Home
Share
Forum
COPD Forum
Symptoms and complications of COPD
Managing stress, anxiety, and depression with COPD

Back

Patients COPD

Managing stress, anxiety, and depression with COPD

50 views
0 support
4 comments

Lee__R

Community manager

Edited on 08/11/2019 at 4:20 AM

Good advisor

Lee__R

Community manager

Last activity on 04/03/2020 at 5:04 PM

Joined in 2018

1,338 comments posted | 35 in the COPD Forum

2 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Explorer
Friend
Top chef

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hello Carenity Members,

Managing COPD can be stressful and cause anxiety. Of course, if such anxiety becomes extreme, we recommend reaching out to a professional, but what are some tips or strategies you recommend for handling stress and anxiety?

All comments

cr90931!

02/21/2018 at 3:54 AM

cr90931!

Last activity on 06/15/2020 at 7:08 PM

Joined in 2018

13 comments posted | 13 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Contributor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I am actually prescribed Celexa, but I also practice pursed-lip breathing to help gain control of my anxiety. I tend to get anxiety spells when I begin to think about having COPD and when I become worried about having a spell where it is difficult to breathe.

Managing stress, anxiety, and depression with COPD https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/symptoms-and-complications-of-copd/managing-stress-anxiety-and-depression-with-copd-51 2018-02-21 03:54:13

Unregistered member

03/15/2018 at 6:07 PM

I am Prescribed 1mg of Ativan 2 times a day as needed Its a Pretty Mild Med for me anyway Can't really tell if it helps or not

Managing stress, anxiety, and depression with COPD https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/symptoms-and-complications-of-copd/managing-stress-anxiety-and-depression-with-copd-51 2018-03-15 18:07:24

brthfree

03/16/2018 at 3:48 AM

Good advisor

brthfree

Last activity on 12/24/2023 at 10:47 PM

Joined in 2018

16 comments posted | 14 in the COPD Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@EdBalunas‍, what kind of medicine is Ativan? is it for anxiety? I have tried celexa and it seemed to help.

Managing stress, anxiety, and depression with COPD https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/symptoms-and-complications-of-copd/managing-stress-anxiety-and-depression-with-copd-51 2018-03-16 03:48:16

copd_healing

03/31/2018 at 5:42 AM

Good advisor

copd_healing

Last activity on 07/03/2020 at 4:18 PM

Joined in 2018

19 comments posted | 18 in the COPD Forum

1 of their responses was helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I am also on celexa; seems to help, but what has helped the most is walking and doing mild exercise daily!

Managing stress, anxiety, and depression with COPD https://www.carenity.us/forum/copd/symptoms-and-complications-of-copd/managing-stress-anxiety-and-depression-with-copd-51 2018-03-31 05:42:20

Members are also commenting on...

CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

@KathyA‍, please read what I wrote above on using oxygen. I am so, so, thrilled to have portable oxygen that gave me more of my life back. I was told in 2011 when I lived in San Miguel de Allende at 6,400 ft altitude that I needed to go on oxygen, but all I saw around town was one woman with the heavy metal canisters in a cart behind her, and that looked terrible. I moved back to near sea level and put off needing oxygen all day for another seven years, just a Bipap at night.

Finally I was huffing and having to stop every few feet even near sea level, but I still didn't want to be lugging a heavy canister behind me. I ran into an old friend who was always really active, ballroom dancing, hiking, fly fishing in rivers. And there she was with an Inogen in a backpack, doing everything she'd always done!

She showed me all about hers and the total package with machine, extra 8-hour battery, two battery chargers for house and car, carrying case, and extended warranty, was around $3,300!

Finally I saved enough for it and have loved it every minute since. I started on 2 for almost a year but had to go to 3 for every day. I switch to 4 liters a minute several times a day when I still get winded bad, and have gone up to 5 for stair climbing. I worry that I will need to go higher than 5 eventually, but I hope by then there will be sronger machines developed that go higher, though then the $500 batteries only last a few hours before needing recharging, instead of 6-8.

The portable ones now are breath-operated--you have to be breathing into the nose cannula for them to work. And my BiPap at night requires continuous flow, which the big oxygen machine Medicare covers provides, so I need both machines. Some day they may all be continuous flow and still portable.

There are cheaper, refurbished units available from the Inogen factory, too. After 1 1/2 years mine started sending strange messages and I called the factory and they sent a new one out the next day! I sent them the old one back no charge. So I am pleased with service, too.

Hope this helps you accept your machine. I am so, so happy I got mine and wish Medicare paid for everyone who needed one.(I understand in a few cases they will pay for one now, but not my particular Cigna Medicare Advantage plan.)

I bet when you go to your reunion you won't be the only one on oxygen! And everyone will be so old! The ones who are already dead and not there are the ones to think about--how many of them had COPD? Fourth leading cause of death in the US before Covid, so now we're fifth. Be glad for all the help you can get! I hope you have a wonderful reunion!

See the best comment

cbholder3

12/02/2022 at 3:21 PM

@Thakera Yes, even on Medicare it was $400+ a month. My Pulmonologist arranged for me to get it with no copay from GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, you can look up their assistance program at https://www.gskforyou.com/ Hope it goes okay for you, I am just in the process fo renewing mine for next year.

GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program

Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.

See the best comment

CarolSchmidt

12/21/2020 at 10:35 PM

See the best comment

cbholder3

12/02/2022 at 3:21 PM

GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program

Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.

See the best comment

Articles to discover...

11/21/2024 | Advice

COPD vs. altitude: How can you stay safe up high?

09/27/2024 | News

Emphysema: Everything you need to know!

08/10/2024 | Advice

COPD and heatwave: what can you do to manage better?

05/22/2024 | Testimonial

COPD: "Determine to be as well as you can for as long as you can."

01/24/2019 | Advice

How to manage your COPD triggers

03/28/2018 | News

To vape or not to vape? Probably: Not to vape

01/13/2020 | Testimonial

Medication, treatments, and exercise : treatments for emphysema and COPD

10/28/2019 | Testimonial

“I decided to pull myself up because I couldn’t accept a lower quality of life either physically or emotionally”

Managing stress, anxiety, and depression with COPD

All comments

Give your opinion

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...

Medication fact sheets - patient opinions...