To pop or not to pop that is the question

[hannahmac]

I have rescue remedies of antibiotics and steroids. I have been so well since my main inhaler was changed to seebreez some weeks ago. Previous to that I had daily a nightly cough which kept me awake. Now my productive cough has started again. My surgery appointment is not until the 2oth of this month. The question is do I start my rescue medicine now. I don't want to take any medicine if I can et away with it but I don't want to be as low as I was last winter. Any advice would be most welcome.

[rick1]

I am pleased you are feeling better!

[hannahmac]

I was told I have the lungs of a 73 year old in May, which is 6 years older than I am. I stopped smoking 15 years ago but I am thinking about the dust being created by some building work being carried out in our kitchen would that make me worse?

[Hidden in reply to hannahmac]

YES it will ... I had dust in refurbishment of my home and landed in hospital as diirect result. get face mask, retreat away if you can.

[hannahmac]

I was told I have the lungs of a 73 year old in May, which is 6 years older than I am. I stopped smoking 15 years ago but I am thinking about the dust being created by some building work being carried out in our kitchen would that make me worse?

[Hidden]

The dust could easily be the cause of your cough, if the work is still ongoing keep all other doors to rooms in the house closed and if you can keep the kitchen door closed, vacuum daily when end of day work is finished.

If you are talking about your rescue inhaler just use that as you feel you need (the blue inhaler)

If you are talking about your anti biotic and steroid tablets as your rescue medicine, that is for a worsening in symptoms, generally there is more than one symptom, feeling more tired, breathing more difficult, coughing more, mucus has changed colour to yellowt green, inflamed feeling in lungs, pain in chest etc.

If you only have the cough I would wait to see how you are tomorrow and Monday, then perhaps you can ring your doctor for further advice, normally when the AB and steroid tablets are prescribed to keep at home in emergency situation the doctor usually gives instructions when you should use them, a self management plan.

here is a pdf document that gives the suggested action plan:

lothianrespiratorymcn.scot....

[Hidden]

Hi my husband has rescue meds - we were told if two of the following got worse he was to start taking them:

More breathless

More coughing

And/or a change in sputum colour

The dust wouldn't help but if in doubt go to see the doc.

Take care TAD x

[qbjb]

Just a bit of (possibly) useful information about dust - sprinkling water around does stop it spreading in the atmosphere. (Source of knowledge - building trade for too many years!)

Jude

[hannahmac]

All the replies to my queries have been extremely helpful. A mine of information when a group of like suffering people get together. I will get out that spray bottle right now qbjb

[dukes]

I would steer well clear of that dust, even cooking fumes start me off.

Personally I always try to give a chest cough a month to see if my immune system can sort it out before hitting the A/Bs for fear of them losing their effect if used too liberally, and will only take the steroids if desperate as I don't like the side effects.

However they effect everybody differently !