My husband has COPD and he has a cold.
We have stayed in so much since Covid that neither of us has had many illnesses like colds. I have been in and out of the hospital, but it has been for my major health shortcomings.
I am more worried than usual about his health. COPD is bad enough. I feel silly asking for prayers and good thoughts for something so minor, but he is 79 and this worries me. Also, he smokes. Not a lot, but he smokes.
XanaDUer2
(13,829 posts)Hope he's ok.
murielm99
(31,433 posts)Walleye
(35,655 posts)niyad
(119,875 posts)Vibes for swift recovery and healing.
viva la
(3,775 posts)I don't know for sure, but if he can take zinc, it might help.
Do you have a pulse oximeter? That's the little clamp that fits on the finger and shows the oxygen level. That might alert you if his 02 gets too low.
Hugs and hope to you!
Duncanpup
(13,688 posts)KarenS
(4,631 posts)once we get older and have chronic illnesses our general health becomes an issue. What we brushed off as a pesky cold can cause other concerns at 70 and above
hlthe2b
(106,327 posts)comment and realize that is not going to be wise even if it could be a life send for him (especially if his PaO2 drops with the cold symptoms on top of his COPD). Can he go a week without smoking (and not give in unexpectedly to the "need?" ) If so, supplemental O2 might get him through (if he's not already on it). Your physician might want to adjust his COPD medications during this episode as well, so that might be a good phone call to make.
My best wishes coming your way for you both.
murielm99
(31,433 posts)He has Inogen. He uses it as needed.
markie
(22,920 posts)Hope22
(2,841 posts)Sending extra love to you and yours. Prayers for healing. 🙏🏼💗💗💗💗
magicarpet
(16,501 posts)There are meds that help you get over the hump during bad times.
○ Echinacea - it boosts your immune system to help fight off ailments. Available at health stores, local drug store, or WalMart type stores.
○ Eat lots of vitamin C - oranges, grape fruit, lemons/limes.
○ You should have a hand held inhaler on hand at all times such as Advair or Albuterol. If breathing becomes difficult these help open air passage ways to the lungs.
○ This past fall I needed a course of Prednizone to finally get me back on my feet and clear a major respiratory infection. I kept going from bouts of coughing up yellow/green Mucus then almost clearing up then all clogged up again. This lasted about two months - then was given Prednizone to finally clear it up.
Hope hubbies breathing improves and cold subsides. It just robbes you of all your energy to experience this.
murielm99
(31,433 posts)He is seeing a pulmonologist, but not until April 1st. I hope he can hang on until then.
murielm99
(31,433 posts)He has albuterol and I am not sure what else. I hope these things continue to work for him. We have been married for 45 years, so I am kind of used to him.
Karadeniz
(23,414 posts)magicarpet
(16,501 posts).... would work much better. Not so susceptible to colds, bronchitis, or Pneumonia.
The nicotine gum and patch might help in that smoking sessation direction. It might take a few tries to quit but with determination it can be done. Especially for a lite smoker, so much easier.
I quit after four trys, seven years ago.