newbie

Hi John,

Lovely to hear from you. Scary time, eh? Please research. The more you know about your condition the better you can monitor/manage it. Not all GPs are very aware when it comes to COPD so consultants and specialist respiratory nurses at your local hospital are a good source of info and advice.

You can discuss medications and what things to do (e.g. exercise, healthy diet) and to avoid (e.g. smoke, freezing weather) and what may or may not trigger an exacerbation for you. Knowing your FEV1 reading as a percentage score can be very helpful as it allows you to monitor progress each time it is given. I suggest you get a notebook and pen and jot down things as they occur to you. There are many suggestions on this site and lots of discussions which may flag up issues which you think are relevant to you. I strongly suggest you bookmark the page, because it can be difficult to find again.

Glad you found us. Let us know how you get on. Good luck.

Jacee

Hi John,

As Jacee has already said, a notebook to jot down questions as you think of them is a good idea.

However, I think you'll find that they'll give you far more information than you can take in.

Make sure you take a pen and pad with you because my experience is they NEVER give you the info in writing and you'll want those 'scores' - FEV1 etc - for when you get home and start trying to research it.

Good luck John, please let us know how you get on.

Best wishes,

Stitch

Hello John,

Just wanted to say pleased to meet you and judging by recent posts there are at least two male posters who will be pleased another man has joined up!

As others have said ask for your FEV1%.

I'd also ask about having a flu/pneumonia jab.

If you haven't stopped smoking and want to it might be worth asking for help to do that too.

Good luck and look forward to hearing from you again.

Ann

[quote:d4a447fb7d=\"john williamson\"]hi everyone first time on this site and a little nervous,im a 51 year old male and was diagnosed maybe 4/5 weeks ago. i have my respitory appointment on thursday i guess i just want an idea of what questions i should be asking.[/quote:d4a447fb7d]

Hi John

Ask about being instructed in using your medicine correctly if you haven't been already or if you haven't yet been prescribed anything and the consultant is about to prescribe you medicine.

Ask also about attending a course called LEEP or pulmonary rehabilitation (LEEP stands for Lung Education Exercise Programme). These are run by the NHS, and will help you to understand, live and cope successfully with COPD.

Not sure if you are a smoker or not, if you are smoking, do ask about help and support in stopping smoking too as this is the very best thing you can do for yourself.

Good luck with you appointment tomorrow. Let us know how you go.

V

Hi John,

Just wanted to say hello and welcome. Jacee, Stitch and Ann have covered all the bases so far, so I wish you well for your tests tomorrow. Vanessa.

just like to thank everyone for taking the time to help, i,l try and let you know how i get on tomorrow thanks again john

Keeping fingers crossed for you John,

V

well it was,nt the nightmare i had envisaged had to do a couple of breathing tests blow in slow with a clip on my nose, and then lots of fast ones, then i had some ventolin given through a mask?????? i think thats what it was called, anyway it did,nt help so i need to see gp again, the nurse never gave me the FEV she said i wouldnt understand it but she did say my readings were pretty good and my lung capacity wasnt so bad maybe a litre below what it should be she seemed pretty upbeat anyway so i feel a bit better im sorry if this is all a bit vague but i really was going in blind i,l let you know what happens next thanks again john

just like to appologise for my grammar was never my strong point sorryjavascript:emoticon(':lol:')

Hi John,

I'm pleased to hear from you again. I think from reading your post that you saw a GP nurse rather than a one at the hospital respiratory clinic? The ventolin through a mask was probably a nebuliser and this rarely helps people with COPD as ventolin is specifically designed for people with asthma. though it can help some people a little. The nurse should have given your FEV1 reading as you do not need any specialist knowledge to know that 54% is higher than 34% or that an increase in the FEV1 reading is better than a decrease. However, being told your lung capacity is not so bad is a very good outcome. Maybe you are one of the fortunate ones who has received a diagnosis whilst there is still time to take action to ensure that there is no significant deterioration.

If you are a smoker I would suggest now is a good time to try and stop. Ann gave good advice about this and about asking about flu and pneumonia jabs as we are obviously more susceptible and could be damaged more by having the flu/pneumonia. Stitch also gave good advice in saying you should have a pen and pad with you because her experience is \"they NEVER give you the info in writing and you'll want those 'scores' - FEV1 etc - for when you get home and start trying to research it.\" Your GP will have your scores so maybe you could try asking him the next time you see him?

Final point, don't worry about grammar. It is the message that counts, not how many points it would score as an essay!

Jacee

x

hi again it was definetely a nurse at the respitory clinic and im glad to say that i aint had a ciggie since monday i know its early days but im trying and im happy i guess the coughs a killer though thanks again

Hi John

[b:50207243d2]Great news re your lung function test and congratulations re staying off the smokes since Monday - Keep up the good work [/b:50207243d2]:D :ok:

For later reference if you do want to know the FEV1%..... Ask for the FEV1% predicted or FEV1% ratio - [i:50207243d2]this translates to Forced Expiry Volume in 1 second, percentage, of your [predicted age][/i:50207243d2]

Similar to those mentioned previously, examples being that 70% predicted is a much much better reading for you than 45% predicted age for instance.

A few tips below to help you protect and maintain good lung health.....

..as already mentioned the pneumonia vaccine which is a one off and the annual flu jab is helpful in giving extra protection during the winter month. .

..another helpful tip is, wherever possible avoid contact with people who have a cold or the flu virus.

.. have a good diet, fresh fruit, veg daily, oily fish 2-3 times weekly, dark green leafy veg, brockerly, drink plenty of water etc. etc.

..exercise daily walking inside or out, better still the PR or LEEP course I mentioned above is a good choice (the doc can refer you and its foc)

..keep warm during the winter months house temps around 21C and 18C in the bedroom. Avoid going out in very cold damp conditions as you will find your airways do not like it.

Probably should have started a new thread with this information, may do that later, for now hope this helps you John

Keep Well and Breathe Easy. :ok:

V

Hi John

Just a note.

1. The pneumonia vaccine is NOT a one of but will be offered every two years to most COPD patients, along with the annual influenza vaccine.

2. I could not breathe with my bedroom temperature at 18 and suggest that this will vary enormously depending on the individual.

Good luck with fighting the demon weed. It is not easy but it is so worthwhile. Try to stay strong and, if you do fall back, pick yourself up and give stopping another go. I'll be thinking about you. Good Luck

Jacee

x

Hi John,

Pleased that all went well.

I think it was a bit cheeky of the nurse to say that you wouldn't understand it - perhaps she could have explained it to you?

Anyway have you managed to find some stuff on the web about COPD (british sites best) or have they given you booklets from GP? If not let us know and I am sure we can point you in the right direction. This website has some information as does the British Lung Foundation one.

Well done on the fag front! It does get better! Honest!

Ann

Hello John

Jacee and Ann are right.

Pneumonia is every two years, definitely not a one-off injection. Room/bedroom temps are definitely a matter of taste, my sitting room is never below 25!

Great news on the fag front - keep on fighting.

The nurse should have explained. Then you can look up and judge how mild/moderate/severe your condition is and keep a check on how you are doing. You can always ask your Gp though. Try the British Lung Foundation website or google Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and chose what you want to read - though Ann is right that British sites are best. Good lcuk

Maryann