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I had my annual copd review this week

Posted , 8 users are following.

hypercat
hypercat

I am a bit confused by the results.  According to the nurse via spirometry my FEV1 has increased from 66% to 78% in just over a year and I can't see any reason why.  I actually feel worse with more sob.

The nurse ignored my 3 chest infections in 4 month,  my 'severe' symptoms such as not being able to keep up with my peers walking on the flat and also having to stop for breath after walking on the flat.   When she did my sats they were only 91% and they are often as low as that.  

She said all these are because I am still smoking.  Could this be the case?  I don't want any smoking advice please as I know I must give up but do you think I should investigate these symptons further?

She said I looked a good colour and wasn't out of breath talking to her so she wasn't worried.   

I think this is rubbish and she is fobbing me off.  What do you all think please?  

Thanks  Bev x

0 likes, 69 replies

69 Replies

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  • julia14760
    julia14760 hypercat

    Posted

    Hi again Bev, I've just thought after seeing the last comments by Jude there's a good book by Alan Carr  about giving up smoking, can't remember the title it so long ago since I bought it. I did go on his course which was very good, I did stop smoking but stupidly started again., my friend stopped and has never smoked since. Might be worth a read. Good luck xx
    • jude65855
      jude65855 julia14760

      Posted

      That's the fellow:  have a google, there are courses which advertise 100% success rate (probably not really) with money back if it doesn't work.

      Even just his books are helpful - try your local library.

      Does UK have something like QUIT - Australian government funded body to support people giving up?

      Seventh day adventist groups are reputedly fairly successful too - try everything and anything I say!

    • julia14760
      julia14760 jude65855

      Posted

      Hi Jude, I have stopped smoking, 5 yrs ago. When I went on the course I paid £90, money back guarantee , I read the book first and found it really helpful. That's many years ago now tho. I sympathise with Bev because I too struggled very badly to stop smoking and people going on at me didn't help at all it just made me feel inadequate and weak which in turn made me more stressed. I greatly admire people who can give up easily but we are all not so lucky. I'm suffering now because I didn't stop earlier but I did try really hard. My consultant gives his patients 6 months to quit otherwise he refuses treatment, I told lies and told him I'd quit. Really pathetic I know.
    • hypercat
      hypercat julia14760

      Posted

      Thanks Julia I have got that book somewhere.  Must dig it out and have a gander.  

      Bev x

    • jude65855
      jude65855 julia14760

      Posted

      I totally agree that people telling anyone to stop smoking doesn't work, my own theory about that being that a lot of us (esp women) started to be rebellious, so will rebel against any orders to stop.

      I actually started smoking again a few times many years ago when my mother told me she was pleased I'd stopped!  How childish is that?

      I don't tell anyone to stop smoking, but I do tell people what I'm experiencing as a result of smoking and why I couldn't smoke again even if I were in perfect health, because I always think of the sexual explotation of small children working as slaves where the tobacco is grown - I just can't support that and I don't understand how anyone can.

      At least 2 people I've given that information to have stopped smoking so I will continue to pass on that information, which comes from Medicin sans Frontiers (excuse if spelling not correct).

    • julia14760
      julia14760 jude65855

      Posted

      I agree about telling of our experiences because if we can stop just one person from making the same mistakes is worth while.
    • jude65855
      jude65855 julia14760

      Posted

      Thanks, I'll continue to do so even though sometimes I'm then accused of yelling, using scare tactics, bullying etc, which as a now non-smoking addict I wouldn't dream of doing to someone ese
  • brenda62546
    brenda62546 hypercat

    Posted

    Well, if you can talk them into giving you a cat scan or x ray (cat scan is better for identifying reasons), then they may be able to inspect the lungs and find possibly Asthma, even though the PFT basically states COPD. It may be something like Asthma, and Asthma has it's seasons....Asthma can happen at any age too. Alot of people with Asthma get it at later ages, but if so, it is called Chronic Asthma, since usually it won't go away if started at an older age. Sometimes the young are lucky to rid of it during their adult years. 

    There are a lot of conditions that fit under the label 'COPD', so you need to know something more specific, whereas they must inspect the lung tissues. They could also take a sample of tissue, or take a blood gas test (aspiring from needle), or cat scan, or x ray. Just let the GP know that you need something more specific and need the tests to find it.

    I use to smoke and quit 25 years ago. But from what I've heard, that smoking with COPD only progresses the condition at a faster pace than normal, so is best to quit if you want to take care of your health. Please quit so your condition will worsen at a fast pace. I know people who kept smoking after they had their COPD diagnosed, and now wish they had not...always looking back and regretting..please quit. Thank you and good luck!

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546

      Posted

      Sorry, but I meant to add a word in the last paragraph (please see my comment above)

      I meant to add the word, "NOT"......'please quit so your condition will NOT worsen at a fast pace. 

      Sorry, and thank you again! :-)

    • hypercat
      hypercat brenda62546

      Posted

      Thanks Brenda I know a few people like that too.   I know smoking increases the illness faster and that does worry me.

      I have asthma too and was diagnosed around 25 years ago.  This must contribute towards the sob as well.   According to the spirometry test I had this is currently at 75% of normal.   

      Bev x

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 hypercat

      Posted

      Hypercat, you are very welcome, and good luck to you my friend! 
  • jendog
    jendog hypercat

    Posted

    Hi There.  I am 56 years old and was told in November that I have stage 4 COPD/emphyzema, I have 27% lung function.  My doctor would recommend me for a lung transplant if I didn't smoke. (Shocked!!!)  I am 2 points from being on oxygen.  I have tried to quit smoking for YEARS with no success.  After receiving my diagnosis, I still didn't, can't believe it.  I don't feel that I am THAT ill.  I once again, (have had several) got a prescription for Chantix.  I have only had about 10 cigarettes since January 1, 2015.  I have been a few weeks without any at all.  I am quite proud I have been able not to resist to the urge to smoke.  I want one every day!!!!  I want to be here for my granddaughter's graduation and marriage and to see my son get married and have children some day.  THIS is why I am trying soooo hard at this point.   If I don't quit - COPD will kill me!!!  I have smoked since I was 15....   You can do it too Hypercat - when you find what trigger's it for you - you will stop.  Take care, I wish you the best...
    • julia14760
      julia14760 jendog

      Posted

      well done you're doing great,keep up the good work, just think of the benefits. I wish you all the very best for the future. XXXX Julia 
    • jude65855
      jude65855 jendog

      Posted

      Goodonya!  It's not easy, l but it IS WORTH IT even at yr late stage of COPD.   Just do it one day at a time or one 1/2 hr at a time if a day at a time is too long to cope with and remember you go without fags while you sleep, not too many smokers wake up regularly in the night for a smoke, so if your body can cope with no nicotine while you sleep it can also cope while you're awake.

      AND remember every drag contributes to sexual exploitation of child slave labour in the tobacco industry in underprivileged countries - that's what's stopped me from ever smoking again, because who wants to contribute financially to that?

    • jendog
      jendog julia14760

      Posted

      Thank you for the encouraging words Julia - everyday I don't smoke is a little bit easier and I never thought I would be able to say that for sure!!
    • jendog
      jendog jude65855

      Posted

      Thank you for the information Jude.  I live in the states.  There are alot of tobacco growers and manufacturers here.  I did not realize that children were used in other countries.  Unfortunately, it makes sense, I should have known....
    • jendog
      jendog

      Posted

      Sorry, I [u]have[/u] been able to resist the urge- so far...
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 jendog

      Posted

      We knew someone whose son was hooked on herion at age 12, and he claims to have gotten hooked on it, while he and his mother worked in the tobacco fields in a southern state, before moving into our town. This was many years ago, so we don't see or visit with this boy any more. I had no idea that the tobacco fields carried on like this regarding children, and looking back at the boy, it makes more sense. I thought it was only him, but now wonder how many more kids are becoming hooked in that field? Terrible! Thank you for informing/educating me/us.
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 jendog

      Posted

      Jendog, Congratulations! My brother used Chantix, and it greatly helped him with quitting cigarette, and it is final this time. He was a very heavy smoker since he was about 15 years old..he quit at age 60. 
    • jude65855
      jude65855 jendog

      Posted

      I only knew because I heard a doctor being interviewed on the radio a few years back and as she was with Medicins sans Frontiers I believe her:  after all the tobacco companies are hardly going to tell us, are they?
    • jude65855
      jude65855 brenda62546

      Posted

      If you read my post I was specifically referring to third world countries and why wd they pay money to get kids hooked on heroin?  I don't get what you're saying, sorry. and I'm sure you've misunderstood my post
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 jude65855

      Posted

      Jude, I was addressing another member's comment, because they stated they live in the US, and so do I. I was pointing out that I knew someone who worked in a US tobacco field, and got messed up on herion, while working there. It had nothing to do with your comment.  

      If you are asking me, 'why would they pay kids to get hooked on heroin'? Well, just to show, it is not a very nice place for children to work at, and simple as that. I don't know the in's and the out's as what got him started on his addiction, but working there is depressed due to 12 hour hot day shifts, and pesticides and dangerous machinery.  It is not that they 'intentionally paid him' to become a junkie. I did not misunderstand your post, since I read it well, but I think you misunderstood my reply posting, since it wasn't addressed to you but to someone else. Please don't get so unrattled on these postings Jude, since we are ALL her to help each other! I remember you were rattled on another posting too, but can't re-call which one right off. 

    • jude65855
      jude65855 brenda62546

      Posted

      Well sorry if I misunderstood who you were replying to, but yr post was placed immediately after my comment about child slave labour, so maybe we should hold the moderators responsible for that?

      I'm not rattled or unrattled (make up your mind!) and I am here to help others and to ask for help when I need it:  I don't know why you'd think otherwise about me given that you don't know me at all.  If by "rattled " or "unrattled" you mean I have strong opinions and express them, I don't apologise for that.

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 jude65855

      Posted

      You did seem rattled, or 'startled', about my response.

      My response was posted as a response to someone else's post. The person I responded to had previously made a response to your post. But, I could see how they could have gotten confused...lol.

      To answer your questions in your last paragraph: I only stated one word, 'rattles' (so don't have to make up my mind), and NO I am not saying that 'you have strong opinions and express them' (so, no need to apologize)...lol. 

      Sorry you misunderstood me, and thank you for your apology too. Hopefully, we will get off to a better start next time! :-)

    • jude65855
      jude65855 brenda62546

      Posted

      In third last line of yr post you use the word "unrattled", elsewhere you say "rattled", hence the confusion
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 jude65855

      Posted

      Rattled or Unrattled, really mean the same thing, but I can see how you could have gotten confused. I wanted to use a nice sounding word, so I used rattled/unrattled. Maybe I should have used the word startled? Sorry for the confusion. 
    • brenda62546
      brenda62546

      Posted

      Jude, you are being judgemental, it showed in your previous posting to me. You will not be controlling me either, nor will I be answering to you for any of my comments to OTHER people either. I am beginning to get the impression that you are trying to take control. I don't think you had a good enough reason for requesting me to explain myself to you for what I posted to someone else. Your original posting was posted eight hours before mine,  and quit a number of hours before the other person,  who I left a comment to. I believe you are controlling and judgemental, and therefore very discouraging. I am new at comments, but you will not be making me feel discouraged if I want to leave someone a comment. 
    • jude65855
      jude65855 brenda62546

      Posted

      I am not judging you, I think you are judging yourself.  What's more, I'm totally not into controlling other people and I'm certainly not intending to discourage you or anyone else.

      You, in fact, are judging me or rather MISjudging me, but I don't see any point in trying to convince you I mean well because obviously you've made up you rmind and then closed it

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 jude65855

      Posted

      There was not anything to have to make up my mind about. It is obvious that you want to debate with me over what I posted to another person. You interrupted my posting with your judgement of the contents being said to another person too. I shouldn't have to explain myself to you, so if you want to be a patrol officer, go ahead, but it won't be with me and my postings. I am not misunderstanding you or myself...I know exactly what is going on here! 

       

    • jude65855
      jude65855 brenda62546

      Posted

      I know what's going on and one day you'll realise it too:  this is yr addiction speaking, lashing out at me because you don't like what you hear.  I've experienced it before and it's just water off a duck's back - I will continue to say what I think about nicotine addiction, which in many cases has helped people get free of it.   I'm not anyone's patrol officer, that's all in your head Brenda.

      I think this exchange has well & truly run its course:  you're entrenching yourself more deeply in your denial with every post - I wish you all the best 

    • brenda62546
      brenda62546 jude65855

      Posted

      I don't have the foggiest idea what "denial" you are talking about?

      You also make up assumptions that don't exist.  I have no denials, and if it is weather or not I've quit cigarrettes, yes I have quit them 25 years ago. What is it that is entrenching me more deeply in my denial in every post? You started the whole thing by interrupting and questioning my post to another person, and I am simply responding to you. 

      I don't like to argue, and you do, so why don't you join a debate team, and leave us copd members alone, who have more important issues to deal with than arguing. 

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