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My COPD is getting worse

Posted , 7 users are following.

rtaxron
rtaxron

Even just getting out of bed in the morning, makes me breathless.

I have inhalers, been taking steroids and its still bad.

0 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • Vee2
    Vee2 rtaxron

    Posted

    Yes do chat with you doctor again on Monday rtaxron.

    If you are still recovering from a lung infection and if you are not responding to the anti biotics and course of steroids your doctor definitely needs to know and possibly retest your sputum to be sure you have the correct ABs and correct strength ABs etc.

    Lung infections bound to have us thinking we have deteriorated  but once clear of infections things are usually much improved, if they are not you should always go back to your doctor.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Best wishes V

    • john80670
      john80670 Vee2

      Posted

      Vee2 i can't see your reply it says This reply is waiting to be moderated

    • Vee2
      Vee2 john80670

      Posted

      yes posts are held from time to time for periodic checks, it will show after moderation approved or not as the case may be  wink  

  • rtaxron
    rtaxron

    Posted

    Thanks everybody for all your replies and advice.

    I will phone my Doc on Tuesday and have a chat about whats been discussed on here.

    Once again thanks, and for those who have similar problems, good luck.

    PS..... john80670, if you are still smoking, stop!!!!!!

  • breathless
    breathless rtaxron

    Posted

    Are your feet and legs swelling?  Are they shiny ...  You need to be seen by a physician I agree with dilys that it sounds like an infection.  A simple trip to the ER or your local hospital will tell them about your pulse/ox levels, and the blood test will show whether you have an infection...  You do not want to end up in the hospital with pneumonia, which is very common for each of us with COPD....so you take care of yourself.  Get well and let us hear....God Bless.  Breathless.

  • rtaxron
    rtaxron

    Posted

    Hi everybody,

    Not sure if I am replying in the right box, but hope so.

    I spoke to the COPD nurse at my surgery, who changed my Tiotopium/ Spirvia a while back, to Symbicort Turbohaler,  and asked to go back to see if it improves things, which will start tomorrow when Lloyds deliver.

    She asked me if my respiratory nurse has ever suggested oxygen at home, to stop getting out of breath when I have to go in the kitchen etc, and to ask about it.

    I must admit I am not to keen, but if theres no other way of feeling comfortable daily, so be it.

    Anybody have this at their homes?

    Breathless, I have swollen ankles which I take water tablets for, and have a pulse/oxygen meter at home, and it averages between 92/95 levels.

    Will see what tomorrows brings, and will let you know,

    Byeee for now,

    Ron. 

    • rtaxron
      rtaxron

      Posted

      Doctor phoned me today, and told me the respiratory people wouldnt consider me having oxygen at home as my blood/oxygen level is not low enough.
    • Vee2
      Vee2 rtaxron

      Posted

      That's good news then rtaxron.

      It is just as dangerous to have oxygen when your blood oxygen levels are ok as it is not to have it when your blood oxygen levels are too low.

      Glad your blood oxygen levels are ok.  

      You can use your ventolin as you need it during the day and if you get an aeochamber it will help you get the medicine deeper into the lungs.  The ventolin inhaler help open the airway and can last between 4-6 hours, the information leaflet that comes with the medicine explains.

    • rtaxron
      rtaxron Vee2

      Posted

      Thanks Vee,

      I have the aeochamber, and I must keep remembering to use it.

      Started back on Tiotopium/ Spirvia today, and have to keep taking 1 a day of steroids, so hope they are going to help in the long run.

      Thanks once again. Ron

    • breathless
      breathless rtaxron

      Posted

      Sounds like you are all doing everything possible to stay healthy.  Have a wonderful weekend, and keep up those breathing exercises and body exercises.  Stay healthy.  God bless, Breathless.

       

    • Vee2
      Vee2 rtaxron

      Posted

      Hope things settle down for you now rtaxron and soon your condition will become stable.

      Be better soon

      Best wishes V

  • breathless
    breathless rtaxron

    Posted

    So sorry you are having such problems.  It sounds as if it's time to revisit the doctor and perhaps have a new FEV test done to see if your numbers have dropped.  I don't know what stage you are in but I would be asking a lot of questions?  You need to know if there are different medications that can be used.  Are you only using inhalers?  It may be time to get a nebulizer and use it 3 to 4 times per day.  Are you in the States, UK or what part of the world.  I have found that each country has it's own Lung programs, so you might want to check what your area is offereing.  Make sure you get to the doctor, you don't want to be breathless 24/7,.....you want the most quality of life you can get....I don't see that happening at the rate you are going..  Get some help.....and better sooner than later.  God bless, will say a prayer...rtaxrom....Regards,  Breathless

  • rtaxron
    rtaxron

    Posted

    Hi all again,

    Hope you all had a good healthy weekend.

    Its not been a good weekend fo me, and my COPD nurse is coming to see me tomorrow, and is going to try a nebulizer on me.

    Not sure if she will leave it with me or not, but hope its going to do some good.

    Anybody use one at home, and are they any good?

    THanks Ron.

    • libralady13
      libralady13 rtaxron

      Posted

      Hello Ron,  Not sure if I mentioned but we have recently moved to Greater Manchester from Greater London when my husband was in hospital  a year ago he was sent home on a nebuliser and a nurse from the Starrs team (not sure if that is just in London but you may have something simliar) came in for  2 or 3 days to gradually wean him off the nebuliser and start the tiotropium.  He asked his doctor about buying a nebuliser for home use but was told no they only use it when you are having a flare up and that he would not be able to get one on the NHS for his own personal home use either.  Maybe you will find that it is different in your case.  Hope it goes well tomorrow. Let us know how you get on.  Forgot to say yes my husband did find the nebuliser worked well when his breathing was bad.

      Carol

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