Fighting for breath: Katy’s story
Katy noticed her COPD symptoms three years ago. She’s been shocked by the lack of information offered to people needing a diagnosis. Here, she tells her story.
It’s three years since I first noticed symptoms of what would turn out to be COPD, but I still haven’t had a spirometry test, to confirm it or how well my lungs are coping. It’s very frustrating not to have the information you need, especially when early diagnosis and action can halt the decline.
Fighting for answers
There’s been a lot of back and forth with multiple doctors, trying to work out what was causing my breathlessness. I’ve had to fight for answers every step of the way. That can be exhausting. I initially saw a nurse in 2019 because I had a persistent chest infection. The first time a doctor mentioned COPD was in September 2020, but it took until February 2021 to speak to a COPD nurse over the phone and that took a lot of chasing.
Finding help online
Finding Asthma + Lung UK through social media has saved me. They have brilliant resources and support groups. It was through them that I found out about pulmonary rehab and how it could help me. Now I’m pushing my doctor for access to it. At their online support group, I’m able to talk about my emotions and my fears. COPD is a progressive disease with no cure. You can feel the future is out of your control.
You have to grieve the life you thought you were going to have. I expected to spend retirement travelling and volunteering with children and animals, not like this. It’s hard to accept. But I have to be realistic with what I can manage.
At Asthma + Lung UK, we want no one left fighting for breath without knowing what’s happening to them. Read our report to find out what we’re fighting for.
Do you have COPD?
Find out more information about what COPD is, the symptoms you might get, and how it’s diagnosed and treated.
Speak to our helpline
Need our help? We're here for you. We're available Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. We'll try to answer the phone within 6 rings, but that might vary if we're busy. Call us on 0300 222 5800.
We empower people with lung conditions to make changes that can be transformative.
Please donate now to help make sure people with lung conditions can live well this year.
Other Your Stories posts you may like:
Other posts you may like
