I belong to various COPD groups on social media and I'm often moved by personal experiences of how the disease can affect ones mental health and daily life. A woman recently explained how she felt. She said COPD goes on and on and leaves you feeling lonely in the prison of your mind. I understand exactly how she felt. I sometimes felt that way in the early years after diagnosis. During bad days I still sometimes feel that way. COPD can rob a person of a normal active life that everyone needs to stay physically and mentally healthy. Ordinary things that others take for granted suddenly require huge effort. Hobbies and interests that would have kept body and mind occupied are out of reach. You feel trapped and alone in the prison of your mind where your attention is on catching the next breath. It's not surprising if your thoughts turn dark as you wish yet fear that the end would come; sooner rather than later. The reality for many is the misery can be overwhelming, the suffering may have no let up but Like it or not as COPD progresses you will sometimes find yourself locked in the prison of your mind. The question is What can you do about it? We would like to hear how you cope with this. Please leave a comment.

Do you live with or are you a carer for someone who has been diagnosed with COPD?

Have you received a diagnosis of COPD

Eleven years ago i thought I was having panic attacks so I made an appointment to see my GP. I described my symptoms - sudden breathlessness and anxiety. My GP asked me if I was a smoker and when I told him I was he said I had COPD and he immediately prescribed preventative and emergency inhalers. He also said it was a progressive, incurable condition and the third most common cause of death. I left the surgery in shock beleiving my life was on an inevitable down hill trajectory caused by a condition I had never heard of. Suddenly my active, adventurous life came to a crashing halt and the literature on COPD left me thinking that at any moment my life could end painfully. In the first few months after diagnosis I confess I felt depressed and then I was invited to a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course. This 6 week twelve session course was a turning point for me. The exercises and information given during the course showed me COPD could be managed well and an acceptable quality of life could be achieved for many years into the future. I decided to put my professional research and development skills to good use and resolved to learn everything I could about this debilitating chronic disease. My aim in starting this group on SKool is to share information, knowledge and skills needed to manage COPD well and maintain an optimum quality of life. More tha 10 years of research and first handexoerience has taught me that we can live well with COPD. This Well Being with COPD community is for people with the condition and their family members and carers. It's a place to share experiences ask questions and access support. Please Join Us!