COPD

[witsend]

Hello, my husband was diagnosed with COPD this past Feb. 2008. He reufuses to stop smoking, has no exercise hardly what so ever. If he walks his legs cramp up really bad. then heart rates so up. He refuse any of the oxygen that the doctor has order, gave back al the machines. But wil use the inhalers. So, what I guess i am asking is with COPD is there alot of mood swings, he has become so nasty toward me, an our pets. I was wonder if it can effect the memory also. Thanks Deb

[Davy9]

Deb,

Sorry to hear about your situation. Yes there are psychological consequences related to COPD. Breathing is central to everything done in life. When breathing becomes limited people will get frustrated and they can reflect that frustration emotionally. It sounds as though he is in denial of his situation and is attempting to tough it through. He is learning each day that his function is not getting better and perhaps is getting worse. By not complying with the treatments and therapies he is not only impeding his levels of activity but he is also allowing the process to advance more rapidly. Perhaps it is in his nature to just do things his way.

You, on the other hand, might want to get some professional help to assist you in understanding and coping with the circumstance. Often it is the caregivers who become over burdened by the tasks of caring for the sick without any training or experience.

[witsend]

Davvy9

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, I think that he is n denial. I have another question for you if you dont mind? So, the mood swings an the way he is eating is probally a normal thing, does it also cuz bloating, he has no swelling any where like his legs etc. but his face gets red, at time, an then other time he looks grey. I know this is going to sound terrible, but since he doesnt do what the his doctors recommends, that he has to do it his way, what is the life spam for someone like that. Deb

[Davy9]

Hello again Deb,

You describe him as going 'flushed' in the face and then looking "grey" in the face at times(?) I could not state that this is typical with COPD. But, allow me to digress a little.

The lungs sit in the chest, they are a subcomponent of the main vascular system and have 1/2 of the heart function dedicated to their circulation. When they are chronically diseased they impact other things that happen in the chest, circulation, the blood itself and also the heart.

So, I do not know 'how he eats' or exactly how he presents 'bloating' but advanced COPD impacts many things that in-turn could cause the sorts of things you vaguely describe. They too need to be medical evaluated and possibly treated.

Certainly he is more fragile than if he did not have COPD and that predisposes him to any number of situations that could be life threatening. Still there is no way to accurately suggest a life expectancy.

I would suggest that you discuss with him his feelings about life supportive care. If he should lose consciousness or have a life threatening event does he wish to be resuscitated? If not then get an advanced directive executed. That is also called a 'do not resuscitate' type order. I suspect that if he does not want to follow treatment to make him better that he would rather not find himself in a protracted life support scenario. You should be able to get help with this paperwork from your doctors or the hospital social services dept.

[witsend]

Hello again Davvy9

Thanks so much for all the info that you have given me. But I didnt tell his age is almost 66, an that he also has PAD. All I know is that if I say anything to his doc, he denies it. But I was wondering, since the doc knows that he is so stubborn, can he say that the lungs sound good, even whent they not. Also, is steam good for him to breath in to make breathing better, he does that with his coffee? I know all this probably sounds pretty silly. But he refuses to talk to me, tells the son that he is just fine. Is it possible that you could give hints on what to look for as he goes down hill, will the cold weather make it worse, he did get a flu shot. Thanks for all your hellp Deb

[Davy9]

Deb,

Why don't you speak with your doctor separately about what is happening with your husband? Describe what you have shared here and ask his or hers advice. There is little that I can do to help your situation whereas your doctor might be able to. It is possible that it is not as severe as you think or not. But as the care provider you deserve to know and understand exactly what you're dealing with. That is not an unreasonable expectation to have of your family doctor.

Steam usually does help and the cold is not usually good. PAD and ASHD are quite common in long term smokers.

[n_black]

I have had copd for 4 years now and it is hard to live with sometimes I went through mood swings sad ,angry happy, I though I was going crazy I would get mad at my husband for no reason at all or I would just felt like crying I still feel like that some days are good some are bad for me but I learned one thing NOT TO GIVE UP! I just keep praying. I hope this has helped you . try to put your self in his shoes and think how would I feel if I could not breath felt like a ton of bricks are on my chest .I even felt and had told my husband that I was going to stop taking the meds because they made me sick and I was tried of this . But I am glad that I did not because I was giving up to fast I was not giving the meds enough time to work sometimes it takes weeks for some meds to work it all depends what your taking I hope thinks get better for you and your husband .Just hang in there.

[witsend]

hello n_black, thanks so much for your input. I am glad that you hung in there for your self, an your family. Its very hard at times with my husband, he refuses to use any of the med that the doctor has order for him to use. He wont give up his 4 pkg a day habit, tells everyone that he is getting better. But I havent gave up, I just hate the mood swings, an him always wanted to leave me. Hang in there an thanks again for your reply