reminding me I’m (we’re) not alone. It really helped me especially tonight. God bless you.

My life passion for the past 10 years as a lung cancer survivor, with all of the challenges to breathe through so much, is to help research save lungs and lives. My heart aches for everyone with lung disease. This is why I respect the opportunity CONNECT gives to all of us.

We must ban together and fight for each other and share our feelings of fear and loneliness. Each of your messages are so important. If we can encourage others to join our voices, I believe we can become one voice to help raise awareness. With awareness we can educate the world. With education and research we can save lungs and lives.

Thank you for having the courage to share your true feelings. You all are amazing and I care about each one of you so much. There are many ways we can raise awareness about these horrible lung diseases together we can help Mayo Clinic lung researcher’s find a cure. We are all in this together. Cyber hugs to patient, moderator and mentor.
linda

cognac,were not alone thereare times i feel useless ,get frustrated not doing what i know i should be able to do.But my wiife and kids
are there to help me.and there are so many people willing tohelp once they realize you have trouble breathing.

good morning i have just joined group as i have been diagnosed with stage 4 copd and they are reccomending a lung transplant
i guess i am on here looking for some thoughts on this as i am a 52 year old male whom this disease has hit really hard and out of nowhere
i woke up march of 2017 with a breathing issue and within this time have been told i need lungs
really hard yo swallow but i can tell you it has taken its toll on my health
i have lost my appetite losing 70 lbs and my activities have diminshed to other than work and rehab to watching tv i hope you all are well today and God Bless

@bobp The only thing I have to offer is to insist that you get a second and a third dX from mds in completely unrelated clinics.

I have just joined the group as well. I was diagnosed with CO in late 2013 and have not been able to work full time since. I don't seem to be as bad off as some of the other posts I have read. I can still get around somewhat. I can still do laundry and dishes but that's about it. I still drive. I have lost 40 pounds since 2013. Is this a symptom of COPD? No matter what I eat I can't put on any weight. I have been referred for evaluation for a double lung transplant to begin next week .I live in the same city where the transplant will be done. Will I be able to stay at home through the evaluation process? Thanks for listening. KTB.

Hello KTB,
I am a dietitian who has severe asthma. Weight loss is common with COPD. You are using a lot of energy to breath and get through the day. Eating small nutrient rich meals/snacks 6 times per day is recommended. If you able to see a dietitian they can put together a meal plan for you to follow. You will really want to focus on your nutrition as you move into the transplant eval/prep.

Prayers for you Robertjr. I also have COPD and I am 57. My mother had it also. I will pray for your body to heal. God Bless.

Jamie ,thank you for the wonderful message.Im in a support group,its so nice to talk topeop!e about it.Just seems like any problemturn into another step backwards.colds,pnemonia aflu,and this might sound unusual,i have had grand mal seizures sincei was 5 and since copd i get worse as far as copd aftereach seizure.Take so many things me and pharmicist and ox company onfirst name.basis.My wife and children are so helpful make things so much easier.