Managing COPD…

Another search-engine list question “how long would I have before my COPD get…”

I’m choosing to believe that the missing word is “intolerable” or maybe “too severe for me to function normally”. Actually, it could be almost anything, but I suspect I’m in the ball-park.

The progress of COPD is different for everyone, but it depends on a number of things, not least your life-style. If you smoked prior to being diagnosed, and are still smoking then go away, you’re beyond redemption. If, however, you’ve had the sense to stop, or your COPD stems from other causes, as mine does, then there’s a lot you can do.

Most important is your medication. You need a disciplined approach to this. I use the alarms – five of them – in my mobe to set the times for my meds. Just taking them when you remember is next to useless – you need to devise a timetable and stick to it rigorously. I take my first round of  daily meds at 06.00, so that by the time I get up they’re in my system. Highly recommended – it saves having to spend the first couple of hours of every day coughing and wheezing and generally feeling like hammered shit.

If you have inhalers, and you don’t use a spacer device get one without delay – the Volumatic spacer is the one most easily available in the UK. All inhalers, but especially steroid inhalers, are more effective when used with a spacer.

Then there’s exercise. I’ve always led an active life – cycling, rambling, backpacking (though as I’ve always been ill, with bronchiectasis and asthma, it’s been at a slower rate than most people) – which has proved fortuitous, as now I’m older and, unavoidably, deteriorating, I’m a lot better than I would otherwise have been. So, if you are still reasonably fit, my advice would be to get as much exercise as you can. There’s no need to hit the gym, or run til you wreck your knees pounding the pavement, walking is perfectly adequate. Indeed, with COPD that will be challenge enough.

It doesn’t need to be anything dramatic – just walk to the corner shop for the paper, instead of getting the car out. Then, when you can do that without being reduced to a wheezing wreck, slowly extend the distance – maybe include a small hill. The important thing is to start gently and slowly build up. And yes, you will feel horrible at the start, but as you persevere it will get easier.

You can’t cure COPD, but you can manage it, and delay its progress if you work at it, and it really is worth the effort.

My ability to exercise has been minimal of late, but having bought myself a portable nebuliser I’m hoping I shall be able to get more exercise – if it ever stops raining.

There’s a lot about COPD on this blog – naturally, as I have a vested interest – it’s what got me the Top Health Blogger accolade, and links to  the most important posts have been gathered together here and the posts in which I discuss COPD and swine flu are collected here .