COPD & Emphysema Support Group

I have emphysema plus other illnesses and I find it difficult to be intimate at anytime with this illness. I have tried and nothing worked. Breathing just got harder and harder

I totally understand the difficulty, and my husband expresses embarrassment too. Are you married? Does your spouse support you? What are your feelings about not being able to be intimate?

maybe I'm not that bad off yet' I take two puffs of albuteral and stay on top. I do just fine; the only problem I have is being able to give orally for as long as I used to.But so far the sexual problems have been minimal.

God bless you for discussing this!

As Mama said,thanks for starting this thread.
Sex was a major concern for me,but as with many other things I do,there are differences in how and when, and some planning is involved.As our main sex organ is our brain,it is absolutely VITAL to communicate openly and honestly with our partners.
There are things that can be done physically as well.Here are a couple pretty good links that discuss them:

http://lungdiseases.about.com/od/c...


www.nationaljewish.org/disease-inf...
As with other activities I still enjoy,sex isn't gone it's just different.

I'm on the opposite end of this. I have COPD and my loving wife has to stop my advances at times. My mind set is that COPD will not slow me down in anyway, shape or form! Try offering to give him a back rub and slowly work your way to his chest. That might work.

Actually, for me, I found with the oxygen I could enjoy lovemaking more...no more out of breath! My signficant other was very accepting of the "tubing" so this was a real help. Actually, he said now I don't even have to come up for air! LOL..

Your hubby probably feels insecure and less of a man. I know I felt very self-conscious myself until I found out it could be just as great (plus I'm kinda stubborn in that I get determined I am going to be as "normal" as possible). As Wildoats said, communication is so important.

Prehaps some visual stimulation would help?

I hope you and your hubby will find that "spark" once again....

For curiosity sake Cassidy,is your mate fairly recently diagnosed.The first eighteen months or so after my Dx I was an emotional basket case... couldn't do ANYTHING.If he is relatively new to this perhaps it's a reaction to the news. Sure taught me how lucky I am having the wife I do...really don't know if I could handle what I gave her.

I have has COPD for 11 years now, Butwe still have sex.. I stay on my side and hubby does most of the work..LOL try it see if it works for you guys. Embarresed to say this but hope it will help you. Love, Frieda