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murielm99

(30,790 posts)
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 10:11 AM Mar 23

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 23 OP
Done XanaDUer2 Mar 23 #1
Thank you. murielm99 Mar 23 #3
I don't blame you for being worried. Hope he gets better soon, good wishes coming your way Walleye Mar 23 #2
Holding you both in love and light. Nothing silly about being worried. niyad Mar 23 #4
I get colds frequently. Zinc seems to help shorten the duration. viva la Mar 23 #5
Absolutely Duncanpup Mar 23 #6
Sending ((hugs)) KarenS Mar 23 #7
I was going to ask if he has oxygen set-up & suggest restocking early, but then I saw your "he smokes" hlthe2b Mar 23 #8
He does have supplemental oxygen. murielm99 Mar 23 #11
Positive (((vibes))) your way... markie Mar 23 #9
Take care! Hope22 Mar 23 #10
I have COPD too... magicarpet Mar 23 #12
Thank you. murielm99 Mar 23 #13
Thank you. murielm99 Mar 23 #14
Does he use a nicotibe patch?? I prefer the ones from walmart..... Karadeniz Mar 23 #15
Really,.. without the smoking his lungs,... magicarpet Mar 23 #16
Your husband will be in my prayers LetMyPeopleVote Mar 23 #17

niyad

(113,995 posts)
4. Holding you both in love and light. Nothing silly about being worried.
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 10:15 AM
Mar 23

Vibes for swift recovery and healing.

viva la

(3,373 posts)
5. I get colds frequently. Zinc seems to help shorten the duration.
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 10:18 AM
Mar 23

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

(4,103 posts)
7. Sending ((hugs))
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 10:23 AM
Mar 23

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

(102,575 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, 10:31 AM
Mar 23

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

(14,224 posts)
12. I have COPD too...
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 10:55 AM
Mar 23

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

(30,790 posts)
14. Thank you.
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 11:00 AM
Mar 23

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

(14,224 posts)
16. Really,.. without the smoking his lungs,...
Sat Mar 23, 2024, 01:13 PM
Mar 23

.... 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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