What am I meant to do?

[rick1]

Came home from Hospital Saturday consultant said my c.o.p.d. is very severe but I don't need to have oxygen at home, today I am really gasping for breath what am I meant to do?

[Hidden]

cant u ring dc up for advice rick,dont struggle,get them out if need be,do u check ur oxygen levels,

[rick1 in reply to Hidden]

No I don't check oxygen levels but usually they are average.

[O2Trees]

You dont say what meds you are on Rick. Breathlessness isn't necessarily caused by low oxygen. Steroids in one form or another could help, as could beta-agonists. But I know nothing about your condition and what habitually makes you breathless so you should speak top your gp again. BLF helpline is brilliant - click on balloon logo top right of page for number. Hope things improve, all best, jean

[rick1 in reply to O2Trees]

Starting to wean of prednisolone on 1 a day, take Ventolin 200 Seretide 500 and Spiriva inhalers. Am o.k. sat down it's when I stand or try to do anything.

[O2Trees in reply to rick1]

Bummer, talk to BLF Rick. Ambulatory O2 may be the way to go, as Lovelight says she has been given. Sorry you're having such a hard time. If you are armed with good knowledge from BLF it might feel easier to talk to the doc.

[rick1 in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to rick1]

That ventolin 200 does it work? For quick acting I now have salamol small blue one ,it is like magic ,immediate action,couldn't live without it,the ventilin was not reaching my lungs so I was untreated.i am really beginning to think it's all in a day how we manage ourselves,relaxing is the. Best.

[rick1 in reply to Hidden]

The ventolin does not seem to work but not been offered alternative, will try to relax more.

[newlands]

Oh Rick best advice already been given ring your dr for advice or ask to speak to the nurse take care

[rick1 in reply to newlands]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

My understanding of having oxygen is to help protect the vital organs rather than to relieve breathlessness. I get very breathless when I try to hurry, make the bed, sometimes just walking to the bathroom. I have severe copd and cos of an infection a couple of months an oxygen nurse came out, did a 3min walk test and found that my sats were just below 87. Was prescribed ambulatory oxygen to have while walking about etc but it hasn't made a scrap of difference in that I'm just as breathless as I always was and my pulse hammers away to well over 110-120.

Hope that you're improving a little now since leaving hospital...Lovelight xx

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

Correct, its about organ protection- helps some people with breathlessness but not primary aim.

[happyfeet59 in reply to Hidden]

I have just been given oxygen too. I read somewhere that it can take a few months before you feel the benefit. So keep heart! My sats were 88% at rest - don't know for walking. They put me on 15hrs a day to protect organs and I am waiting to be tested for ambulatory.

[rick1 in reply to happyfeet59]

Hello happy feet I'm not on oxygen yet though, g.p. said it takes a while for the blood oxygen to drop when exercising.

[rick1]

Thank you lovelight.

[Hidden]

Good advice given already rick,

If you think you have deconditioned consider asking for a referral to another PR course or ask the doc if you can access the OT team to assess you at home. I know you might be thinking I don't have the breath for exercise, I thought that once myself but really doing a little something each day can help you breathe easier. Of course if you are still feeling the affects of a lung infection its something you need to keep on top of and go back to the doc to be sure the infection is clearing, get sputum test done if you haven't already (I expect they did that in the hospital for you).

Whichever is helpful, do it for you.

Best wishes BC

[rick1 in reply to Hidden]

When admitted to hospital I didn't have a chest infection I just couldn't breath.

[Hidden]

Hi Rick Please call your do doctor and tell him how breathless you are. Also it might be an idea to ring the helpline tomorrow and see what they can advise. Might be a good idea to check your sats when you are breathless to give the doc more information. Take care TAD xx

[rick1 in reply to Hidden]

Cannot check my own sats, thank you Tad.

[kimmy59]

Do you have a Community Respiratory Team, after my PR I was told to ring them rather than the doctor. X

[rick1 in reply to kimmy59]

Not as I know about.

[Toci]

Lots of good advice here Rick. Call your GP, respiratory team or BLF. x

[rick1]

Thank you.

[barnsleysue]

Hi rick , as people say ring BLF , also yr dr ...please do it a s a p ....let us all know how u get on ....hope u get sorted :)Sue

[rick1 in reply to barnsleysue]

waiting now for doctor

[medow]

Hi rick, hope you'll be on the mend soon, just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you x

[rick1 in reply to medow]

Thank you meadow.

[longlungs in reply to medow]

Hi medow hows you doing?have you managed to stay away from the ciggies?Hope your keeping well .Janexx

[knitter]

Hi Rick, hope you OK and you managed to get help

[rick1 in reply to knitter]

thank you

[Hidden]

Morning Rick - wondered how you were feeling today? We didn't know there was a specialist respiratory team in our area until my sister asked her friend (a nurse) who does not work in this area. From that I rang the practise nurse and asked for a referral and that contact has made it much easier. They can fast track to consultants etc. and give advise on oxygen usage etc. Good Luck. TAD xx

[rick1]

Thank you Tad waiting for my g.p. to arrive, keep you posted.

[longlungs]

Hi rick sorry to hear you are struggling so,hope the doc is helpful . please try and relax and focus else where if possible,keep in touch and let us know how you are rick.Takecare now Janexx

[rick1]

Thank you Jane.

[chellshock]

How are you today Rick? What did the doctor say?

[rick1]

I'm no different really chellshock, Dr said there wasn't much air going into my lungs and he's arranging for a respiratory nurse to come to my house, like the consultant said in hospital there is nothing they can do!