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Worsening symptoms - away from home

Posted , 7 users are following.

maryterese
maryterese

I am visiting and helping my elderly parents and have felt much worse since I arrived a couple of days ago.  I have what I have been told is also chronic bronchitis but I never cough or have any mucus.  SO I think the worsening is form the emphysema.  I felt great before I left but ever since the loing flight I do not feel well.  I am more sob and have a headache.   Nevcer felt this badly before.  I bought a pulse ox and am between 94-97, mostly 96.  I am ag=raid I decompensated from flying.  I am shocked,actually. if this isi the result.

If you do get worse from flying I realize I may have needed oxygen, but was nowhere near that before this.  I mentioned flying to my primary doctor and he did not see a problem.  Will my symptoms improve after a few days? I have to fly again next week.  Very concerned especially because I have no doctor here and am taking catre of my parents.  Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • VauxhallGirl
    VauxhallGirl maryterese

    Posted

    Can't help much, only to say that you are entitled to see the Doctor local to your parents while you are staying there, if you feel very unwell.
  • sandy58386
    sandy58386 maryterese

    Posted

    Hi Maryterese.

    Do your parents live at a higher altitude than where you normally live?  I recently experienced increased SOB and headaches when I went from 7,000 feet to 10,000 feet (I live in Colorado, USA and we have hugh altitude differences depending on where you are visiting....anywhere from 5,280 feet to over 14,000 feet)

    • terri69807
      terri69807 sandy58386

      Posted

      Fairly new to this site, is SOB, shortening of breath?  Thanks.
  • sandy58386
    sandy58386 maryterese

    Posted

    Oops........I meant Maryterese.  Let us know how you do and if you go back to what was more normal for you before you went to your parents.
  • maryterese
    maryterese

    Posted

    THank you to everyone for their thoughts.  The difference in elevation is not too great.   I think what may tell is how I feel after the next flight.
  • c86791
    c86791 maryterese

    Posted

    Could it be that there is a lot more air pollution where your parents live? Either due to industry or lots of traffic. I'm sure it's what makes me worse. All the best,
  • Wully
    Wully maryterese

    Posted

    Hi,  your symptoms sound very much like mine.  A savvy nurse gave me a blood test which showed My body is producing too many red blood cells and a further test proved I also have Polycythaemia which creates severe SOB and headaches. Blood thinning tablets, Clopidogrel Zentiva, an alternative to daily aspirin, has been very effective and my SOB and headaches have decreased by over 50%. I understand you have to ask specifically for this blood test as COPD can cause production of too many red blood cells. Unfortunately, when you have COPD everything is blamed on it  and this test can be overlooked. Good luck
  • Wully
    Wully maryterese

    Posted

    Your symptoms seem the same as mine which I suffered fo many years, including a high oximeter reading.

    A nurse arranged for me to have a blood test which shows I have Polycythemia, an excess of red blood cells, possibly caused by my COPD, or, as you call it, Emphysemia and Bronchitis  I was prescribed a blood thinning tablet called.Clopidogrel Zentiva which is an alternative to the normal small aspirin most people are prescribed.

    The effects have been marvelous,  and Most of my severe symptoms have eased dramatically or disappeared.

    I suggest you request this blood test.  Nothing to lose.

     

    The problen, in my experience, is that most GPs attribute nearly everything to any existing lung disease you have.

    • maryterese
      maryterese Wully

      Posted

      Thank you Wullly and all who responded. I will look into that.

      In the meantime I must say that for the last week or so, while I am still away and caring for my parents, I feel very little sob and generally feel great. I don't know what to make of it but it is great!

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