advice on copd flare up

Hi Pauline,

My opinion, for what its worth, is to get an antibiotic immediately to nip the infection asap as each infection decreases lung function. Once an infection gets a good hold they are hard to move. I have moderate copd bordering severe. Dont wait! This is also the advise I have been given by my Respiratory backup team.

Regards,

Robert.

Hi Pauline

I agree with Robert, you need to act quickly and get the infection treated asap. Once the infection is under control and you are on the road to recovery you will likely find you are not at breathless talking on the phone.

Thank you both for the advice i will give the on call doctor a call,the only thing is if they need me to go to them at the local hospital i will have to wait till the morning as i will have to wait for hubby to come home from work in the morning. do you have a problem with fluid retention ? i had swollen ankles and swollen legs before and took some water tablets to ease it i have noticed in the last couple of weeks i have gained over 10 pounds in weight and my ankles are again a bit swollen and i also feel really bloated so think i may need to take some more water tablets, i will ask doctor when i see them

regards

Pauline

Hi again Pauline,

When you mention breathlessness, swollen ankles can be caused by low oxygen levels as well as other conditions, so mention this to Doc as well and he should be able to get your oxygen saturation levels checked as they may be low at minute due to chest infection.

Regards,

Robert.

Thanks robert just waiting for the on call doctor to phone, when i spoke to the receptionist she said that it was unlikley they would do a home visit or if they did the doc prob wouldn't get to me until early hours of morning, i will wait and see what he says and if necc i will go tommorow morning when i can get a lift from hubby.

thanks

Pauline

Your other option Pauline would be to call NHS Direct for immediate advice.

The website:

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

24/7 telephone number 08454647

Don't hesitate to ring especially if things get any worse.

Dial the emergency line if you have difficulties through the night.

Take good care and let us know how you are doing tomorrow.

Vee

Thanks Vee still waiting for doc to call as usual its a saturday night, but if i need any help i will call NHs direct.

thanks for advice i will let u know how im getting on.

regards

Pauline

Hope you are doing ok this morning Pauline, thinking of you.

Hope you are soon feeling better.

Vee

Morning Vee i spoke to on call doctor last night they wanted me to go to the hospital, which wasn't possible as hubby working and also had no one to look after dog, so just waiting for hubby to come home now and then i just need to call them back and they will see me, i upped my inhalers use last night which gave temporary relief, but im ok will let you know what the outcome is

thanks

Pauline

Good Morning Pauline

So glad you had a chat with the doctor last night and so glad you are ok this morning, I am glad you are getting checked out today as well. I am wishing you all the good care you need at this time and hope you will soon be feeling much better.

Thanks for letting us know how you are.

All good wishes Vee

Phoned doctor who promptly sent me to hospital. they admitted me and I am now on iv doses of steroids - that'll teach me to whinge! about my breathing with a night ambulance trip I don't have my walking frame with the porters pushing me around in a gown that does not fit.

So lucky the night doctor did not send an ambulance but I am very severe copd that makes them jump when I call .

Hi Pauline, So sorry to hear of your experience last month. I hope you have been keeping better since then. Shortly after I was diagnosed, an Asthma Nurse who deals with patients County wide, advised me to arrange to keep emergency Steroid tablets and anti biotics at home for when I need them. Whenever I think I am having a Flare Up, I call the Triage Nurse at the surgery, have a chat about my symptoms and invariable can start the treatment there and then. I then make an appointment to see my GP after the treatment is finished and replenish my emergency prescription.

I hope you will be able to get the same attention with your GP as I have with mine.

Take care

Hi Jimbob, i feel a lot better now i did have back up antiobiotics but i had used them 2 weeks before and hadn't managed to get them replemished. i have just had a check up at the hospital and they took some blood to check my immune system as i have had 4 infections since Oct. I have Mild COPD and my oxygen levels were 98 to 100% which is good so there not sure why i am some breathless most of the time. anyway thanks for your advice

Take care

Pauline

You're welcome Pauline. I'm glad you are feeling better now.

Take care.

Jimbob