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Haven't needed to use my inhaler in over 10 days!

Posted , 3 users are following.

terri69807
terri69807

Wondering if I actually have COPD.  I was getting very anxious/stressed and also having terrible pain in my joints.  Turns out this can be a side effect of the inhaler I was using.  My GP suggested, if possible, that I try and stop using my inhaler and see if that helped.

It has definitely helped, I'm less stressed and the pain has left.  Years ago I did a spirometry test and never got the results as I moved away.  A while back my current GP, out of the blue, said to me that I have COPD.  For some reason I said - I know.  Shortly thereafter the scripts for many kinds of inhalers, etc. were given to me to try, the majority of which I couldn't use due to severe reactions to them. 

Growing up I had chronic bronchitis, normally every November I was off school for weeks.  I haven't had bronchitis since my early 20's. 

I'm certainly not suggesting or advocating that anyone else quit using their inhaler, unless under the advice of their doctor.  Wondering if anyone else has had the same experience?  I am now not on any meds. of any kind and am doing ok.   

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • gbhall
    gbhall terri69807

    Posted

    You may have been misdiagnosed, and just had bronchitis when young, and grew out of it. 

    If you actually DO have COPD, it will recur at some age, but you can put it off for a long time by taking simple precautions.  Always exercise and keep very fit, but not such as to over-strain your heart and lungs. Never smoke, even second-hand. Avoid like the plague anybody with a lung infection. Do not use irritants in the house such as scents, candles, cleaning sprays. Never allow mould to develope. Avoid petrol and diesel fumes as far as possible.

    The fact that standard inhalers don't agree with you is an important indicator to you having sensitvities in your lungs, and to avoid allergy problems see below. If any kind of lung flare-up occurs, study changes in your recent life such as

    - any newly prescribed medication if the skin reaction has showed itself since starting it.  (check info leaflets that come with the medicines prescribed)..

    - food allergy, something eaten that you don't normally eat.

    -  different washing powder

    - something new in clothing recently, a scarf or other garment

    - different after shave, soap, cream, something that not used previously etc.

    • terri69807
      terri69807 gbhall

      Posted

      Thanks so much gbhall for the informative reply to my post!  I try to do most of what you have suggested, ie. use "green" cleaning products, a non-scented washing powder, etc.  The area I fall down in is exercise, don't get enought of it.  When I had my dog I used to walk for miles with her, sadly she passed away and I couldn't bring myself to get another dog. 

      Another point that you make that I didn't used to be good at is reading the leaflets that come with a new med., kind of a stick your head in the sand approach instead of being informed.  As I have such a sensitive system and I'm very small in stature and weight, I now definitely check and read thoroughly when prescribed any medication.

      Thanks again gbhall. 

    • josephine_30311
      josephine_30311 terri69807

      Posted

      I can go weeks and weeks without needing my inhaler .. and like you terri, I had so few symptoms, I assumed I'd been misdiagnosed and got on with my life. And THEN .. I got the flu and it  'went straight to me chest' as they say. Only THEN, did I really accept that I had a problem .. I thouight I was flippin' dying!  .. So gbhall is spot on! Exercise regularly (just a brisk 10 minute walk a day can work wonders), eat healthily, keep away from anyone who even so much as sneezes, always wash your hands when you've been anywhere, and learn how to breath properly. (Plenty of videos to show you how on Youtube).

      Most importantly .. DON'T worry.

      Jo

    • terri69807
      terri69807 josephine_30311

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing your experience josephine.  Now to get that daily walk going...  I try to eat healthy foods, however, being on my own sometimes

      that isn't always the case. 

      Terri

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