Sick lungs don’t show!

Sick lungs don’t show!

I may not look sick, but….

I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (C.O.P.D.)

What is C.O.P.D.? It includes such illnesses as emphysema, chronic
bronchitis, and sometimes asthma

It is primarily characterized by extreme shortness of breath

Living with C.O.P.D. means many things…

Living with C.O.P.D. can mean having to avoid:
* all kinds of strong odors, smoke, flowers, perfumes, cleaning supplies,
paints, solvents, vehicle exhaust, shaving lotion, bath powders, incense,
* excess humidity
* temperature extremes or wind, crowds, molds, and dusty places
because they make me short of breath

Physically……

Living with C.O.P.D. can mean:
* having difficulty walking up stairs or inclines
* not walking very far
* being unable to rush or “being rushed”
* tiring easily- especially if things last too long
* being unable to tolerate tight clothing
* inability to talk for any length of time

Socially…..

Living with C.O.P.D. can mean:
* coughing in public which attracts attention and embarrasses me
* having to use or wear devices or equipment, or take medication

which invites public comment (oxygen, cold weather masks, inhalers)
* being concerned (often excessively) about contact with cold or flu germs
* having my friends make short, pleasant, smoke-less visits

Emotionally….

Living with C.O.P.D. can mean:
* crying easily, angering easily, become frustrated and impatient because I can’t do the things I used to do
* feeling resentful when others tell me, “you don’t LOOK sick”
* being panicky and tense
* being dependent and demanding because it’s frightening when you
can’t breathe

C.O.P.D. effects my family too!

They are effected by:

* adapting to my various physical, emotional, social and environmental
needs and limitations
* leaving many functions earlier than they wish because of me or never
even getting there
* having to check out all of the details in advance and getting places
early
* having to remain calm and reassuring at all times

REMEMBER………….

I may not look sick……….. but….. SICK LUNGS DON’T SHOW!!!!!!!!!!

by Edna Fiore

Cilladob, sick lungs do show when you're having trouble; but if you're not, they don't. This post was about the inconsistency many people have: good day one day followed by three bad days. Partners OUGHT to know, and many do, but others don't get it. If you're one of those partners who pay attention and notice things and are supportive, you are a great help to your partner with COPD. If you have COPD and have such a partner, be grateful; not everyone is so lucky.

You're right, sick lungs do show to people who are paying attention. Not everyone does.

SICK LUNGS DO SHOW, they manifest themselves in many ways that a partner will pick up on, a partner that knows and reacts to a person who has SICK LUNGS. So whoever says SICK LUNGS DONT SHOW, has got it wrong, we all know about COPD, if you have it then you will know, these armchair experts can say all they want, if you know your partner, you will know when something is wrong.
Now an outsider who does not know you may think you look normal until you use a medical appliance to regain your breath, equally I have been stood by my car catching my breath and people have come up to me and asked if I was ok, so you see people do notice, and SICK LUNGS DO SHOW.
Breath easy.
God bless
Peter.

They need to get better informed on your illness, perhaps some leaflets or look it up and read about it. X.

It’s so frustrating how you can breathe pretty good one day & not the next! I hear you The weather plays such a big part in our breathing!