COPD , Asthma ? what have i got ?

[cappy1966]

Hello , all you lovely fellow special people x ..... I had 2 big bouts of asthma in the last few months that required hospital treatment . The first one was horrible , and i convinced my self i was going up the stairway to heaven/hell , the second was a bit odd as i just felt a bit not quite right , and phoned my GP , and minutes later after visiting him in his surgery , i was on my way for a second visit in A & E .....Any way , to cut a long story short after 15 years of being prescribed asthma , I had a chat with a respiratery consultantant at the hosital , who is now saying ive got COPD . ......one thing that worried is she has changned my Seretide inhaler to Fostair ......is this a better inhaler ? because when i looked it up it seems that the NHS are actively encouroging doctors to swap to this because its a cheaper product . ....i in a bit of limbo . .....i m suppose i'm worried unnecessary ? ...i'd just like to know what my problem is . ...lol.. just managed that whole post without too many short sentances .

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, sorry to hear about your admissions - it sounds like they were pretty scary for you!

We can't really tell you on here whether you have asthma or COPD unfortunately. We're not medics and also even if we were, don't have all the information to go on. Did the consultant tell you why she thinks you might have COPD instead of asthma? Did you do any tests while you were in hospital, or have they arranged for any?

I would say you need to see your GP again and discuss what the consultant has told you. Then if needed, they can arrange some tests to see what's going on. You can also discuss your inhaler change. Fostair isn't necessarily better or worse than Seretide, but it can be individual which inhaler people get on with. I do better on Fostair personally, but others find it's not as helpful. There probably is a cost element behind the decision, but if your GP is ok with it you can always give it a try for a few weeks and if you don't get on with it can go back.

You might also find it helpful to give the AUK nurses a call to chat through your admissions, what the consultant told you, and what might happen next. They're very friendly and helpful and can give you a bit more time usually than a GP or consultant. They're available Mon-Fri 9-5 on 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp - 07378 606728.

[cappy1966 in reply to Lysistrata]

sorry my post was a bit all over the place , now ive read it back to myself .... The consultant thought it was copd , because i only started getting proplems in my early 40's ( im' 54 now ) , my gp just assumed i had asthma . And put it down to work issuess , as im a carpenter / wood machinist .......the specialist said it copd because i got it so late in my life ...... got a breathing test sorted out to get to the bottom of it . but i must admit i thought that was the reason i was going in there last i went to an appointment . ..........Went today , and the consultant said , hello , what the problem how can we help you ....... i said well well surely you must know because you made the appointment for me

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to cappy1966]

Hmm I can see how this would be confusing! You can absolutely still develop asthma as an adult though, so the age alone doesn't mean it's COPD. This is especially the case if it's linked to your job - though some people (more often women) also develop asthma in adulthood for no obvious reason.

Hopefully the tests will help to show what"s going on - though asthma is often variable so the tests can look ok on a good day.

I would still talk to your GP and the AUK helpline. If it is linked to your work you might need to think about how you can minimise the impact on your health. There are doctors who specialise in this area (occupational lung problems including asthma) so it may be that it would be helpful for you to be referred to one if they think the symptoms are linked to work.

[cappy1966 in reply to Lysistrata]

thanks for your reply x ...i've .got some tests booked in at the respiratory unit at Coventry University Hospital , so hopefully we can both stop worrying about me and we will know for sure .

😍

[cappy1966 in reply to cappy1966]

January 7th ....... i Just need to be carefull with my christmas celebrations !!

[Poobah in reply to cappy1966]

Hi Cappy. Here is a link to AsthmaUk's Occupational Asthma page. It's very useful about the condition and how to look after your condition and what your employer can do to protect you more rigorously. All the best.

[cappy1966 in reply to Poobah]

Thankyou, im looking at it now xx

[Statch]

Developed asthma myself in my 40's so I understand how scary this can all be later in life. That being said my local hospital thought it was linked to my occupation and referred me to a occupational lung disease clinic, Which has helped immeasurably with information and tweaking medication. From memory carpentry is linked quite highly to occupational lung diseases. Might be worth you looking into industrial injuries disability benefit you can still work with it it is just a payment for damages already done

[cappy1966 in reply to Statch]

Thanks .... i actually downloaded the pdf form to apply for that , but as i dont actually know weather to tick the box for COPD , or Asthma in my problem section ...... i thought i'd wait till i actually know what ive got .......I dont want to claim for stuff , unless i am allowed it

[Statch in reply to cappy1966]

It took me prior to covid 8 months to have it rewarded and I had to see a doctor face to face. Have a spiromitry test for them to award it. They back pay to the start of your claim so personally would start it and put it down as suspected occupational.

Even with seeing the specialist she suspected occupational asthma at the start but until I left the job couldn't fully say it was.

And wood dust inhalation is one of the prescribed diseases, hope this helps

[Cooperbear]

I have also just had my inhalers changed from Seretide to Fostair and I’m really struggling to breath. I was told they only prescribe Seretide to children. It worked for me though but because I was using my ventolin more than 3 times a week this was not good. I need to get back to the nurse and see if I can get Seretide back.

[cappy1966 in reply to Cooperbear]

ah bless . i dunno what to say .....ive not actually had my first fostair inhaler to be able to compare them .....it seems to be very rocky road from all the posts if seen ,in here, to find the right inhaler that will hopefully help us out individually ... Best of luck mate , and hope we maybe will find something that gives us a bit of peace one day

[MMBJI]

Hi, I was on Seretide for years and it suited me well. I was changed to Fostair as they said there were links between long term high steroid dose Seretide inhaler and diabetes. (I was suspicious at the time that it may have been a financial thing.) After a couple of weeks to adjust to the change I think my asthma returned to it’s previous state of control.

I have been told that Fostair should work better because the particles are smaller and therefore should get deeper into the airways.

I hope it works for you.