could i have copd
Posted , 5 users are following.
hi could anyone help me please im 44 and been smoking for 19 years , last year a doctor told me that he thought i had copd and asked the nurse at the surgery to do a breathing test on me after the test they said it showed them that i had astma , they gave me an inhaler and that was that but for the last 5 months ive been having constant chest infections when they are bad ones i find it difficult to breath the doctors have been giving me steroids through the worst infections , i had a xray last month and it came bk showing i have an infection the doctor said this was the last lot of antibiotics that she was gona give me , but i still have a bad chest and wheezing and i cough constantly to clear the back ov my throat , did anyone else have these symptoms could i have copd thanks marie
0 likes, 6 replies
hanb marie18591
Posted
Firstly, *hugs*
Which Country are you in?
In my Mother's case, she was diagnosed from a CT scan, not x-ray.
You'll probably need this, Spirometry tests, and a referral to a lung specialist to confirm COPD and prescribe appropriate treatment, if that is your wish.
No UK GP can legally refuse these referrals if you request them.
Best wishes, with love, hanb
marie18591 hanb
Posted
hanb marie18591
Posted
She only had a CT after an x-ray of a lump on her knee came back as inconclusive. This diagnosed COPD, Emphysema and a 6cm lung mass.
She refused biopsies or treatment.
She died May with second stage cancer after 2 strokes.
I've learned, many die of COPD (which in itself is a 'blanket' diagnosis, an 'umbrella' diagnosis), cancer etc, without knowing, only diagnosed through Post Mortem.
Mother believed she was fine... Denial.
Best wishes, love and hugs, hanb
peter46309 marie18591
Posted
so i'd relax about having copd if they say you don't need a ct or chest x-ray, have it and have asthma. asthma is bad enough. My daughters had asthma but gradually it got better. If you are going to have a breathing debility, then asthma is probably the one to get, wierd though that sounds. I hope you get what I mean. The spirometry ests show you don't have copd and this test is a very good predictor of whether or not you have copd, although ct scans and even x-rays (x-rays aren't all that helpful unless copd is advanced) You could buy an oximetre and measure your blood sat levels which tell a lot if this would help. Just remember to do the oximetre right. Don't go for a long walk before hand, don't smoke beforehand as the oximetre is fooled into reading carbon monoxide as red blood cells, and only take the digital measurement after say, five minutes of normal, repeat normal breathing, sitting down, staying still and with your shoulders relaxed but straight.
sandy58386 marie18591
Posted
I was MISDIAGNOSED with asthma just by having a spirometry test 3 years ago. Symptoms became worse, ie. constant coughing, breathlessness, blood oxygen 72, dizziness, etc. A different GP IMMEDIATELY did an EKG, CT scan and it was discovered that I have COPD. You REALLY need to go to a pulmonary specialist...I can't emphasize this enough, because some GP's just "shoot in the dark" and guess what the problem is. A CT scan is very important, just like hanb suggested.
peter46309 marie18591
Posted
The gp is a fine-mesh screen, and should be regarde as such. Gp's are right 90% of the time at surgery test level. Misdiagiosis though, by that defination will happen in 10% of cases. Therefore if i was Marie I'd be optomistic about my chances about having asthma and not copd.