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electronic cigs and COPD

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margaret26238
margaret26238

THIS YEAR I HAVE HAD CONSTANT BREATHING PROBLEMS AND ON STERIODS AND ANTIBIOTICS 4 TIMES NORMALLY ONLY TWICE A YEAR.  GREAT ON STERIODS THEN WHEN I COME OFF IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. DOES ANYONE THINK THAT THE E-CIGS IS OK OR COULD THAT BE A PROBLEM ? WAS OK FOR 2 YEARS BUT NOW ALL THE TIME I HATE THIS. I CUT BACK THE ALCOHOL AS WAS SO BREATHLESS THEN STARTED THE GYM BUT STILL THE SAME SO JUST DONT KNOW WHY OR IF IT COULD BE THE VAPING GOD I HOPE NOT

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • Vee2
    Vee2 margaret26238

    Posted

    Did you have confirmed lung infections when you were prescribed the steroids and antibiotics?  Breathing problems don't necessarily mean you have a lung infection.

    It is unwise to take steroids or anti biotics when there is no lung infection but only as prescribed by your doctor.

    As far as the vaping goes, ever thought there could be something in the e gics, perfume, flavour enhancers that could be causing you to react, only one way to find out really...

    E cigs, are meant to help people stop smoking, they were never intended to be a long term replacement for cigarettes and long term I believe they are harmful, but are helpful when the are used as originally intended.

    You may have already done this but if you haven't try searching on line using the following key words:

    allergies to e cigarettes

    e cigs long term effects

     

    • margaret26238
      margaret26238 Vee2

      Posted

      I have COPD and yes had a lung infection but then even after that cleared up i still am breathless most of the time where as before after the tablets were finished id be fine for months so that is why i cant understand this now as going up stairs or the smallest a braes i am struggling
  • laura50672
    laura50672 margaret26238

    Posted

    Hi there

    I had similar prob.

    Check the strength of your vape liquid ,l was using o.8. ....then a friend bought me 24 mg ..didn't check it oh boy

    Whoa I really. Felt it ....sort of two weeks later

    Out of breathe chest infection ect

    Then I saw I had been vaping 25 times stronger.

    So check your liquid

    I take isteroid a day ....had to argue with my doc

    But it works for me

    Good luck

    • margaret26238
      margaret26238 laura50672

      Posted

      no i only take 6mg since start of the year.  Strange thing is that before when i was on the higher strengh one think it was 16mg was never a problem and i was great That is why now i dont know what the heck is going on, I thought maybe as i am using a cheaper liquid but it is made in britian and seems to have all the same things in it. wish i knew. Wow i didnt know you could get a steriod a day if this is to keep going on id love that as i am sick of constantly thinking about it day and night and worried if im going to make it to work or not the next day
    • Vee2
      Vee2 margaret26238

      Posted

      long terms steroid use can lead to osteoporosis, not something I personally would risk for the sake of taking a steroid daily when its not really needed, but if you doc is happy to prescribe then at least you are aware of the risk.

      Most people with COPD always get easily short of breath, its all part of it but certainly shortness of breath does not mean oral steroids is the answer.

       

    • margaret26238
      margaret26238 Vee2

      Posted

      Can you tell me what is then? as i go to the gym i do deep breathing i do the lot. But i get so down at the thought that i cant even make it to the bus stop the next day far less the problem will i make it to work and noone understanding what i am going thro as when they see me they im not huffing and puffing so they just dont get it. I didnt know how lucky i was before simply to just breathe ha and not to worry each day Will i make it or not, i would give anything just to be able to walk without the worry again
    • Vee2
      Vee2 margaret26238

      Posted

      If your current prescribed inhalers are not working for you, you should go back to your doctor and explain your difficulties.  As I said before shortness of breath is, what is, when we have lung damage, it doesn't mean we are not able to do things, just means we are not able to do things the way we once could before the lung damage.

      You are managing the gym, that is good, so the medicine is working for you to some extent else you wouldn't be able to manage that.

      I am breathless walking.  I am exceedingly breathless if I try to walk briskly and I tire very easily when walking briskly or trying to do too much in the day.  So I / we adapt how we achieve getting from A to B.

      You may need to allow more time to get to work so you don't have to rush for instance, you may need to take pauses en route to the bus stop, these are all things many of us do and those who can't just drive everywhere, but it is better to keep walking and just do things differently to accommodate the breathlessness.  It really is no big deal, we live with breathlessness day to day but we can still do things.

      Definitely check in with your doctor if you think your symptoms have worsened recently, you may need a change in medication / inhalers, your doctor may want to check your lung functioning and listen to what is happening in the lungs.

      I think we would all give just about anything to be able to walk and breathe as a healthy lung person once again, keeping up exercising is a sure way to make the most of our breathing apparatus.

      Every one who has COPD understands perfectly but healthy lung people often don't unless they are a carer or relative of someone with 

      damaged lungs.

      Another tip is before undertaking exercise or walk to bus stop use your ventolin inhaler about 15 mins before hand.  This is something often recommended by the respiratory nurses and one of the many self help techniques which are communicated on a pulmonary rehabilitation course.  PR is by GP referral here in the UK

      All about inhaler medicines for COPD here:

      https://patient.info/health/inhalers-for-copd-including-inhaled-steroids

       

    • margaret26238
      margaret26238 Vee2

      Posted

      today when i went out i took my inhaler beforehand but on way was really struggling and so it doesnt help when im that bad. wasnt 15min before right enough i thought wd be just before. Allready worried if i will make it tomorrow when i go out I guess since this is only happened this year that im breathless all the time has just depressed me so much and wonder if i will ever get a relief like before Cheers

       

    • Vee2
      Vee2 margaret26238

      Posted

      Have you actually been to see your doctor about this problem.  If you haven't that is what you need to too and just communicate your difficulties as you have done hear.

      Your doctor / respiratory nurse can check your technique withy the inhalers also to be sure the medicine is reach its intended destination. Perhaps you need to use a spacer to help get the lungs deeper into your lungs.  

      Its important to see your GP as previously mentioned.

    • Vee2
      Vee2

      Posted

      Have you actually been to see your doctor about this problem.  If you haven't  that is what you need to do and just communicate your difficulties as you have done here.

      Your doctor / respiratory nurse can check your technique with the inhalers,  to be sure the medicine is reaching its intended destination. Perhaps you need to use a spacer to help get the medicine deeper into your lungs.  

      Its important to see your GP as previously mentioned. By getting things checked you may understand that the appropriate medical treatment can help your current difficults and improve things for you.

      Its up to you of course but it is recommended any deterioration in symptoms need to be treated asap in order to avoid further lung damage.

       

  • joyce_17112
    joyce_17112 margaret26238

    Posted

    No one replied about using the e cigarette. It's probably not good to inhale anything if you can help it. I smoked cigarettes for 40 years so quitting was a tough road. E cigarette helped alot. Now I am trying to stop using these. I am also researching alternative treatment. I use 3 different inhaler a day, Spiriva, Quvar80, and Proair.

    • margaret26238
      margaret26238 joyce_17112

      Posted

      i just  dont know about e-cig hope its ok tho. i have only got the blue easy inhaler but i use that lots now before hardly ever dont know if any other are better yet and my COPD Nurse is away for 2 months and was told noone in her place and i feel like im being a pain if go to doctor again
    • Vee2
      Vee2 margaret26238

      Posted

      If your breathing has deteriorated as you have mentioned, you are hurting your lungs by continuing to use the e cigs and your risk lung health, breathing ability by continuing and failing to see your doctor.
  • shannon63557
    shannon63557 margaret26238

    Posted

    I apologise if i am out of place, but you mentioned that you cut back on alcohol.  I researched a bit on liquor and copd and found a variety of testimonials. Personally, I find alcohol relaxes me and my breathing, which turns into a anxiety issue and then i tighten up and have to take a pill. That circles around to make me more uptight as now there is alcohol and a relaxant together. It is amazing how stress and anxiety can fool us into believing we actually have an upcooming exacerbation.

    Our summers  in Manitoba are hot and humid. We have a cabin at the lake and i cannot breathe outside. So I remain cooped up. Last  year I felt my breathing was labored and i couldn't cough up any phlegm. Totally freaked out and automatically took prednisone and my antibiotic.  Seemed to help a little but not like in the past. Had an appt with my lung doc and she said that it was likely due to the humidity and the constant barrage of airconditioning. Thus a waste of meds and the withdrawal.  Perhaps it is an issue with what type of solution you vape.  I was told never to vape as it is still an unnatural inhalant in your lungs.

    Have you ever considered the gum or patches?

    Try to relax (ha ha ha) and back track to when your problems began and what you were exposing your lungs to at that time. Anxiety will not help the situation, as you will just become more paranoid that you may have to give up ecigs. Speak to your specialist, that is what they studied for and that is why they should be able to console you with their advice Stay strong and keep visiting the gym. 

    I will think of you tonight in prayers.

     

    • margaret26238
      margaret26238 shannon63557

      Posted

      thank you i am geting so much anxiety now, driving me nuts Hard when doc tells you to go and see your COPD nurse but shes no available and noone in her place mental, then you go bk to doc and he tells you all is fine when go and you know its not and still wheezing and breathless i just feel im going mad now i know my own body and its not fine at all. sorry im being a pain in the bum Thanks shannon

       

    • shannon63557
      shannon63557 margaret26238

      Posted

      Pursed lip breathing has saved me many a time with helping to focus.  I noticed that you said that you know your own body.  That statement in itself shows that you are indeed in control more than you realize.  Personally I would once again speak to my doctor or COPD nurse.  I am presently going through a multitude of testing for a lung transplant and I have to take lorazapam to help me stay settled and breathe in a relaxed fashion. I was never a person to take pills unless absolutely necessary but somtimes you just have to do what can help at the moment in order to carry on for the next hurdle. I do not take them regularly but don't stress my self out to have a total meltdown and miss an appointment anymore. It is a wicked disease and will seek out any way to attempt to take over. Be strong, be aware and keep asking questions and if you are not satisfied with what your Dr. or nurse tells you, have them explain what other possible reason there could be for your conditon.

      I hope you do well, Keep writing as it is therapeutic for all of us and who knows maybe someone else has better advice due to their own experiences.

    • margaret26238
      margaret26238 shannon63557

      Posted

      i think this is hard to take for me as for 2 or 3 years i have been okay, if i was having a flare up wd take the steriods and antibiotics then could get on with my life but constantly since April this year had Chest infection and since then breathless constant and no matter the amount of steriods and antibiotics it never goes away and every month im at the doctors now i feel they are thinking im just imagining it.  Thanks for your kind words and hope all the testing goes well for you. I would pay a fortune just to not worry about breathing again, where as before i always said if i had enough money wd get a face lift Ha bugger that now x

       

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