For those who are unsure and have not yet been diagnosed professionally, Dr Noel Baxter offers some good advice on the subject:
Dr Noel Baxter discusses COPD - Lung Conditions C...
Dr Noel Baxter discusses COPD
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17 Replies
•
So is Asthma and COPD linked? When you have smoked do the GP's label COPD rather than Asthma?
I have so many questions to ask my GP tomorrow.
At this stage he had diagnosed me with COPD and given me a nebuliser, leaving me feeling that it is my fault because I knew the risks of smoking. He then sent me on my way. Not giving me the my lung capacity, or any chance of telling him about my severe choking periods,
Inhalers do not help at this time! Is there an inhaler that could possibly help during these scary
moments?
I seem to be having these sessions frequently and they seem to last forever.
I need to present him with many questions and not to feel that I am being hurried through the
system. Any ideas of other questions to ask him?
I am also fearful that unless he takes on board just how difficult I am finding it that he may
cause me to loose my DVLA.
He has been my GP for many years, then he went off sick for some months, and another doctor recognised my problems and guided me into the right direction to getting help.
xx Ros xx
Can you ask your health centre if you can book a longer appointment with your gp and if is there a respiratory nurse available?
• in reply toIs4bell4
I would agree with others Ros
For the GP book a double appointment to discuss matters, that will give you 20 minutes based on my own experience with my doctor who has 10 minute slots for each appointment, if I have more to discuss I usually book a double appointment.
Also you may want to consider asking your GP to refer you to a respiratory consultant for a more accurate diagnosis, especially if there is some confusion if you have asthma or copd. You could have both and your asthma could be chronic which can lead to a diagnosis of COPD but of course you won't know any of this for sure until you have had all the usual tests that are a part of diagnosing specifically the lung condition, (normally authorised by a specialising consultant.)
Also advised below, it probably would be a good idea to check with the helpline for guidance on what questions to put to your GP.
Good Luck
BC x
Hi Ros. You might want to discuss the questions to ask with the BLF. I'm sure they will help. The number is 03000 030 555.
My understanding is that some say asthma falls within the scope of copd, some say only certain types of asthma do and yet others say it doesn't at all.
You can have asthma and copd but proper tests will tell you which you have.
I hope that helps a bit
Lynne xx
I still don't know whether I have COPD or asthma or both....depends which nurse or gp I talk to, even after lots of tests.
Do people with COPD suffer from bronchospasms and constriction as asthmatics do I wonder?
At my last review I was told my breathlessness was caused by smoking nearly 40 years ago.
It annoys me that even when I go for my flu jab they ask if I smoked in the past..I am tempted to say no sometimes.
Good luck for tomorrow
No knitter, I can only speak for myself but as someone with emphysema I do not have bronchospasms and constrictions. Have you seen a consultant? If not I would be pushing to do so.
• in reply toknitter
I would say the same as Toci, Knitter, see my reply to Ros above.
I am not sure who this Dr is or what qualifications he has to discuss COPD and asthma. Chronic asthma is COPD? I notice this doctor has also posted a video of his downhill skiing skills. I would personally only take advice from someone suitably qualified.
• in reply toToci
Dr Noel Baxter is an NHS doctor based in Surrey Docks London, at least he was at the time of making the video. At the beginning of the video it does say this.
I would say this doctor is suitably qualified.
Toci• in reply to
Blakey, My respiratory consultant referred me on to a skin specialist and a bone specialist for issues I raised because they were not his particular field. I was not calling into question Dr Baxter's qualification as a doctor, I am only commenting that he does not seem particularly knowledgeable about COPD. But that is only my opinion.
• in reply toToci
I couldn't ever make such a judgement on the short talk Dr Baxter presented, I believe the video was intended for those living in the London area who are having some breathing difficulty, more of an awareness video I would say.
Its not unheard of that some GPs do specialise in COPD and some Doctors are respirator specialists.
peege• in reply to
... and some GP's are frankly crap, or tired & jaded so pass the buck or dole out the incorrect meds.
I for one found that clip really useful so thanks BC.
Plus there were some other clips that came up equally helpful for a novice's understanding. Great stuf the medics never have time to explain.
There was a reallygreat one from BUPA with animations of the bronchs & aveoli (however you spell it)! Really reallly good, now I know where to look.
Better still, I can show my son who's had ashma since age 3. smokes mildly but even worse according to Doc Baxter he smoked a lot of marijana over a few years
TA 
Peeg
• in reply topeege
I saw that BUPA one too Peeg, I agree it explains things well for the novice. Its a good link to send to help people understand better.
Have a great evening.
BC x
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