Addressing the comorbidities of COPD is crucial, but it can be tricky
The disease can have many linked conditions, which can exacerbate symptoms
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often accompanied by several comorbidities, including heart disease, osteoporosis, anxiety, and depression. Two of my prominent comorbidities are gastroesophageal reflux disease and osteoarthritis. When one or more of these conditions become pervasive, it can really take the joy out of life.
A couple years ago, to address my osteoarthritis, I discussed with my primary care physician the consequences of missing a week or more of exercise each month. My doctor suggested I do some stretching to ease the tension in my hip joints, and after performing some tests, he also decided I might benefit from meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory medication. I also evaluated and modified my diet to steer clear of inflammatory ingredients. Adhering to this regimen for over a month brought me great benefits.
After that, my osteoarthritis pain became a thing of the past. But then I started having severe pain in my abdomen. These episodes didn’t last long, but they began to increase in frequency. So I again consulted my doctor, who suspected that meloxicam was the culprit.
Getting back on track
Meloxicam is considered a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, which is a group of drugs known to cause digestive issues. My doctor decided to take me off meloxicam for my arthritis pain and suggested I use Tylenol, which isn’t an NSAID, instead.
Then I was sent for an ultrasound, which discovered an enlarged bile duct, indicating that I’d passed gallstones. After about two months of consultations with a gastroenterologist and subsequent treatment, I managed to get my stomach issues under control.
But I noticed some setbacks with my COPD, including huge dips in my oxygen saturation levels. I’d been prescribed two to four liters per minute of supplemental oxygen, and I found myself constantly turning up the oxygen concentrator to four liters per minute, yet it had little to no effect.
My Fitbit activity tracker offered some important insight that I found hard to believe: I’d been exercising fewer than 15 days a month for two months. Still, I feared that something else was going on. And it was: My primary care physician found that I had pneumonia, so I had to start taking an antibiotic and the cold medication Mucinex (guaifenesin).
I told my doctor that the Tylenol hadn’t been working, so he switched me to tramadol for pain and recommended I schedule an appointment with an orthopedist.
I hope that I’m finally back on the right track regarding my health. Now that the pain doesn’t force me to stop and recover every few steps, I realize I’d been slacking on my exercise routines and daily self-care regimen. (It’s difficult to think clearly when you’re in constant pain.)
COPD is challenging and requires the patient’s effort to live a good life. Comorbidities can disrupt those routines and lead to a worsening of COPD symptoms.
My plan now is to start over with my COPD workouts and slowly get back to where I need to be. This time around, I hope it’ll be a little easier.
Note: COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of COPD News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
About the Author
Marci Murphy
I myself have server COPD. I am 58. My family Dr had me take the spirometer test back in 2016/17 long story short I had just zs bad lungs then as I do now. All she told me was I had COPD sent me home with inhaler told me to quit smoking. During those 7yrs I did alot of toxic things in my lungs but they never got worse. What if she would of told me how bad it was and what a horrible death it is. I wasn't given the choice to change lifestyle and live longer and more mobile to enjoy life. No one has that choi e but yourself so i bought portable oxygen pack snd i go,go go.
Caroline Gainer
Marci, I am sorry that you did not understand that the things you were doing caused damage to your lungs. Your lungs were being damaged all along, they had just not gotten to the point where you had no more room for error.
Monica Kaufmann
Caroline Gainer’s articles always have at least one, if not more, pertinent tips on living with COPD. I especially appreciate her articles as my pulmonologist is not especially forthcoming with instructions or advice. I live in a small community and he’s the only “game” in town. It’s only through my reading and having taken a superb on-line pulmonary rehab program that I even know the questions to ask. Just want to thank Caroline for her valuable articles. She probably doesn’t begin to know how many people with COPD she has helped.
Kathleen M Matthews
Thanks for this, Carolyn! Over the past 2 months, I have also been dealing with 'other' health issues, medications, etc., and have slacked off on my exercise. And my breathing is not as good as it was 2 months ago. Planning to go back to the gym tomorrow, and am even more determined, after reading this. I am praying I can get myself back to where I was 2 months ago! I remind myself to 'ease' back into it', as patience isn't my strong suit 😊. This was such a good reminder, so timely. Hope you also got back to where you were!
Alyce
Thank you, Caroline!
I needed to read this today! I have been having heart related symptoms of a lower than normal heart rate, and having to take a break from pulmonary rehab. It can become very depressing when we have setbacks with this horrible disease of COPD, but we must all try to move forward. Sincerely, Alyce
Cookie Cooke
It becomes depressing that if I feel super tired or have setbacks from other issues I deal with besides COPD - like anemic tendencies, Hashimotos disease or DDD or even my migraines- if I take a couple days off, my breathing takes a hit from less pulmonary PT. Even though I have my recumbent bike in my home the energy is just not there for a few days every once in a while. That's all it takes to lose a lot of the progress I have made to breathe better.
The only way I seem to lessen my advancement in breathing is to take smaller intervals of rest when I feel good and work out a little longer, even 5 -10 minutes each work out in order to stay more rested therefore stronger in the long run. We can't always determine when triggers might hit or germs might seek us out. We can only be proactive. Have your tools together that help you when in distress. My newest tool is my mask. Even at home sometimes. Rest. Rest and sleep is a big tool I finally succumbed to. I used to think sleeping was such a waste.I felt that tresting just sucked up time I had in this earth and I didn't want to sleep it away. But it is one of the best kind of medicine you can give yourself. So eat well, exercise even if it's just a baby step worth and rest. Be kind to yourself and your body. It always surprises me how nice it'll be back to me. Good breathing to you all!