COPD is something he will have to live with for the rest of his life. That said, it's pretty clear that both you and he have a lot to learn about COPD and how to manage and control it. Both are possible and not even that hard. Meds only treat symptoms, and it is a progressive disease, but the lungs, even when compromised, are really remarkably resilient. Go to www.copdfoundation.org. You'll find a tremendous amount of information there about COPD and a lot of support on 350 Social.

One of the hardest things for people with COPD to understand is that meds treat symptoms and do make you feel better, but they do nothing to actually make you better. The things that will make your husband better are things that only he can do: daily exercise of at least 30 minutes; get as close to a normal weight as possible, eat healthy, don't smoke. These are all hard things, but they are the things that will help him get stronger, have more endurance and help him feel better.

Pulmonary rehab is one place to start. He'll learn how to exercise and push himself. When he's done, he should join a gym and exercise with the rest of us. Having a good pulmonologist who is current on research and treatment of COPD is another. Beginning to learn about COPD can give him new ideas and goals. He'll learn enough to know that he's the one who has to take control of his situation. You can support him, but you can't do anything for him; he's got to do it himself.

I've had COPD since 1985. I worked until my planned retirement in 2010. I have about a third the lung function of someone my age and sex, and I still work part time for a national accrediting company and travel by air all over the US and Canada. I'm a COPD advocate and attend many conferences and workshops. I have kids, grandkids and am a new great-grandma. Exercise is the key to my continuing to keep a difficult schedule.

sorry i can only post short messages....the more he can do for himself the better and as much as you love him dont do everything for him encourage him to be as active as poss,the worse thing he can do is sit around. .good luck..x

@DeniseCongerWh .. there is no rights or wrongs with this disease..your husband will need to figure out whats normal for him,even ppl who can barely move without being sob need exercise so id start there with the rehab.

I have done allot of counseling and support groups for caregivers. You need lots of breaks and working is a good one....especially if you are surrounded by others. My husband is age 80, and he still works 3 days a wk. He calls this his mental health break from my situation. You have to take care of yourself first do you are able to take care of your spouse. I also fear being left alone, so I can relate to both sides.

Good morning Denise - You really asked a hard question this morning. How long has he had COPD? COPD is something he will have to live with since there is no cure. But there are things he can do to make things easier for him. He could take pulmonary rehab which will help him learn how to breathe easier He could try other inhaler's, some work better than others for people. A lot of us are on oxygen and use a nebulizer. This is our normal. I hope you have a good day.