Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease that affects the body mentally and physically. The disease is usually caused by smoking and it gives the affected chronic cough, sputum production and shortness of breath. This means an impaired quality of life and cause suffering to the patient. Aim: Was to describe the patient's experience of living with COPD, focusing on the patient's lifeworld, health and suffering as well as how the disease affected daily life. Method: A literature study where ten quality articles from the databases Cinahl and PubMed / Medline has been analysed. The analysis method used was a qualitative content analysis. Results: The results show that those affected by the disease suffered from both physical and mental limitations. This affected them in everyday life and in social life. It also gave feelings of guilt, a sense of hopelessness and could lead to depression. Conclusion: Living with COPD means great physical and mental limitations which sufferers experience in many different ways. They all have individual strategies to cope with their disease and to facilitate daily life. It is therefore essential that nurses be aware of this and to respond to the patients with respect and understanding.