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murielm99

(31,433 posts)
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 09:11 AM Mar 2024

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.

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My husband has COPD and he has a cold. (Original Post) murielm99 Mar 2024 OP
Done XanaDUer2 Mar 2024 #1
Thank you. murielm99 Mar 2024 #3
I don't blame you for being worried. Hope he gets better soon, good wishes coming your way Walleye Mar 2024 #2
Holding you both in love and light. Nothing silly about being worried. niyad Mar 2024 #4
I get colds frequently. Zinc seems to help shorten the duration. viva la Mar 2024 #5
Absolutely Duncanpup Mar 2024 #6
Sending ((hugs)) KarenS Mar 2024 #7
I was going to ask if he has oxygen set-up & suggest restocking early, but then I saw your "he smokes" hlthe2b Mar 2024 #8
He does have supplemental oxygen. murielm99 Mar 2024 #11
Positive (((vibes))) your way... markie Mar 2024 #9
Take care! Hope22 Mar 2024 #10
I have COPD too... magicarpet Mar 2024 #12
Thank you. murielm99 Mar 2024 #13
Thank you. murielm99 Mar 2024 #14
Does he use a nicotibe patch?? I prefer the ones from walmart..... Karadeniz Mar 2024 #15
Really,.. without the smoking his lungs,... magicarpet Mar 2024 #16
Your husband will be in my prayers LetMyPeopleVote Mar 2024 #17

niyad

(119,875 posts)
4. Holding you both in love and light. Nothing silly about being worried.
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 09:15 AM
Mar 2024

Vibes for swift recovery and healing.

viva la

(3,775 posts)
5. I get colds frequently. Zinc seems to help shorten the duration.
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 09:18 AM
Mar 2024

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!

KarenS

(4,632 posts)
7. Sending ((hugs))
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 09:23 AM
Mar 2024

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

(106,328 posts)
8. I was going to ask if he has oxygen set-up & suggest restocking early, but then I saw your "he smokes"
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 09:31 AM
Mar 2024

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.

magicarpet

(16,501 posts)
12. I have COPD too...
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 09:55 AM
Mar 2024

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)
14. Thank you.
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 10:00 AM
Mar 2024

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.

magicarpet

(16,501 posts)
16. Really,.. without the smoking his lungs,...
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 12:13 PM
Mar 2024

.... 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.

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