Hi, new here, my GP admitted me to hospital last week because she thought I had clots on lung. Had CTPA scan and no clots, and first doctor said chest x-ray was fine apart from more air in lungs than normal. The next day consultant examined me and looked again at x-ray, said there are signs of emphysema. Was supposed to have spirometry test but their machine was broken so they discharged me Tuesday with Salbutamol inhaler and will send me an outpatient appointment in post. My ECG results were fine, no cancer showed up on CTPA, and blood pressure was optimum. Blood oxygen stayed at 94/95 while resting on room air with no meds. GP has given me Seretide inhaler to use twice a day, the Salbutamol is 2 puffs when I need it, and it really does help.
My mum had COPD, and she ended up with heart failure also, and was on oxygen 24/7, so I am anxious to do all I can to make sure this doesn't get worse. I am 57, I smoked for 40 years, but I quit completely 6 years ago. I am booked in for a flu jab tomorrow, and have increased my level of exercise since having inhalers. Is there anything else I can be doing while waiting for spirometry appointment?
Sorry for long post but feeling a bit overwhelmed and would be grateful for any advice.
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EllaUmbrella
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And I feel you have a positive attitude with your whole situation...which is VERY good for health x
Best wishes x
Hello EllaUmbrella! I know that you must be scared - I care for my husband who has severe COPD - especially having seen your Mum so ill but times have changed there are lots of medications available. Sometimes inhalers don't suit - if you don't feel they are making a difference or you are getting side effect go back to the doctor.
Flu jab essential (add hand sanitiser to your handbag and use it often!);
Ask the doctor about a pneumonia jab
Exercise - YES - as much as you can to fight it off! I think if my husband had done more he could have slowed down the progession. There is a pulmonary rehab course which is monitored exercise and knowledge - usually twice a week ask your doctor if you can be referred.
Take your inhalers and if you don't feel well - get back to the doctor don't wait
If you think you are starting with a chest infection - same thing don't wait.
Ring the BLF helpline - they have a great information pack they could send to you (click on red balloon)
REMEMBER to enjoy our life!
Take good care, good luck and use this site to help you. With lots of love TAD xx
Great reply from TAD EllaUmbrella so I just wanted to wish you well and tell you to keep doing what you are doing. Stay positive and as well as you can too. Take care. Carole xx
Hi Ellaumberella a warm welcome to you,you have come to the place for help,info,support and many smiles.Sounds like your doing well by already looking after yourself properly.Good advice from above.See you soon Janexx
Hi Ellaumbrella, welcome to the site, sounds like you are doing all the right things for good health and the hospital seem to be doing all the necessaries too. Plus these days there are lots of drugs and exercise programmes for these types of illness to maintain maximum health, take care
Hi and welcome EllaUmbrella. I have very severe emphysema but I try not to let it bother me too much.I try to do everything I did before getting this illness. It just takes a bit longer with a few rests inbetween.
Hi Ella Umbrella. I am on this site for my husband who has Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. I had an x ray a little while ago now and I was told my lungs are larger than they ought to be an I may be prone to Emphysema. I can see it a bit because I was running after my Grandson one day and I had a job to get my breath. Otherwise I have Asthma mildly but really am fine. It is my husband I worry about as he is not well at all.
Hi Ella Umbrella, welcome to the HealthUnlocked site, you will find many interesting people here who will give you all the support they can, the site covers a vast area of experiance between the members. Getting your flu jab I think is very important, although the jab does not cover all strains of the flu, at lease it gives you piece of mind that some are covered. Take care. Malk. x
Hi ellaumbrella like you I was diagnosed with emphesema June this year, worried sick at first then took control of it! All the advice u need here people with same condition as us, some early, mid and severe stage so wealth of knowledge! Keep well
Good advice from Tadaw and everyone, check in her regularly, you can gather helpful information from others experiences to assist in helping yourself.
You've got the right attitude in not being a victim to it.
Eat well and keeping your weight manageable for the exercise, take Vits especially C at first sign of a wobble - see Hopetorun's post.
Avoid people with coughs and colds and don't touch things others have touched - sounds paranoid I know, I live in London and have managed to stay infection free for six months by taking precautions.
Good luck and stay well. P
Welcome Ella,
So glad you are being thoroughly checked out and already have the medicines that can help. Keep the outpatients appointment, you need to accumulate all the information you can that will help with accurate diagnosis and correct meds you may need.
Check with doc or consultant about being referred to a pulmonary rehabilitation course, this will help you understand the lung illness and give you the tools to help you manage and slow the progress of lung disease right down, so that you may still be able to enjoy many years to come.
Welcome, you will find this site warm and informative. I was diagnosed exactly the same as you, they thought I had a blood clot on my lung but it turned out to be emphysema and bronchiolitis. It is scary when you are first told, I was smoking at the time and the consultant told me that if I didn't stop smoking I would die. It was sheer fear that made me stop, after he said that I haven't touched another ciggy. I wish you luck, if you need any help there are a lot of brain boxes on this site, (not me) who will send you on the right road.
Hi, yes this is a great site for support and information, I found it a real help when Mum was so poorly, and so did she. We collected donations to BLF instead of flowers for her funeral, because of that. My main objective now is to do what I can to stop my condition getting worse - or at least slow it down.
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I have very severe emphysema but I try not to let it bother me too much.I try to do everything I did before getting this illness. It just takes a bit longer with a few rests inbetween.
Emphysema 
Spirometry
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