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COPD 78% ADVICE NEEDED

Posted , 5 users are following.

MSME
MSME

Hi I went to the doctors two weeks ago, doctor took bloods said it came back with low oxygen could indicate COPD, had a Spiro test with the nurse a few days later, i blew 78% the first time, then blew 102 the second time after i took my inhaler, Nurse said to me im 78% and have mild COPD and the doctor would be in touch, didn't hear from doctor so went today to discuss the results, Doctor said I was 102% and I don't have COPD, I explained the nurse had told me I was 78 and mild, doctor said she will find out if nurse had written it somewhere else, so now I am left confused and fed up with doctors leaving me feeling so ill and I am trying to pack up smoking because of this I went all day without a fag and now I have smoked, I really don't get how one person says I have mild COPD asnd another says not, Please need some advice I am so confuesd. TIA,

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • pam34048
    pam34048 MSME

    Posted

    Just wondering. Why you had a fag when you were told you may have copd.   Well anyway you got to get the numbers from your dr and discuss medications and a plan of action.  That usually means he will tell you got exercise, avoid crouds and get your shots.  If all is good and your blowing more than 100 percent you just got lucky.
    • MSME
      MSME pam34048

      Posted

      (Nurse) ofter spiro said I was 78% and had mild COPD, then Dr today tells me i was 102 and have not got copd,  but 102 was the reading after i had my inhaler, I am so baffled and now very stressed because nurse said it was clear the inhaler helped open my lungs because it went up to 102. Dr was reading the results of it after i took inhaler and not before.  How can one person say I have copd, and another say i haven't got copd. Obviously I need to know as i am really stressed now.

       

    • pam34048
      pam34048 MSME

      Posted

      I soooo understand your stress, I had the same thing was high after the inhaler so the dr said I may have asthma and sent me for this awful asthma test.  Well I did the asthma test and passed so that's how the dr knows it was copd.  You really need to know, I hate lazy dr but you have to push him into the actual numbers or redo the test.  Oh by the way an asthma test well one of them is called a methocholine challenge test.  Maybe all you have is a bit of asthma in any case it's going to reck  yor nerves till you find out.  

    • Vee2
      Vee2 MSME

      Posted

      Who referred you for the spirometry and prescribed the inhaler even before diagnosis of COPD?  There must have been  a valid reason to prescribe you with an inhaler and refer you for a spirometry test.

      Do you already have asthma maybe?

      I believe the before and after inhaler testing is for asthma patients, but I may have remembered this wrong so maybe research this yourself. 

      Asthma UK will have some advice on testing.

      Generally in UK I believe people withy COPD do not have the before and after inhaler testing.  generally people with COPD are not asked to stop using their inhalers for the spirometry test and generally people with COPD don't achieve 102 % 

      However people with COPD when spiro testing on inhaler meds can often achieve 78% and lower.

      Perhaps this page may help you understand the spirometry testing:

      https://patient.info/health/spirometry-leaflet

      https://patient.info/health/asthma-leaflet

      https://patient.info/health/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-leaflet

      If you get a copy of your spirometry results you can check things again here:

      https://patient.info/doctor/spirometry-calculator

      Try not to worry but do go back to the doctor and ask for an explanation once you have read the information concerning spirometry results on the patient uk links above.

      Whether asthma or COPD stopping smoking is a very good choice and will help you tremendously to breathe easier and help prevent  exacerbations.

      Best wishes V

      If 78% refer to the FEV1

    • MSME
      MSME pam34048

      Posted

      I already moved from a dr who would say it's my M.E/CFS everytime I went to see him for this and that, thought this new dr would finally get to the bottom of why I feel ill all the time, anyway hubby is p*ssed and he is going to call tomorrow get me an appointment to talk to her, he was in the room when I was told I had COPD, so we shall see, will let you know. Thanks for replying. Take care of yourself.  x

    • Vee2
      Vee2 MSME

      Posted

      Hope all goes well for your doc appointment, if you are having trouble breathing as in shortness of breath, you need a proper diagnosis as to what is the cause of your shortness of breath.

      You take care of yourself also.  Let us all know how you got on.

      Best wishes V

    • Vee2
      Vee2 aitarg35939

      Posted

      ME = myalgic encephalomyelitis

      CFS = chronic fatigue syndrome

  • aitarg35939
    aitarg35939 MSME

    Posted

    Here's what it sounds like happened:

    You didn't a spectrometry & because of the 78%, the test continued and, if you had no inhaler, the nurse provided one for you to use in the test progression. With aid of the inhaler, you blew 102.

    Either the nurse's notes were faulty or incomplete, or the doc didn't read them all. Before more time passes, go immediately to the nurse & ask to read her original notations, hoping she has them. Explain your problem with the doc. I hope this will solve the mystery.

    It's very hard to quit smoking. The 1st time I quit, at the 30day mark I had to take my hubby's dog to the vet only to learn that heartworm had filled his heart, had to be put down, yes they'd wait for hubby to get off work. I walked out of there at 2 p.m. and thought that now way would I get through that day without smokes, bought a pack & chain smoked all day.

    But tomorrow is another day. Destroy the rest of the pack if you still have them. The days add up: I just celebrated 10 years smoke-free. You can do this.

    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939

      Posted

      Argh, auto-mistake:

      Clearly, you DID the spectrometry ,,,

    • MSME
      MSME aitarg35939

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, hubby is angry and he is going to make an appointment for me tomorrow, as he was in the room when I was told I have COPD, will keep you posted. Take care of yourself. x
    • dave34184
      dave34184 MSME

      Posted

      If you aren't happy with r spirometry results get them done again.

      I just had my results , 54 lungs of an 80 year old

      Doc put me on Spiriva, told me vigorous? exercise daily , stop smoking .

      Test again in a year. COPD isn't reversible at the moment, but it's progression can be halted.

      If you don't stop smoking !! The disease will progress and it's game over. It's that simple if you want to live

      STOP SMOKING !!!!!

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