Advice please Possible copd or asthma
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello I wonder if someone could give me some advice.
My husband ws taken to hospital just over a week ago due to severe breathing problems, coughing and wheeze. We have both had some sort of virus the 2 weeks before. My husband is an exsmoker teens until age 62. He gave up 7 years ago and it now nearly 70. He was on a nebuliser ventolin and steroids. He was discharged last Wednesday with 2 more days of predisilone to complete the course, ventolin as and when and symbicort inhaler 1 puff twice a day. His peak flow was only 150 to 200 in the hospital and has been slowly increasing over the last week days. Best one was 380. He is still coughing a lot but his breathing is much better, I am not sure if this is because he has finished the steroids course but today his peal flow is around 200 to 230. Also he does seem to have difficulty using the peak flow tube. I myself have has asthma for around 13 years mild and controlled with 2 puffs symbicort twice a day plus very ventolin infequently only really when I have a cold. He is due to hav e lung function tests in 2 days at the hospital followed by various blood tests for allergies and other things. The consultant had said that after all these tests they will be able to tell whether it is copd or asthma allergy etc,although they did say it is unsual for asthma to start at 69. I am worried about the drop in the peak flow. I wanted to call the hospital for advice but he said no he was alright apart from coughing and the low peak flow. I am concerned that over night he will have trouble breathing again. I have always been told to increase my pulmicort if I have breathing difficulties and well as using my ventolin. I wonder if he should do this or do you think it is just a blip. Any thoughts and advice appreciated. He keeps telling me not to fuss
1 like, 69 replies
libralady13
Posted
So far so good but being an anxious person I am still worried. Some questions and would appreciate your opinions. My husband always a beer drinker likes to go out 4 times a week at around 10pm to his local club for a couple of pints. He goes by bus and gets in between 11.30 and 12. I have asked him to cut down because he has weight to lose including beer belly and I know this would help with the breathing and copd. My other concern is as winter sets in should he really be going out this late at night and drinking cold beer. I am all for going out and about exercising etc during the day but worried about night time and the cold air. I know that he would be wise to wear a hat and scarf over mouth and nose in the winter.
I hope I am not making a fuss over nothing but he is not the sort of person who likes to be told what to do and he enjoys going out of an evening. He has always done this much more when he was younger. Can you also comment on whether the cough with COPD is there all the time to some extent. I think that it is the cough that troubles him the most. Not bringing any mucus up now but cough sounds like he needs to if you know what I mean. He has the rescue pack of predisolone and antibiotics from the gp and all the inhalers have been put on repeat presciption. Once he has had the lung function and allergy blood tests done and a firm diagnosis I am going to find out about P R and the self help group Breath Easy. Thank you.
jude65855 libralady13
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Going out into cold air is a different matter because it contracts the bronchial tubes and will make breathing difficult.
Up to him though: I'd suggest you mention it and then drop it.
Nanny1086 libralady13
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Vee2 libralady13
Posted
Going out on cold winter evenings may not be a good idea either.
I have heard of one person who would go pub crawling on a cold winters night and end up on hospital because of an exacerbation in symptoms.
Many people with COPD couldn't do beer drinking or going out on a cold winters evening, but there are some who can and I guess your husband could be one of these people. Or perhaps your husband will realise himself that late night beer drinking affects his breathing more expecially so on cold winter nights.
As we approach winter in UK the annual flu shot is advised for people with damaged lungs.
With regard the cough and to help bring up mucus ask GP for mucodyne or something similar which helps thin the mucus making it easier to bring up. Also drinking plenty of water will help keep the mucus more fluid.
If you can attend with your partner at PR you will both learn much about the things which will help manage symptoms and improving the chances of remaining stable and preserving lung health.
Enjoy your break away.
Best wishes V
terri69807 Vee2
Posted
Wonderful advice and support on this site, however, please remember
that is all it is - adice and support. As far as I know none of us are doctors
or specialists in copd, could be wrong. Finding it somehwat, not sure what word to use here, unsettling maybe? that advice given that works for one person may or may not work for another person. Great if it works for you, but it most likely or could (who knows?) work for the next person. COPD is an individualistic disease, ie. it is different for each and every one of us, the meds that are prescribed for one person may not work for the next one and the list goes on. Personally, I just try to do as well as I can, eat well, sleep well, exercise as much as I can and retain a positive attitude. Last one in particular doesn't always happen, but I try everyday to make it happen. Breathe easy. x
Vee2 libralady13
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Asthma : https://patient.info/health/asthma-leaflet
COPD: https://patient.info/health/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-leaflet#nav-4
If you scroll down on the COPD page its says:
Quote.
What's the difference between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma?
COPD and asthma cause similar symptoms. However, they are different diseases. Briefly:
In COPD there is permanent damage to the airways. The narrowed airways are fixed, and so symptoms are persistent (chronic). Treatment to open up the airways is therefore limited.
In asthma there is inflammation in the airways which makes the muscles in the airways constrict. This causes the airways to narrow. The symptoms tend to come and go, and vary in severity from time to time. Treatment to reduce inflammation and to open up the airways usually works well.
COPD is more likely than asthma to cause an ongoing cough with phlegm (sputum).
Waking at night with breathlessness or wheeze is common in asthma and uncommon in COPD.
COPD is rare before the age of 35 whilst asthma is common in under-35s.
There is more likely to be a history of asthma, allergies, eczema and hay fever (so-called atopy) in people with asthma.
Both asthma and COPD are common, and some people have both conditions. (See separate leaflet called Asthma for more information.)
End quote
Reference it being uncommon for people with COPD to wake during the night with breathlessness. This can happen with COPD if the person has a lung infection, pneumonia or very badly damaged lungs, I'm talking a very low lung function. I've known and know people with severe COPD whose lung function between 17 and 24% who experience distress during the night.
I would think ask your husbands doctor (make telephone appointment if you haven't already spoken with the doc about this) explaining what is happening during the night and what to do to help. Do you or your husband have a oximeter at home? This measures blood oxygen levels, your doctor or respiratory nurse would have one of these if your husbands blood oxygen hasn't already been checked, do ask for this check.
I am not a medical professional but I have had emphysema for over 10 years and have been associating with people with different lung conditions during that time. 10 years + is a lot of learning about lung conditions, especially as I was once heavily involved with the lung foundation and with the local breathe easy group.
I do hope things get sorted for your husband real soon and that you won't have to wait too long for your results of the tests carried out with the consultant.
Best wishes V
PS
Pulmonary Rehabilitation for people with diagnosed lung conditions is an excellent education programme which includes techniques and knowledge to help yourself manage your symptoms, identify a lung infection, the importance of diet and exercise and so much more. The more you read or get to know other peoples experiences the more you will realise whilst we share many of the same symptoms and difficulties, we don't all share the same ones, it really does depend on the diagnosis, some just having one lung disease or airway disorder and others having 2 or 3 different lung or airway problems going on. This of course means some will be on the same medicines and others will not. Some react to medicines and can make symptoms worse in that case to go back to see the doctor is always the best thing to do and always act quickly should breathing deteriorate or symptoms are exacerbated.
Also if your husband or yourself are in serious difficulty breathing ever, don't hesitate to call the emergency service, the paramedics will come out quite quickly and they can decide if you need to go to hospital or if you can be treated at home.
Attending a Breathe Easy group will put you in touch with key people and those that can help whenever things become more difficulty. Age UK, BLF usually have lists of contact for help you can access on just about anything.
Apologies this post is quite long.
libralady13 Vee2
Posted
never ending questions.
As I have said I will find out about PR and Breathe Easy once he has seen the consultant. Still no appointment through but this maybe because he had his lung function tests cancellled as he was back on steroids. The new appointment for lung function is 28th September.
I would not hesitate to call an ambulance if needed I know how important this is.
With regard to COPD or Asthma. It is writtten on his discharge letter as Copd exacerbation am I have accepted this is what it is. My husband I think still thinks it might be asthma. When we see the consultant I am sure he will tell him exactly what is what.
With his coughing, yesterday late afternoon and evening he was coughing more but his breathing was ok. He does not remember coughing much in the night and this morning he has hardly coughed at all. Is this common or could be related to what he has been doing or where he has been that day.
From what I read the peak flow readings are for asthma which is what I thought having had mild asthma for over 10 years also on symbicort.
I only really ever do peak flows when I have a cold and hardly ever use ventolin. Perhaps I am placing too much important on peak flow results and should go by his breathing. Am I right on this. Before all this I did know of COPD as I know 2 people who have this but I knew very little about it. I have a few health problems but try to keep a positive attitude so I can help him.
Now he has the rescue pack and instructions regarding what to do during a flare I feel much better. However as he has had 2 flares and 2 lots of steroids from 30th August to 9th September I am concerned this will happen again and the tests will be put back again.
I don't know what part of the country you are in but we are in Greater London. It is really hard to get gp appointments the gp we really like to see only works 3 days a week. Of course in an emergency you will see anyone. I usually try to book on line but you must log in 8am for that day or sometimes you can get one the following week if it not urgent which is what I myself tend to do. It is no good ringing the surgery. They ask you to call at 8am but usually it it engaged for an hour and when you do get through there is nothing left. They do however offer telephone consultations which can be helpful. I have lost count of the times whilst waiting in the waiting room for my appointment to hear the receptionist say to patients calling nothing today please call tomorrow at 8am. At at recent appointment we were kept waiting over an hour. When we eventually saw the gp they apologised and said that people who could not get an appointment had arrived at the surgery wanting to be seen. Perhaps we should do that but we play by the rules.
On a happier note we all being well will go to see our daughter for a few days next week. It is a long drive and unfortunately I don't drive so I can't share the driving. We will take our time and stop a couple of times we do anyway. We are looking forward to seeing her new house and the grandchildren. Fingers crossed everthing goes to plan.
Sorry for going on a bit.
Vee2 libralady13
Posted
BLF helpline may be able to advise you further, about your husbands COPD, of course your husband may have both asthma and COPD but that is something the consultant should be able to enlighten you on.
If your GP surgery has a respiratory clinic it may be worth checking in there for an appointment, (could be quicker than seeing the doc)
Some people with lung conditions do cough a lot, but you shouldn't just accept it as part of the illness, the doc should still check things out, listen to lungs etc and of course the doc will prescribe medicines in accordance with his findings. For something your husband is experiencing, if he doesn't already have medicine to control the symptoms he should see a doctor.
Of course if he is still recovering from a lung infection he will be coughing and if he has just finished a course of anti biotics and steroids but his symptoms are no better he may need to start another course of anti biotics etc. But personally I would always check first with the doc, sputum sample may determine if he needs a different anti biotic.
Gotta run now, visiting friend in hospital.
libralady13
Posted
No physio either and he still had problems with one arm and hand. Things are just getting worse you have to chase up everything. Going back to my husband we managed to have a good time up at my daughters and my husband is not too bad still gets a bit short of breath at times and still coughing. Oh well will just have to wait to see the consultant. We have lots of questions to ask.
libralady13
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jude65855 libralady13
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libralady13 jude65855
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jude65855 libralady13
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libralady13 jude65855
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I definitely remember when he stopped smoking when he was 62 so 7 years ago.
jude65855 libralady13
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I truly believed that my lungs would bounce back no matter when I stopped
Obviously no connection hearing in your partner's case, just thought I'd mention it
libralady13
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