Copd

sorry I have no idea what it means either. However I have been on Spiriva for years and it does help. they sometimes say I have slightly improved, I put it down the my mood, their mood, which nurse I get on the day. Feel happy however because the aim with COPD is to maintain the status quo which they say is the best we can do. Who knows? I am 77 and have have had COPD for many years. June

I'm 32, had a spirometry last year before Xmas, she said she didn't have some sort of inhaler what you use before the test cos she didn't think I'd turn up ha! My result came back moderate copd, I don't really get breathless or need any inhalers but I do cough up phlegm, but it does get worse doesn't it? And rare to have it at 32!

I am also new to this forum. I have had COPD for about 30 years and am 70 years old. I find I improve in certain circumstances such as warm (but not hot) weather and am worse in damp or foggy weather. I too have had Spiriva for a good 3 years maybe more and find it helps enormously, and had it prescribed by my first Consultant at the Chest Clinic, a well established top Consultant, who discharged me because I was on the maximum drugs available and remaining steady for 2 years. I deteriorated somewhat after a stroke and heart attack and my GP referred me for a second time to the Chest Clinic as he wanted me on home oxygen but had to go through the Chest Clinic. I got put under a very young "Consultant" (looked about 25 and loved the sound of her own voice and was very opinionated) and she reckoned it was a waste of time taking Spiriva if you are taking Serevent (which I do twice a day), I went back to my GP and he said it was the "new way of thinking" but to do what I was comfortable with, so I carried on taking it. I have never had a Spiro test and do not understand Margaret's results. Does a Chest Clinic do them or your GP? To cut a long story short, I will not be going back to the Chest Clinic as the Consultant talks such drivel as oxygen is oxygen whether I'm in London (with massive polution) or by the sea with my youngest son, where I feel so much better, but don't really have the option to move. To get back to the main subject, COPD doesn't actually improve much but you can halt it's progression by finding what makes you feel better and avoiding if possible, the things that make you feel worse.

Hi Outhwaite, we seem to have a lot in common. Just doing the best we can each day seems to keep the old engine running so far. I am on oxygen for about 17 hours a day and fill my day in mostly in photoshop. Keeping busy, not having time to brood is a big help. June

Hi June, think I may have worked it out how to post on the board....We'll see. Is it preferable to use people's avatar name or real name if people post it?

Not sure, I usually look to see how they sign their messages and follow that. June

I have no advice to give but I do have a warning --- I have chronic bronchial asthma and SVT, a rattly heart, that my cardio guy tell me has been caused by VENTILAN. Yes I have used Ventilan over many years, and very cautiously as I hate drugs. I have now been changed to Atrovent x2 daily but must take verapamil for the rest of my life -- PLEASE BE WARNED.

Hi Jay,

I can well believe Ventolin is bad for your heart with it's side effects. I find the inhaler fairly useless, and in a nebuliser can make your eyesight blurry. I read somewhere that Ventolin is not all that productive if you are takeing Atrovent. I take 2 puffs morning and night. Had to Google Verapamil, found out it was heart med for angina etc. Have not been offered it after heart attack and quite a few incidents of Angina and the GNT spray gives me the most awful headaches imaginable. I am on Clopidogeril for the rest of my life plus 75 mg aspirin, but both make you bleed like nobody's business if you cut yourself and you have to carry a card in case you are in an accident.

Anyway, thanks for the information, very helpful.

Regards, Val

Hi Val, Verapamil is the drug that suits me for my stupid heart that seems to like acceleration ( like me on my bike), had this SVT(doesnt hurt a bit, just scares the crap out of you ) for a year now and learning to cope(angrily) I just puff the Atrovent 2x with the Symbicort 160 (specialist told me its a childs dose, told her as I am exceeding immature it suits me) for the asthma. One so called specialist put me on aspirin but I realised what it was doing to my veins and STOPPED, WHY dont you stop? Do you look up your drug interactions? I do being an untrusting person .. Drugs .com ... all info and forums . - jay