Copd

Christy I dont know where you live, but that s disgusting, could you not get a 2nd opinion? I have never heard of a GP asking a patient to sign a DNR. Hope you can some help xx

They are not alays right you know..

But as fa as I am aware a DNR can only be saked for an agreement and it is not for your GP to autherise or present you with a DNR request??

In other words, It is your wifes wish wether or not she want to be resusitated NOT YOUR DOCTORS SAY SO..He is not God and has no right ( even if you wife was too ill to sign a DNR... to say that and to say that in such a off handed way ( that is how I read your post anyway )

Now the nurse is saying their is an imrovement of saturation.... that can only be good.. Don`t know what she has done to have this improvement but whatever it is ... Keepng it.

Tom.

Dear Christy

This doctor has acted in a totally unprofessional manner. You must insist on a second opinion. You could also ask the practice for a copy of their complaints procedure. Is there anyone to advocate on your behalf? Maybe the local Help the Aged or similar organisation can advise on advocacy. It is good that the nurse is seeing an improvement. Stay positive and please challenge this appalling treatment.

Dear Christy......Oh my......I am totally shocked and disgusted by the way your doctor treated you!!!  PLEASE request a referral for a Pulmonary specialist.  You REALLY do need to change doctors.  I am unfamiliar with a "test from the ear".  There is SO much help and treatment that can be done for COPD, even though there is no cure for it.  Please keep in touch; however, I would NOT be giving up and "preparing for her death".  Goodness......my heart goes out to both of you!

The blood test from the ear shows the Percentage of oxygen saturation (SATS) and if it shows an improvement that can only be good.  The normal procedure would not be to withdraw the Oxygen, but to gradually reduce the flow rate with strict monitoring.  You can do this your self by asking for a oxymeter (the littler box that clips on your finger). They are cheap to buy on the internet now, between £10-£20 if they wont give you one.

As for the rest of what you have reported...............................I am still in genuine  shock to believe that this kind of behaviour still exists in today's medical environment  My heart goes out to you, the last thing you need is this kind of rubbish when dealing with your situation, and if true it is absolutly appalling.

Do try and get help as soon as you can.

Take care.,

MIchael

 

If all else fails contact your MP. x

Hello Christy, I can totally beleive what you said. My husbands consultant called me in for a meeting with her in mid June. I too was told exactly the same thing, we were totally devastated. She would not offer any alternative treatment. As "luck" would have it he was admitted to hospital with another chest infection. Upon which a different consultant saw him and prescribed a different medication to which he responded to. Hence we changed to this consultant, ok he is actually in hospital again now with another infection but the same consultant is overseeing his care, and I'm so pleased with this new consultant, totally different to the last one. As for the DNR, this was discussed with our GP after the consultants prognosis, but he's an excellent GP and it was done in a very caring manner. The idea being if required meds will still be given but resuscitation by CPR will not be carried out. This is because sadly our loved ones couldn't tolerate some one pumping away on their chest and if they were to be resuscitated then their quality of life would be nil. I feel for you as this illness is so unpredictable not even day to day, sometimes hour to hour. Keep up the fight as I do and I wish you and your loved one all the very best. Xxx

Doctors just can't win sometimes:  there are other posts on this forum of people upset that they're NOT being told when people reach the stage you're describing.

Personally I'd rather know if death is approaching than live in a fool's paradise:  we all know that COPD will get us in the end if something else doesn't do so first - it's just not curable and eventually nothing works any more.

I don't understand what the "test from her ear" is, but COPD can fluctuate and if she doesn't need as much oxygen for a while surely that's a good thing?

I'm sorry you and your wife are so distressed but it sound to me as if the doctdor was giving you information you needed to  have, unpleasant as it is.

Hi there ,my heart goes out to you and your dear wife ,I would ask for a second opinion ,,,that IS your right. ,,,but if it was me I would ring and ask to speak to and arrange a vist from your pulmary Nurse ,as far as I am aware most UK surgarys so have one ,,,the Pulmary nurse is a specialist nurse in lung related illnesses ,they specialised in this field ,and in my opinion know a lot more about copd and related illnesses than the GP ,,,

or you could ring the British a Lung Foundation fir help and advise they to are brilliant ,and then you could always ring your wife's consultants secratery and ask for an urgent appointment ,I'm sure under the  circumstances they would make an appointment for you ,

you both deserve to be treated with more respect than  you have been ,

in the meantime you are in my prayers ,god bless you both ,much love ,

 

Hi christy17570,

I'm confused...you say it's your wife but it sounds more like your mother maybe?? And are you male or female with your name being Christy? That might seem pushy but I just want to address you and her appropriately. Anyway...if you were offended and shocked then that Dr definately did NOT tell you this in a caring manner and where is the Pulmonologist? Doesn't she have a lung Dr? What are they saying? It sounds like this GP doesn't know what else to do for her and wants things to be legal for him if something happens. Get a second opinion from a lung Dr!! And in the States...we would report him to the American Medical Association (not sure if that's the full name) but he can be reported I'm sure even in the UK. I don't know why anyone on here would side with the Dr bc perception is everything and clearly this man is letting you know he's done. But that doesn't mean SHE'S done!! But if you walked away hurt, then he did not handle it right. They aren't God...they are Drs and can be uncaring at times even if they don't mean to be. But...there are many who really need to work on their compassion a bit. Please keep us informed....ladyjack51

Hello Christy. I agree with Susan's comment. After being hospitalised in Spain for 2 weeks last year , whilst on holiday , with severe pneumonia, my husband and I were told that it would be 3 to 6 months until his health returned to where it was. Unfortunately it did not improve as his lungs were to damaged. When we saw the consultant 6 months later he suggested palliative care under a local hospice. It really came as a shock but in fact when we got over that it has proved to be very beneficial. They explained that he will not improve but that they will help him to have as good a life as possible for as long as possible (hopefully a few years yet!). They monitor him and deal with any problems asap whilst being very upbeat, caring and positive. He was also asked about the DNR form and it was explained exactly as Susan says. Yes it is a shock but it is the truth and that its what we want. They have encouraged him to sort out his affairs, discuss everything (ie funeral etc) then put it all to bed as it is NOT imminent and therefore is easier to talk about. Reaching this stage is never easy but it is just another stage and we have learnt to make the most of where we are now for as long as we are able. They describe it as a river journey, you hit Rapids, your boat capsizes, you get back in, you can't go back down the river where you have come from but you start again on a different journey. This is somewhat long winded but I hope it helps. Good luck to you both.