COPD

Thank you Lill...I So appreciate your reply also. No..my Dr. didnt refer me to anyone as of yet..im on a inhaler, and have a nebulizer. I dont smoke anymore, this is why i thought it might be asthma caused from my Gerd. I'm trying to relax and calm down, but this is not easy to do. ive been so sick for 4 years with this Gerd, and now this..its too much. and yes..she did say she caught it early, so im thankful for that. Im happy i was able to find thid forum, and the nice people on here. Im having a hard time with all of this. Thank you again, and Jude also..

Sounds as though you have had a rough time Denise.

Four years of putting up with that GERD.

How have you dealt with that? As in what have you or the physician done for it?

Lill

Im on Nexium 40mg in the morning, then pepcid 20mg midday, and one at bedtime. Im on a Gerd Diet, which is also difficult. But the nausea has gone away, and i can swallow now. its been a nightmare. and now this...This is why i think its more asthma from the Gerd that COPD, but she said no...

I understand Denise.

And COPD and GERD often go together...no fun that is for certain.

Have you elevated the top of your bed? And also I know it is a help to avoid eating for three hours before laying down as well.

Having nausea on top of this makes it tough as well...and good news it has at least lessened.

Having the head of the bed raised, is a big  help.

I sure hope things will settle down and you will have some better days very soon.

The COPD can be well managed...and maybe if the GERD hasn't improved much the physician certainly should come up with alternative treatment that would work better. There are so many different medications now.

Lill

Gerd is a little better, now today my stomach is a knot from the copd diagnosis! All ive done is sit here and cry for hours now!! , The best medication for the Gerd is Nexium, i truly seen a difference in this. Im 60 years old and feel like im 90! , Ive GOT to get a handle on this, and talking to you and Jude has helped. Thank you both so much.. Im going to try to go to bed, im exausted... 

Aw.

Denise. Get some good sleep. You are worn right  out.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

Bless you

xoxo

Lill

I am worn out Lill..Im litterally sobbing here all alone! Thank you for being here for me, and Jude also. I am scared to death right now. 

Hi Denise

I hope you're feeling a bit better today. With each passing day perhaps you'll feel a bit stronger and better as your inhalers begin working for you.

It is possible to be diagnosed with COPD 10-15 yrs after one quit smoking

Raising the head of your bed should help some with both GERD & COPD. You can put a board under the upper legs; a length of 2 x 4 works well. Don't know UK equivalent, 2 " x 4".

I'm 61 and was diagnosed with GERD & COPD almost 20 yrs ago, small hiatal hernia too. I must have had a much milder case because over time I've been able to do without meds and control with diet. Something many of us have learned is that both conditions are helped by weight loss and exercise. There are also specific exercises to help you maintain whatever lung function you've got for as long as possible You can look those up online.

Good luck

Aitarg.

aitarg35939, Thank you for your reply and support!!, I hope all of you know that having you here for support helps so much!!,  I slept good last night, but when i woke up, i felt as if i were in a state of shock. Scared me for a few minutes! , until i was awake, then i was ok...just feel quite nervous for some reason.  I do have the front of my bed raised with 3 pillows, plus i also sleep in my recliner at times to be elevated.  I do follow a Gerd diet also, and drink alot of water. I walk on the treadmill at the Gym when i do get there, as the last few months ive been painting my apartment, and its  been quite a job. (wear a mask). I don't know the percentage on my PFT test, she just said it was low. Ive been reading alot on here as far as exercises, walking, swimming. So it has helped me. I thank you for the kid words today, and appreciate your comment. Hope your feeling ok too!, Amazing to hear you were diagnosed 20 years ago! , keep doing what your doing!  

Great post DawnDedee.

I agree.

DawnDedee, Thank you for your response. Yesterday was a major disaster for me, and i had a major meltdown!!, i also think mine is asthma instead of COPD because ive had severe Gerd for 4 years, and you can get asthma from it. Mine is in the esophagus, I get nausea, and difficult swallowing, and had lost alot of weight until i was given Nexium. Then after about a year, i developed a severe cough from the Nexium, and it has just escalated..I see my regular Dr. for this now, as she said i have a mild case. Im on a ihaler that really works well, and i got the nebulizer yesterday. used it when i got home, and didnt notice a different. Thank you for all your kind words, and i hope we can stay in touch also USA!  

Vee2, Thank you so much for these kind words, you have NO idea how much i appreciate the help!!. Im a little better today, still nervous, but better after reading all you've have sent me. I will keep all these to come back to , when im struggling. My Gerd is under control most of the times. Sometimes, i get a upset, which is normal. But the Nexium works wonders!! , Then albuterol inhaler works good too!, I got the nebulizer yesterday, did the one treatment, but noticed nothing. Not sure if this is normal or not, But at least im doing the vile of albuterol, and listening to the Dr. Thank you again V. !! 

Hi Denise

If the nervousness continues for more than a week, and/or if it worsens, let us know.

Aitarg

Hi Dennise, in UK the nebulizer is used as a last resort, ie that's when normal inhaler meds are not working, or you are having difficulty inhaling and I mean real difficulty, can't get your breath, in distress difficulty.  

Nebulizer drugs are not normally prescribed to people in UK with mild COPD.  If I were you I would save my money on the neb meds since the albuterol inhaler works well.  But of course if your doctor has prescribed you nebulizer medicines that are different from the albuterol then you must be guided by what your doctor has prescribed for you.

 

aitarg35939...its escalated a bit so far this morning, but will let you know, thanks so much..

Vee2, When i see my Dr. Again, im going to tell her i see no difference with the nebulizer, ill just use the inhaler until then. I thought i would see a difference, but i didnt. very strange. 

In the States nebulizers are used both prophylactically as whenever I have surgeries my docs require nebulizer treatments 4 or 5 times daily, and for people who are having a lot of coughing fits. I sometimes get on coughing jags which my inhalers don't stop so then I use the nebulizer We don't know why the doc ordered the nebulizer tee or you. Did you get the machine in doc's ofc or did you have to get it somewhere else?

aitarg35939, I got the nebulizer at a Hospital Supply Store, and my Dr. Called into the pharmacy for the albuterol viles.....BUT....Wanted to share this with you and the others....I decided to look for a Pulmonary Specialist on my own, Had my Appoitment today, he redid the Chest Xray, I had the PFT results faxed over to him, and i was right all along!!..I don't have COPD or Emphysema, The specialist told me i have bronchial asthma brought on from my esophageal Gerd. He also added 1 more nexium at bedtime. I was given a sample of BREO and its used only oce every 24 hours. (IF NEEDED) , He said i don't need to use it everyday, if i feel ok. Also,.he was NOT fond of all this Albuterol i was given, as its not to be used as a everyday medication, Only for a rescue inhaler!, as far as the nebulizer...he said if im coughing, wheezing..then use it....I knew there was something not right from the beginning of this nightmare!!!, All i can advise others to do is go that extra mile, and get a SECOND opinion!!!, And always see the type of Doctors that specialize in the disorder. 

What great news, Denise! Here's hoping that some day soon your GERD will start to abate

Hi Vee2, 

I could not live without my nebulizer.  I have done it twice a day for many years and I really feel that the moisture from the saline in the solution, helps me more than just an inhaler.  It is like standing beside the ocean breathing that wonderful clean salt air.  When I am at the ocean, which is not often enough, it always feels as if I have been given new lungs!  

My lungs are severe.  Between the ages of 27 and around 32, I lost 70% of my lung capacity to permanent damage.  Never smoked, but was exposed to heavy second hand smoke in my growing up home.  The nebulizer opens up my lungs so that the steroid inhalers can get in there better.

There is a neb medicine here in the US called DuoNeb.  It has the albuteral plus another ingredient, (cannot think of it right now), that relaxes my breathing muscles.  It is wonderful!  It is interesting how medicine, despite being practiced on similar human beings, can be so different from country to country.

Cheers!

Dawn, USA

Such wonderful news Denise!  Congratulations on being proactive and searching for the pulmonary doctor! 

DawnDedee...Thanks so much, and i would advise everyone to do the same! Get that second opinion!!, Im now on a inhaler called BREO used only one time a day if needed, and my albuterol rescue inhaler IF needed. So far today?? , I have not used a thing! I know having Bronchial Asthma isn't no fun either, but i will do everything this Dr. has told me to do...

aitarg35939, Thank you SO much, and for ALL the support i was given on here!..I'm doing better, and going to follow all this Drs rules!!, as anyone knows, ANY breathing issue is a problem, and WE have to follow the Drs advice. He added 1 more Nexium at bedtime, so the acid don't back up when im asleep, causing more coughing! 

DawnDedee....my nebulizer only had Albuterol with it, Im going to order the salt water, and it can also be made at home with 1 cup sterile water, 1 tsp. of salt. Bring to boil, and let cool. Its cheaper than buying it, but all i have is the albuterol, and i was causing me to have High Blood Pressure problems too, This is why i couldn't sleep. So he told me to only use it for RESCUE only! ...Im going to try the water in my nebulizer, as i think it will really help me too!! Thank you for the idea!  

Hi Dawn, I did say in UK nebulizers are not usually prescribed for people with mild COPD, of course they are when lung damage is severe and the other medicines are not working well enough to aid breathing, but still even then, they are not recommended to use as a matter of course but as a back up for when patients are in great difficulty or distress.

I am glad to see denise11111 doesn't have copd after all.  Congratulations denise..  

Vee2, Yes..im feeling better. The pulmonary Dr. gave me BREO for asthma, and its a one a day inhaler, but only if i need it. So i dont have to use it everyday. He also added 1 more Nexium at bedtime, and that has stopped the coughing at night, and its only been a few nights! ...He did tell me with esophageal Gerd, a person can get asthma...This is why i knew the 1st diagnosis was wrong!!, So i advise everyone, get that 2nd opinion, I dont see him now for 6 months!!  This Gerd is also a nightmare, and i have had this for 4 years. I have a diet i have to follow also...but i feel alot better thanks to ALL of you on here...This is so great that these forums are here, they really can help a person going threw all this..

 

Also....forgot to tell you guys...the albuterol has caused my blood pressure to sky rocket!!, so im going to need a prescription for the saline 9% solution for my nebulizer, and i can only use it for emergencies!! , my BP was 165/105 the day i seen the pulmonary Dr!!  unbelievable! 

Hi Dennise,

Its great you no longer have COPD, as you mentioned above.

I think there is an asthma board and probably a Gerd discussion forum, check the search box top right.  

Best wishes OJ

Yes..im aware of that...im in several groups. I was only answering your reply!