1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chest Infections??

Posted , 9 users are following.

sandy58386
sandy58386

I've had COPD for about 2 years now and as far as I can discern, I've only had one chest infection.........unless I'm misinformed.  What are some of the symptoms that you, that have had many chest infections, have had?

0 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

Prev
  • emmgee
    emmgee sandy58386

    Posted

    I agree with virtually all the foregoing but beware that everyone is different and things can change as the disease progresses. Yes, with the benefit of hindsight, a good sign of infection was a horrid cough which kept the household awake all night and chunks of nasty coloured phlegm. I used diligently to keep some in a sample jar which I then took to the GP surgery for lab analysis to determine the best antibiotic to use but these days it is very rare indeed that I can cough it up & out, it gets so far up then goes down again - hopefully the other way (= swallowed) rather than going back. This is good & bad news - good in that I no longer have to suffer acute breathlessness during the coughing up process but bad in that I don't know what colour the stuff is that I am bringing up. 

    As for sensitivity to smoke, this will obviously differ between people but it may also be something that gets worse as the disease progresses. I can no longer stand any form of smoke or fumes - even bacon frying - nor water vapour, pollen or dust. 

    Best of luck !

    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 emmgee

      Posted

      To help move the mucus off your chest I take mucodyne tablets ,and it use a flutter devise ,,,remember it's better out as it breeds more germs and infections in the vase of your lungs ,I find that if I do the breathing exersises as shown by PR it helps move it ,
    • emmgee
      emmgee Nanny1086

      Posted

      Thanks Nanny. I've been on Mucodyne for many years now and the breathing exercises are of course invaluable ... but I know very little about flutter devices. Any info most welcome please (is it a case of fluttery will get you anywhere ?)
    • jude65855
      jude65855 emmgee

      Posted

      Ha ha funny!  I've never heard of flutter devices:   I do get a bit tired of the "teasers" on this forum where something possibly helpful is referred to but not explained.
    • jude65855
      jude65855 emmgee

      Posted

      PS And yeah I know I can google it, apologies if I'm a bit testy, it's early in the morning and I haven't been up long .......
    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 emmgee

      Posted

      Hi again , my copd nurse told me about them and I asked my GP if I can have it on prescription ( I wasn't hopefull ) but yes he said , I describe it like a pipe that men used to smoke , onside is a Ballbaring ,,,that moves when you exhale ,,,a simple devise. But it's brilliant ,I looked on amazon and they are about £45 to buy if GP won't prescribe, have a look on your tube to just type flutter devise ,,,,I use mine in the nmorning to help me shift the mucus that's built up over night ,,,much easier than doing extra hough sand puffs etc, (which I still do throughout the day ) but for the more difficult stuff the flutter is great ,good luck 
  • sandy58386
    sandy58386

    Posted

    Nanny.........excuse me for being ignorant, I am still a lot "newer" to COPD than many of you.  You talked about taking a medication "to bring up mucus that had collected during the night".  How do you know there is mucus that has collected that you need to get rid of???  I don't THINK I have a build-up overnight because I feel pretty good when I awake.  Thanks for the info.

    By the way Jude........good luck with your GP appointment!   XOX

    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 sandy58386

      Posted

      Hi if you had got mucus build up you would know ,but I was told by copd specialist nurses that it's best to do the hough and breathing exersises frequently as when it builds up that's when the infections start, as it builds up at the base of your lungs ,so chest clearance exersises are important ,hope that helps ,
Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.