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Advice please Possible copd or asthma

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libralady13
libralady13

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

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  • hypercat
    hypercat libralady13

    Posted

    Hi I was told by a doctor that if you give up smoking before the age of 40 then your lungs should bounce back.  If after 40 then the effects are more limited the older you are.  x
  • libralady13
    libralady13

    Posted

    Hello everyone.  I think I may have posted an update on my husband on  another group.  He saw the the doctor at the respiratory clinic just before Christmas and was give a final diagnosis of Asthma/copd as he has elements of both conditions.  This morning he has received a copy of the letter to gp following the clinic visit.  It states new diagnosis of Asthma with fixed airway obstruction probably caused by past smoking.  Can anyone tell us what the following mean if at all possible.

    Peak flow diary showed 40% variability in peak flows.  Lung function tests FEV1 1.75(68%), FVC2 2.66(76%) and a ratio of 0.66 consistent with airway obstruction and 6% post bronchodilation response not significat consistent with airway obstruction.  RV91% TCL86% RV/TLC 106% TCLO 73% and KCO 90% total IgE 33.  Eosiniphil count raised at 1.3 previously come down to 0.7.  Rast and Asperigillus were both negative.  I did ask a lot of questions at the clinic but he did not go over the lung function results except to say the blood tests were ok.

    He is on Symbicort,spiriva and salbutamol.  He has also be given tablets to help bring up mucus.  Thank you to anyone who can help.

    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 libralady13

      Posted

      Hi ,I am asthma/ brinchiectis based COPD ,I take ventalin inhalers seratide inhaler and spireva inhaler ,I also take mucodyne tablets to help move the stubborn mucus,my peak flow ( asthma) average is 350,when well and my fev has has improved from 63% to 74% through exersise,

      i to am an ex smoker stopped when first diagnosed in 1992 , I'm now aged 70 next week and attend the gym twice a week for an hour doing 3 Klm on treadmill and 3klm on bike 5 Klm on hand bike and 1000 meters on rower,,,,,( not at the moment as over Xmas I had a chest infection that developed into pneumonia,) so I'm taking it easy at home recovering ,

      ask your GP to refer your hubby to pulmary rehab class ,it will help him understand his health condition more fully as the course is run by COPD specialist nurse/ physio s ,they are amazing ,hope this has helped a little ,sadly i don't know what the numbers mean ,,,,,but I know my consultant was impressed with the increase in my numbers esoecialy as they were due to exersise and not medication ,,,,,,I think ,,,,,,the numbers are something like ,,,,,output breath and input breath ,,,,,

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