Been told I have copd have not told anyone

Thanks for the advice,I just dusted and vacuumed of course with my mask  on.  Then I did 20 min of cardio and walked the dog.  Your the second person that recommends a pulmonary specialist could you please tell me what they do.  Also money, door nobs and light switches not to mention public bathrooms are the germiest.

You're right about those germy things!

Honestly, pulmos sometimes get on my nerves, which is why I'd avoided them for signature long. But they're the docs who can really interpret the nuances of change(s) in your lungs & PFTs. They're the ones who know if you need gadgets to help your lungs. They should be most up-to-date on all the different inhalers. You want to keep all the lung function you've got for as long as possible. If you're in the UK, that specialist is backed up by the pulmonary rehab system; if you're in the States, no such luck. Unfortunately, if you're in the States the majority of pulmonologists I've dealt with take a very fatalistic view of us COPD and don't believe in exercise & rehab. They are wrong on that score, but we still need them.

It's possible you'll see one and they'll say that if your inhalers are working, you are released back to your gp unless you get worse. That would be great!

Some pulmos come at you with a 30-minute lecture compressed into 10 minutes. Ask them to slow down, then repeat back what you've understood & say, "did I get that right?"

It may not be funny but it is necessary.

Hi Pam!  I love my Pulmonary Specialist!  At this point, I only have to see him once a year.  Initially, I did go at 6 months after my first appointment but my spirometry hasn't changed in the last 2 years so fortunately, I only have to go yearly.  They do the spirometry and then, depending on those results, will have me sit in an enclosure and have further testing.  I am VERY careful if I think I have a cold that may turn into an exacerbation, I then go to my GP, that is right across the hall from my Pulmonary Specialist.  The two of them work together with me.  It is less expensive to go to the GP and the PS has even said that he "would perscribe the same meds if I had a flare-up".  It is comforting to know that they are working together.  As with ANY type of doctor, there are some that have NO "bedside manner"; however, I am blessed that both of my doctors are willing to take all the time necessary to answer questions.

You sound like you got great and the best treatment possible.  I hate my new dr my old passes away and I miss him horably.  I am searching for a new dr just courios what meds do the have you on this is all new to me and it would be nice if I could ask the dr for options.

Pam....I am on Spiriva and Symbicort.  I WAS on Advair INSTEAD of the Symbicort but the Advair made my voice very hoarse so I was switched to Symbicort.  I also know that I feel MUCH better when I am VERY active...going shopping, spending the day with friends, doing laundry and other activities around the house.  If I just take a lazy day and just sit around and read or watch TV, I don't feel as energetic.  I think we all have to find our comfort zone with COPD.  Perhaps you should get some recommendations of other doctors in your area because interacting with your physicians also is very critical!  Keep in touch!

Thanks for sharing I am taking breo ellipta and incruse ellipta plus the salbutamol since I am still recovering from the bronchitis ( no more coloured flem , happy dance).  Does your dr recommend high impact cardio and if so would 20 min a day be enough? I still have laundry,dog walking,cleaning,cooking ect... As you all do I am sure. By the way the jump rope at the dollar store was a great investment already up to 200 jumps lol.

If you're in the States there are at least 40 different inhalers scattered across 4 or more categories.

No Pam, my doctor hasn't recommended high impact cardio.  When I told him I walk 2 miles a day, he said "that's great, walk 3 if you can".  Jump rope sounds like a great idea.  Also, I have an eliptical machine in my basement and use it sometimes when I have the TV on. I forgot to mention, I also have an albuterol rescue inhaler, but I've been fortunate enough that I have never had to use it.  Keep it in my purse all the time though.

Yes, and vice versa.

Oh almost forgot that's three to four times per day.

Exercise ,, yes ,but listen to your body and don't overdo it ,start at a level your happy with and build up gradually,,,,little and often ,is better than full pelt and then collapse into a chair for the rest of the day ,

Pam is it 3 -, 4 times daily or weekly?,

Lol it weekly, I would never in a million years be able to work out 3 or 4 times a day.  I actually managed 25 minutes of  hard cardio. Also walked the dog around the block, laundry,dinner took the bed apart and vacuumed and dusted the light fixture. So needless to say I got my excercise even though I was 5 minutes short.

Yeah I was thinking that if you could do 2 hours of cardio daily then you might be misdiagnosed.

Weekly haha