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new to group seeking some advice

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therese80578
therese80578

Hi there i am very confused and worried at present so seeking some advice as I've read lots on this forum and everyone seems so supportive the story began in December when following a hysterectomy I got a cough went to GP got anti biotic cough went away but came back saw a dissent GP prescribed anti biotics and steroids the cough went since this time I've done a lung function test which was fine and xray the GP said initially COPD now he is saying they can't diagnose it because the lung function test was normal however I continue to clear my throat all day which the doctors say is post nasal drip so I left non the wiser I have up smoking 8 years ago and walk 2 miles a day my feeling is the doctors are waiting for more symptoms at arise thank you for reading

1 like, 18 replies

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  • robert25492
    robert25492 therese80578

    Posted

    Hi,

    I had a similar persistent cough although lung function and x-ray tests were normal. A couse of steroids initially cleared up the cough although it gradually crept back again.  The specialists I saw at the chest clinic and ENT diagnosed post-nasal drip and acid reflux respectively which I had never noticed.   I am a non-smoker.  I now think that their diagnosis was correct.  I also have Asthma (mild) and the acid reflux was triggering an asthmatic reaction making the cough worse.  I expect they will prescribe you a steroid spray to help the post-nasal drip.

    Good luck!  It could be much worse!

    • therese80578
      therese80578 robert25492

      Posted

      Hi Robert thank you for replying good advice I do feel tho my GP has not handled this situation very well initially he was adamant that it was copd then changed his mind the lung function test was done at the surgery his constant throat clearing is annoying and embarrassing GP have nasal spray how long does it take to work as so far there has been no improvement Thanks
    • robert25492
      robert25492 therese80578

      Posted

      Steroid nasal sprays don't seem to have any immediate effect, they take ages to change anything.  However, your constant throat clearing could be reflux judging by what the doctor told me.
    • Butterfly2323
      Butterfly2323 therese80578

      Posted

      I also have a cough since last April/14, my gp had tried all he can and nothing help. He sent me last summer to a lung specialist. I had my ct scan, pulmonary function test, x-ray , blood test, etc.

      I went back for the results last Aug and as as soon as we got to his office he said I did not have what my mother had, with was PF(pulmonary fibrosis) she had it at 83 and died at 86. I am 59, non-smoker, so was my mother but she cook with wood all her life, I haven't.

      Anyway the lung specialist once he gave me good news, he began to see the results on his computer and when he got to the pft he said that the graph for the curve it has if somebody show him that graph he will say the person has PF, anyway i was not happy with his good news and bad news in less than 5 minutes. Yesterday I went for another opinion and this specialist told me he dont see on the test any PF, but I said what about the cough, he is sending me for an asthma test now. I am tired of coughing

    • therese80578
      therese80578 Butterfly2323

      Posted

      goodness it sounds like you have had lots of tests and you are still coughing it seems very frustrating when different doctors say different things I do hope you get to the bottom of it soon and yes it's very tiresome
  • jude65855
    jude65855 therese80578

    Posted

    I'm not clear on what you're worried about:  if it's post nasal drip can't something be done about that?

    It sounds irritating but not life-threatening

    • therese80578
      therese80578 jude65855

      Posted

      Hi the reason I am concerned is when I went back to the GP the second time I had a nasty chest infection it's at that time he said it's copd it's a flare up and there is no cure since this he did a lung test said it was above 0.70 and xray didn't show anything so I don't think he knows himself in the mean time I non the wiser and continue to clear my throat all day
  • karen78573
    karen78573 therese80578

    Posted

    Afternoon Terese! How can the doctor when an x-ray confirms c.o.p.d then tells you that you haven't seams strange to me & who did the spirometery or peak flow? If it was you or thr doctor!? & the worrying matter is whatsome ppeople see as normal might not be! Do you get any other symptoms other than chronic coughing constant mucus production, Breathlessness, any other symptoms head akes etc there's a list you can look up either online or medical books which you could check out! Do you no by any chance what your peak flow or spirometery results were would you know also if the readings were in the red zone yellow zone or green zone!? I'd say continue to observe your symptoms & if your not feeling any better you are entitled to a mother opinion you could ask to be referd for further testing I',m sure we have that right! However I hope you get a final answer to your symptoms it doesn't feel right to me I am intrested in what other people on this forum think of this!? Mean while take good care of your self!
    • therese80578
      therese80578 karen78573

      Posted

      hi it was the doctor that did the lung function test he just said it was normal no readings given 85 % is what he came back with when I went back to him following the xray he said it normal and that he had taken advice on my case and stated because the lung function test was way above 0.70 he could not diagnose COPD but this constant throat clearing is a concern I smoked for 20 years gave up 8 years ago my own fault I also have diabetes so this is why I'm so worried and can't seem to get a straight answer from the doctor I'm 52 years the doctor also said that I would have more symptoms and that I wouldn't be able to walk 2 miles a day if it was copd so I'm still non the wiser
    • karen78573
      karen78573 therese80578

      Posted

      Evening Therese! I don't agree with the doc there must be enough people who have c.o.p.d & are still walking about not only that 85% isnt a vdry poor reading but it's not such a great reading neither! Do go & see a nurse who does have knowledge in lung function & lung diseases also you could ring the British lung foundation for advice & you could monitor your lung function your self by buying a spirometry devise you can buy digital spirometry devices there's a few you can buy online entirely up to you it's just a suggestion but might help & if you are nog sure of ghe reading
    • karen78573
      karen78573

      Posted

      Sorry the text is muddled! You can always ask advice on this forum if yoyr not sure of the readings or just see a nurse! I hope you get the answer you need! Have a good evening!
    • therese80578
      therese80578 karen78573

      Posted

      Thanks Karen I agree with the fact that you have copd doesn't stop someone walking miles each day I spoke with the British lung foundation a month ago they were very supportive I will look into buying a lung tester myself all this has sent my anxiety into overdrive thanks for your advice
  • gpgp
    gpgp therese80578

    Posted

    How many years did you smoke and how many per day? 

    Sometimes an episode of bronchitis can look like COPD, but COPD can not be diagnosed on chest X-ray alone. Most cases of COPD have a normal Xray , but have symptoms of cough, mucus and shortness of breath in variable proportions. These days spirometry is key to confirming that symptoms point to COPD. 

    Many people who have had a chest infection continue to produce extra mucus for a long period. Other contributors are right that it can also be caused by reflux or post nasal drip. Unfortunately when you have been coughing for a while it also tends to become a habit!

    • therese80578
      therese80578 gpgp

      Posted

      Hi I smoked stupidly for about 20 years have up 8 years ago I don't get breathless but I do throat clear some mucus all day I had bronchitis at 25 the doctor at the time said give up ( I didn't ) until 8 years ago I have been very scared since the GP said It's COPD he did a lung function test after the chest infection I was wheezing but the steriods got rid of it I don't cough just this constant clearing of the throat GP at the time said your not even stage 1 yet my question is how can he make that prediction the I've felt frightened since this time i believe the GP has not handled it well particularly with no follow up hope this makes more sense
  • gpgp
    gpgp therese80578

    Posted

    With 20 pack years (20 cigs per day for 20 years ) you are at risk of COPD. However, it is not inevitable. If your GP Surgery has a respiratory nurse then go and have a chat to them and they will often be more knowledgeable and patient than the doctor!

    as I said before sounds like you had bronchitis and are in the slow recovery phase.

    • therese80578
      therese80578 gpgp

      Posted

      Thanks for all the advice it has helped I will see if our surgery has a respiratory nurse and get some advice from them
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