Doctor's visit.

[rick1]

Doctor listened to my chest and said there wasn't a lot of air going in. checked my blood oxygen it was 96 said it wasn't bad, going to get me a pulmonary nurse to call at home. My own g.p. I spoke to earlier on the phone said he thought anxiety was somewhere in the equation.

[Toci]

It could be anxiety Rick, it is known to worsen the breathing. Whatever is the cause though, I am glad you have been seen and even more glad that a pulmonary nurse is coming out. They tend to know what they are doing.

[rick1]

Thank you Toci.

[newlands]

hi Rick really pleased you have been to to the doctors things will maybe get better now the nurse is coming to see you take care

Dorothy

[rick1 in reply to newlands]

Hello Dorothy and thank you. Richard.

[sadie1951]

Sats of 96 is very good Rick, but unfortunately it doesn't necessarily mean you can breath too well! My sats are nearly always good, despite having only 20% lung function but don't have supplemental oxygen as I am what's known as a co2 retainer (you can google it for more info). Many people with copd suffer from anxiety and panic as they get worse with emphysema and without a doubt it adds to your inability to breath properly when you start hyperventilating. If you do suffer from panic, your gp or consultant can prescribe you with a fast acting muscle relaxant to take at the onset of such an attack, which very quickly slows your diaphragm down and enables you to regain control.. Speak to your gp or nurse about it. Sadie xx

[helingmic in reply to sadie1951]

Sadie, I heard as well, that for hyperventilation, keep some paper bags (not plastic, it's too dangerous). when you feel short of breath and panicky, take a paper bag and breathe in and out in it. Apparently, this balances the oxygen and Carbon dioxide level.

A muscle relaxant must be good, but have you got time to reach it, swallow the pill and let it act?

[sadie1951 in reply to helingmic]

Hi helingmic, you put it under the tongue and it dissolves very quickly and starts acting within a minute or so, I couldn't manage without them, I have some in every room so they are always nearby and this in itself sometimes helps, just knowing help is at hand!! My consultant told me that breathing into a paper bag isn't really recommended any more if you have an underlying disease like emphysema. Sadie xx

[rick1 in reply to sadie1951]

Thank you. Richard.

[longlungs]

Hi rick do hope your feeling a little happier to know your oxygen levels are good.If anxiety is your problem there are ways and means to help you cope ,i tend to suffer with this it is scarey,practice pursed lip breathing if you can ,always try to slow your breathing down ,you can do this rick,the nurse will be helping you now so this will help you too.Take care rick Janexx

[rick1 in reply to longlungs]

Thank you Jane will take your advice.Richard.

[Hidden]

That must be some reassurance that the doc has said that there is no infection. My husband was given a leaflet about anxiety and has been offered a visit from home by a specialist nurse. Anxiety is becoming more of a problem for him. Try to take care and breath easy. Hope you have a better day today. With love and best wishes TADxx

[rick1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Tad.Richard.

[sassy59]

Hope all goes well with the pulmonary nurse rick. Take care xxx

[rick1]

Thank you. Richard.

[naturelover]

Hi rick1

Yes it puzzles me when it is over 90 for the reading and yet I am so breathless. I just walked around the corner to my consultants office and my reading had gone down into the 80's, frightening,. I am glad you have a nurse coming out to see you. Mine is very nice. I have oxygen in the house and have found it helps taking some before I go to sleep. Just now if I move from the chair I am breathless, we are all so sick of it aren't we? It is good to be able to talk on here to one another. I actually suffer from anxiety, have done for years....I have found I get panicky sometimes if I am in my church and I have to "talk to myself" to calm down....I use eucalyptus sweets by jakemans and find them good., also I use a vick inhaler...my GP laughs at me with that, but it helps me breath deeply when I need it. It is good to put on relaxation music and be conscious of the breath, going in and out, very slowly. Good luck....

[rick1]

Thank you naturelover, my consultant said that I don't need oxygen and yet I am gasping for breath doesn't make sense does it, just hoping a nebulizer will work for me though I do manage to get some sleep.

[Offcut]

I am the same once sat and rested I have an over 90 sat but it will drop to below 80 with the shortest of movement and when lying flat.

[becraftygirl]

hi yes i know what u saying i do get anziety probs but dont seem to have them when they say io do if that mks any sence

but if you have time to sit for few minutes i got some tapes or cds i shouls say on ebay which are very helpful if you have people that are there put head set on they really are helpful hope this helps and breathing excercises are very good as well

[rick1 in reply to becraftygirl]

Thank you I will try that. Richard.