Fatigue, the lack of physical energy or mental concentration, is the second-most common symptom of COPD, after breathlessness. A new study out of the Repatriation General Hospital in Adelaide, Australia, reports that fatigue levels can correspond to the severity of one’s COPD and influences an individual’s frequency and duration of hospitalization.
(http://apnutripharm.com)
The study, published by the European Respiratory Journal on June 13, found that patients with the most severe COPD were 14 times more likely to be admitted to the hospital within 20 months than those with milder forms of COPD. Those individuals also had longer hospital stays than their counterparts.
Researchers believe these findings are critically important, as reports of fatigue are currently under-emphasized, potentially leading to improper symptom management and higher rates of hospitalization. They argue that greater attention to fatigue in patients will have a positive impact on the quality of life and economic consequences of the disease.
What are your experiences with fatigue? Share your stories with us!
SOURCE: European Respiratory Journal, news release, June 13, 2012
hi i to have copd and tired all the time wake up and feel like i could sleep another 8 hrs,it’s terrible to feel like this, is’nt there a solution to the tiredness? my weight is coming off everyday but still feel fatiqued.
Hi Katherine,
I think one of the Associates on the C.O.P.D. Information Line would be able to help you with this. You can reach them at 866-316-2673.
I was diagnosed w COPD ten plus years ago. I quit smoking and was fine, then I started again, but I was still okay for a long time. I quit smoking again 8 months ago, and ever since then I feel terrible, cannot take a deep breath, and I’m tired all the time. I fall asleep at my desk. I just started paying attention to the fatigue being related to COPD, and it’s upsetting me because up until now I really haven’t been that worried. Now I am. I’m afraid too that I soon won’t be able to take care of myself. I’m 66 years old and live alone. Lately I’ve been having anxiety attacks at night. I’m glad I found this blog, maybe I will call sometime.
Hi Marcy,
I’m glad that you’ve found us, too! Please feel free to call our C.O.P.D. Information Line if you want to talk to someone. They are always there for support. 866-316-2673.
Katelyn
I am also very tired, i try not to let my husband know too much about my copd because he gets so upset and depressed. i have a hard time doing dishes, also showers i get out of breath easily. i haven’t worked in my garden in 4-5 years now its just all weeds. i use to love to do that. i also had my home in emaculate condition and now i could care less. i baby sit my great granddaughter and she is a hand full, but we are very very close. i am just so tired i wish it was over now. i have 2 years left the dr. predicts.
Hi Mary…we’re here for support. If you want to talk to someone, please call our COPD Information Line. They are there to listen. 866-316-2673.
I am 59, non-smoker for 2 years, 5’11, 230 lb. male. On Dulera.
I was diagnosed mild-moderate copd 04/2011. Spirometry every 3-4 months remains around 70.
I try and walk 1-2 miles 2x/week, but find I am wiped out whenever I try and push my HR above 110 (resting is 60, walking is 95); my Pulmonary MD tells me i need to do 125 for 30 minutes 3x /week, I look at her like she has 2 heads.
At high HR, my legs quickly turn to jelly and I am gasping / breathing so hard in 30 seconds that people are stopping asking if I am ok…
I was at a cardiologist 19 months ago they said heart was ok but I was out of shape (7 minutes on their treadmill got me to 180 bpm)
I am exhausted 3 days a week exercise or not, I know I am over weight, and strictly using Mediterranean Diet (portion control failure) but would like to know if pushing HR so hard is helpful or not.
Hi Jay–I’m glad that you have found our blog. You ask some important questions, and we can help you answer them. We have an Information Line that’s open 9AM to 9PM EST Monday through Friday, and they can answer the questions that you ask here. You can reach them at 866-316-2673. All of the Associates who work on the line have COPD, so they can talk to you from their personal experiences. Let us know if this helps!
Yes I stay so tired and the docter says its from copd. So hard to keep up with life when your so fatiqued.