Posted , 11 users are following.
I was diagnosed with copd. I suspect emphysema but don't know how to get this checked or if the symptoms are different. Does anyone know? I asked the practice nurse and she looked blank then said copd is copd.
0 likes, 48 replies
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martin63346 jeannette48552
Posted
jeannette48552 martin63346
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Thank you for taking the time. I will see my doctor and ask him to refer me. 😊
brenda62546 jeannette48552
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COPD breaks down as, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is something that causes Obstruction in our lungs for breathing. This is a classification named for a number of lung diseases that fall under this classification. The top two are, Emphasema, and, Chronic Bronchitis. I think there may be a couple other diseases, but can't remember them.
You have every right to know which lung disease you fall under, within this classification (COPD). Knowing your disease can help in many different ways such as, finding what kind of treatments that have historically been used for a disease, the disease's progression rate, the types of surgeries or other surgical procedures can be used with your specific lung disease, the culprit of what caused the disease to form, and more.
Please tell your nurse that you want to know which disease falls with in the COPD classification, and which one do I have?
I hope I have helped,
Take Care,
Brenda
jeannette48552 brenda62546
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Thanks Brenda.
That was really helpful. I do want to know as my grandma died of emphysema but my questions get smiled at. I feel better armed now. 😊
hypercat jeannette48552
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Hi I get exactly the same response when I ask my nurse or doctor. They get angry and say it just all comes under copd now. I think they don't actually know.
I pushed the last nurse very hard and she said she thinks it is more likely chronic bronchitis, but I still don't know for sure.
I don't think it matters that much in the earlier stages, but certainly in the later ones it does. x
jeannette48552 hypercat
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Thank you for your reply. I agree with you! They don't seem to know and yet this is a common and fast growing disease in this country. All the information I have is from American sites where they are so much better informed. The common questions they tell you to ask is received with either blank stares or a mind your own business attitude. It's sad 😕
rod04227 jeannette48552
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Asthma is inflammation in the lungs inhibiting air flow and is reversible.
I have both and I think it is common to have both. But not sure.
hypercat rod04227
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Asthma isn't usually covered under copd as it is reversible with the right meds. Copd is not reversible and usually covers Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. Most people have primarily one with a bit of the others.
Emphysema is the destruction of the aveoli at the bottom of the lungs - the bit that exchanges gasses ie oxygen and carbon dioxide. CB is damage to the upper airways and the sacs of the lungs. Sufferers of CB often cough a lot and tend to have more mucus. x
jeannette48552 hypercat
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Thank you. I'm more convinced it's emphysema from what you have said.
pam34048 jeannette48552
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jeannette48552 pam34048
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Thanks Pat 😊
jeannette48552
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Pam!!! Predictive text 😃
pam34048 jeannette48552
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Lol I am the worst here for spelling, spell check is brutal to my posts. I am starting to get better by proof reading. Keep in touch Hun.🇨🇦
jeannette48552 pam34048
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Hahahahaha
! Will do. Keep smiling. 😃
margaret26238 jeannette48552
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robertgreynomad margaret26238
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Hi Margaret.
I am in Australia and I find it hard to understand why all of the comments on this post seem to have the same problem. NOT BEING TOLD THE TRUTH Or seeing Drs and practice nurses that just DON'T know..( forgive me if I generalise )
We don't have the stuff from " star treck " insist on seeing a LUNG specialist. Have an Xray / MRI because without these you will never know.
There are many lung conditions that show very similar symptoms.
Where are you all from that you are being treated ( or shoud I say, not being treated ) this way.
If you don't like what you are being told, get a second opinion. Its your body, look after it as best you can, BUT you can't do that without a complete and acurate diagnosis.
Unfortunately, COPD seems to be the forgotten disease and yet is growing at an expertential rate world wide.
The treatment once it is detected also has huge variation across the world.
Best wishes Robert.
hypercat robertgreynomad
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Hi I am in the UK and I wish the services you have are available to us under our NHS. I have been several times angrily refused even a CT scan on the grounds that it is 'not necessary'. As for an MRI scan words fail me. I know I am entitled to a second opinion but even when asking are refused point blank..
Ok I only have mild/moderate copd but sometimes even those with more severe copd are refused.
The only way I could do it is to pay privately, but even then I think I would still need a referral. Also over here if you go private sometimes the NHS won't take over the treatment and expect you to carry on paying privately. Few people here have private insurance. x
hypercat
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Oh also meant to say that it is far from unknown here to be diagnosed with copd for years then told later it's bronchiectasis. I have a friend - an ex-nurse who suffered needlessly for years before being rediagnosed with this. x
jeannette48552 hypercat
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Oooooooooo worth a mention. It's like they have no interest in this disease. 😕 thanks hypercat
jeannette48552 robertgreynomad
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I agree Robert. If a doctor decides you are being rather dramatic he can simply send you on your way. The reality is, they look after their funding and have to weigh up the cost v patient. Sad isn't it.
robertgreynomad jeannette48552
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Hi Jeannette. ( OZ ) So much for the NHS in the UK being the envy of the world.
I have a cousin in law in the UK who is a practic nurse who also specialises in COPD.
She is spending a couple of days with us latter this month and I will find out if this is a general thing or something more local to you.
COPD seems to be the forgotten disease by many across the world. Perhaps they are hoping that it will just go away! The bad news for them is IT WON'T. It seems to be growing at an expertential rate and although there is plenty of research being carried out across the world, it seems in many cases that people and forums such as this keep more up to date with developments than local GPs.
To be fair, they do have plenty of other things to deal with and are in the main over worked.
Even my own Specialist told me only 2 weeks ago that I could probably be dead within a year.!! Not really what I needed to hear, especially from him.!
I know that there is little that can be done for me, BUT a few words of encouragement would have been far better than that.
He has yet to work out that I am like that creaky old door. I will still be hanging, long after he has fallen !!!!!!!
We all know that Emphysema cannot be revearsed BUT there are things we can do to assist ourself in making the breathing problems far better.
I would LOVE to tell you what to say to these doctors and specialists. BUT iI am sure that the moderators of the site site would remove the post and probably me as well, from using the site.
Try your local MP, after all you have paid national insurance contributions for many years, its not there money they are spending, its yours. Its time politicians across the world realised it.
Woops, sorry slippped into another " hobby horse " of mine.
Regards Robert.
jeannette48552 robertgreynomad
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I totally agree with everything you said Robert. If the GP doesn't know that is why we have specialistsome. SEND US THERE. But it's all about budget! If there is equipment that will diagnose us better, GIVE US ACCESS. Buthe the cheaper option may be useless but they think it makes them look as though they are doing something. I have paid into this system all my life and hardly used it. Now that I need it is can hear the echo of my own voice. I wish I had paid into a private system all my life. If i had, I would be getting the help, information and use of proper diagnosis equipment all with a cup of tea and cake. 😊
jeannette48552
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Bloody predictive text wins again! I wish we could edit these messages 😁
robertgreynomad jeannette48552
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Hi Jeannette.
I was in a private fund in OZ for many years and I really did get the best of treatments and op's.
BUT since my wife and I have reatired we simply cannot afford it. I will say however, even with the health insurance there was ALWAYS a financial GAP to pay.!
I now rely on our public health system and I am getting as good a service as I had when in private. The emergence depts are fantastic and the only time I have had to wait, is if the proceedure is not life threatening.. Even then the wait has been no more than 6/8 weeks.
Perhaps I am lucky, because I have a friend who is having similar problems as you and he is seeing about 4 " specialists " and they still cant sort out his problems because non of them seem to communicate with each other.
Seems our health system here is now somewhat better than the UK. Just keep fighting and keep on there back, stir up the polititians ,TV stations and local papers they just hate that. Name and shame may be the way to go, they really hate that, Yes I can be a bit of a rebel but be careful what you say as it must only be the truth as you see it.
Good luck and keep up the good fight as the hymne says. !!
Robert.
jeannette48552 robertgreynomad
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You made me smile Robert. 😃 I will annoy them like a flea on a hairy back.
robertgreynomad jeannette48552
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Hi Jeannette.
WELL in that case the reply was worth the effort.
All you need do now is wipe the smile of there faces with your new found information and determination.
Can't wait for chapter 2.!!
sandy58386 robertgreynomad
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OMG Robert!!!! I cannot imagine that your physician told you that you would be dead within a year!!!! There are MANY people that live 15, 20 years with COPD. It just depends on how you fight it and what you do to take care of yourself! I think I would find another doctor!! I personally have had COPD for about 9 years but was FINALLY properly diagnosed 4 years ago. Prior to that, a different doctor just said "oh it's probably asthma". My heart goes out to you. DEFINITELY get another opinion.