COPD and women

[drd4]

Read an excellent report Taking Her Breath Away," from the American Lung Association, about the disparate effect and treatment of COPD in women. Although some of it only applies to the US, the info on research applies to all. It can be downloaded from its web site lung.org.

[Toci]

Here's the link -

lung.org/assets/documents/p...

[luckydragon in reply to Toci]

Thank you for the link above I have found it to be helpful.

[Toci]

Thanks for this drd4, an interesting read. There seems to be little difference between the US and UK on most points. We also have poor diagnosis by General Practitioners, many confusing COPD with asthma. The BLF are also trying to make COPD more known to the general populace and trying to get the government to commit resources to it. Let us hope things improve. x

[helingmic in reply to Toci]

Toci, doctor's confusion indeed! My first shortness of breath was deemed to be asthma. As a teacher, I got a lot of stick because it was difficult for me to move from one part of the school to another. when I became ill with an infection that lasted a month, the head thought this was not good at all and sacked me at the end of my first year of teaching! I was dispirited.

Even the specialist wondered why my cough didn't ease under Amoxicillin. His colleague told me I couldn't just eat them like Smarties! Eventually, that doctor sent me for tests at the Royal Brompton Hospital where they diagnosed bronchiectasis and some inhalers were prescribed. But I had to wait for antibiotics rescue pack for more than 10 years. When they saw that I would get ill not just with "normal" bugs, but also with pseudomonas, I was given some medicine to take home, just in case. But it was a struggle to get those rescue packs.

[Toci in reply to helingmic]

It is a hellish journey at times helingmic. So many are misdiagnosed it is criminal. I am glad you got there eventually. x

[drd4]

From your posts, I can see you are very knowledgeable so I appreciate your opinion.

[katieoxo60]

Thank you Toci for the link and comments, also drd4 for bringing the article to our members attention. It seems that different hormones between women and men makes a difference as with many other illnesses like heart attacks. But as you say the approach to treatment does not seem to vary much between here and America, the same errors occur in respect of COPD no matter what sex you are or where you live, we still need to campaign for better public awareness even amongst the professionals. The article was very interesting and informative

[patsymac]

I agree with all that has been said, I suffered with asthma for years and I managed ok with not too many problems. I gave up smoking 17 years ago but about 18 months ago my breathing just seemed to get worse, I went to see my GP and it was a year before I was offered breathing tests to determine what was wrong and I was diagnosed with severe copd, I have not been offered a rescue pack, to be fair I dont suffer with chest infections so I supposed they think I dont need emergency meds, but there might come a time (on holidays, weekends,evenings) when I do need them. X pat

[flo1]

I just read the article, please be reminded that if you suffer from COPD ask to be tested for Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficency, it is a simple blood test but one that could giv e you the correct diagnosis, there are 3 per cent of COPD patients currently not diagnosed properly with the disease they actually have, and alpha one is at the very top of this list, in fact it is under the sub heading of COPD . Ask your GP or Consultant for a test!! we are currently trying to raise much needed awareness about A1AD as it is known and there are too many patients out there unaware of the 'genetic illness' they have also due to many in the medical profession they remain unaware and untreated, I was frankly disgusted by the article not once mentioning a A1AD TEST! please check, it could help you get the proper care you need, there are only a handful of Specialist in the UK for Alpha One but if your diagnosed with it you need to be under the direct care of one.

[Kad21]

I must be very lucky with my GP, he tested me straight away for COPD, and Alpha 1, referred me to a specialist straight away, and changed the referral when I was so upset with the first one, he also sent me home with 5 prescriptions for antibiotics and steroids, to keep 'just in case' I have not long been diagnosed, and the government here runs ad campaigns for stopping smoking showing different diseases, we are currently on the emphysema ones, which scare me to death every time they air, not nice for the sufferers, but if it helps people so be it.