Gary's Story

“Although it’s only been a few months since I completed the course, it not only helped me while I was doing it, but is still helping me now. I set goals for myself each week; I’ve learnt how to control the effects of my pain and how to have a more positive approach to coping with my depression as I’m doing exercises to keep me mentally active."

Gary
Luton

Gary, 43 from Luton, Bedfordshire had smoked since the age of 20. He often became short of breath and struggled with tightening in his chest. Whenever he reached the point where he was really struggling, he’d cut back on the number of cigarettes he smoked until the symptoms subsided before starting to increase his use again. It was only after suffering an accident at work that it came to light he actually had asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which were being made worse by smoking.

Gary explained: “A piece of metal fell from a fork lift truck onto my right wrist while I was working in the warehouse at a ceiling and partition company. It caused a deep cut which ended up turning sceptic and I had to go to hospital to get it looked at. I had an operation to remove a blood clot and Neuroma from the blood vessel and it was either during this operation or as a result of the injury that the nerve in my wrist was damaged.”

Gary went through four more operations between 2001 and 2008 as his wrist would lock up due to the nerve damage.

It was at the time of the third operation that Gary discovered he not only had asthma but also COPD which affects the airways in his lungs. He was at risk of being refused the wrist operation due to the possibility of not being able to recover from the general anaesthetic as he had such low oxygen levels, although fortunately, it did go ahead.

The pain Gary experienced over several years as a result of his damaged wrist also led to a negative effect on his mental health. Although he was receiving physiotherapy, he was in constant pain and was unable to do some things he had been previously able such as carrying anything the slightest bit heavy such as shopping bags and he had to learn to write with his left hand.

He was no longer the happy-go-lucky character he once was and became increasingly snappy and irritable at not only the pain, but the frustrations he was now experiencing at not being able to do the things he was once able to. His friends began to comment on his mood change and were insistent that he see a doctor.

Gary said: “It was the same as my denial about the effects smoking had on me before I did anything about cutting back - I let things get to rock bottom psychologically before I took any action about my state of mind. Luckily I had some very supportive friends who were on the verge of marching me to the doctors which pushed me to act.” Gary was then referred to a psychiatrist and has since been receiving help.

In October 2010, Gary received an email from Luton Link – the Local Involvement Network – which had details about Expert Patients courses for people with long-term health conditions running in the city. Unsure about where the courses would be held and whether he’d be able to get there, Gary was on the verge of dismissing the idea until he saw there was also the option to do the course via the internet.

“When I saw that I could register for the course and get involved online, I was really keen to give it a go,” added Gary. “It was my choice when I logged on each week and I wasn’t restricted to needing to get to a venue for a fixed period of time each week. I could plan my week and when I was going to do certain bits of each session, and dip in and out when it fitted around my other plans.

“Although it’s only been a few months since I completed the course, it not only helped me while I was doing it, but is still helping me now. I set goals for myself each week; I’ve learnt how to control the effects of my pain and how to have a more positive approach to coping with my depression as I’m doing exercises to keep me mentally active.

“The encouragement from the other members of the online group was a fantastic support and as an added benefit, I found that my computer skills actually developed as the course was so easy to navigate and use online, it developed my confidence and abilities in using the computer.”

So positive about the benefits he received from the online course, Gary is already recommending other people give it a try. He added: “It may not be for everyone but you’ve got nothing to lose. I’ve already told other people about the course and passed information leaflets onto people I think it could help.

“I’m also looking forward to my next appointment with my psychiatrist. I’m keen to update him on the progress I’ve made and show the steps I’m taking to actively get better.”