Hi everyone, just a quick query.

[chloe05]

I was told 18 months ago that I had COPD stage 1, I had another spirometry test done 2 weeks ago and was told by my GP that I was at stage 2. The query is, is this a fast change or will it stay at this level now for the forseeable future? I am on Symbicort 400/12 inhaler aswell as Aclidinium bromide inhaler. I have started getting a lot of congestion in a morning that I find very hard to remove, sometimes I get the horrible feeling of suffocating which is beginning to panic me to say the least. Has anyone any ideas how I can clear this of my chest, without coughing my lungs up?

[Louisiana]

Have you been on PR and have you heard of "huffing"? - that helps me tremendously

[chloe05]

I have not been told anything really, I only know what I do know about COPD by reading what other people are posting on here.

[Sohara]

You can learn the huff/ cough by looking on you tube there are loads of video s on there that help with copd

[Bliss2]

Hi chole05 what I'm doing is exercising twice a week treadmill rowing machine weights leg press chest press, all so I've been to the pulmonary rehab which again is exercise where you meet people with the same has you , eat veg and fruit drink water,

Last Nov I had a Spirometry test which said I was moderate, I had another test on Mon and the nurse said I was mild, so all my exercise has payed off by the way I'm 70 years exercise helps I think to clear the gunk from our chests Bliss xx

[stilltruckin]

copdsupport.ie/about-copd/h...

[huggs]

Hi Chloe,

There is a drug you can get prescribed by your doctor called Mucodyne. I also have copd and it was not until I was started on Spiriva handihaler and Mucodyne that I began to improve, although still not there yet. The Mucodyne thins and breaks down the mucous and it is therefore easier to cough up all the gunge. My experience of it was that it was around a couple of weeks before it started to work. I read somewhere that it does not reach its peak of working until you have been taking it for 3 months, but I have no idea if that is true or not. My point is, that if you get this drug keep taking it for at least a month or 6 weeks to give it a chance. Unless of course you get side effects or are allergic to it. It works wonders for me and I would recommend it. It will not work by just taking one or two of the capsules. I am saying this because people have come on here saying they have been taking Mucodyne for two or three days and it hasn't worked! Good luck and best wishes. hugs xx

[joke]

I can only add my support for the comments by Bliss2. When diagnosed with PF I could only manage 200 on the euro scale I took up walking weights Tai chi and now 14 months later regularly blow 400 It's the way to go and dropping weight has helped enormously

[chloe05]

Thanks everyone for your support, your advice has been received gratefully, having a really bad day today can't stop crying. As my other half keeps saying silly old fool, but then he ain't the one suffering.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Hi chloe05. Have you been assessed by a pulmonary consultant or just your GP ?

[Offcut]

Huffing gets mine up and out.

[peege]

Hi Chloe, great reply from Bliss. You need to get rid of the mucus either by exercises or getting the Mucodyne from doc. If it stays in your lungs it makes a good breeding ground for any bugs going. Watch the colour of it too?

Many of us take a maintenance dose of Mucodyne, 2 capsules 2 x daily and up it to 3 x daily when unwell.

Good luck with turning it around. I believe it can get progressively worse over time. However, that time could be very very many years if you look after yourself.

[Hidden]

The need to get something that helps break down the mucus so that it is easier to cough up. You also need to sit down with your doctor and get your situation reviewed. The fact that you have congestion may mean that your COPD is not under control so you need to work with your doctor to find out where the problem lies. You might also talk with your doctor about an emergency prescription of Steriods / antibiotics that you can take when one of the exaserbations occurs. Also do you have any emergency inhalers to help loosen up for lungs quickly?

You need to stablise your COPD and get it under control so that you can slow the progression of the disease. If you can get it stablised and keep it that way you can hold off its effects for a very long time.

[jimmyw123]

hi chloe,

most of your questions have been kindly answered by the previous posters. i am quite sure these forum members know well , about most things on copd. they are a help whenever you need help, they have certainly proved this in my case,

however if i may give you my own opinion on your first question,,re.stage 2? and "is this a fast change?",

Firstly let me say i am on so-called "end stage",,,, Stage four i prefer call it. i personally would pay no attention to these so-called stages, there are many folks stay on so-called stage one for many years, theres many people dont, same goes for so-called stage two, stage three and stage four, all these vary so much with different people, A lot depends on the person themself, i personally intend to stay on stage four for as long as possible. ,,years!!! even go back a stage lol.,,, i personally believe this, i have to.

It is only my own opinion, that you should forget about "stages" and concentrate on keeping as well as you can, learn all you can, take as many tips as you can, information on how do to this can be obtained so easy by all our kindly members and the B,L,F, it is a MUST to eat a proper diet,a MUST to exercise as well as you can, and off course as you will be well aware, its a MUST not to smoke [i am not suggesting you do chloe] ,A pulmonary re-hab would help you, but paying strict attention to all the "MUSTS" on healthy living etc.etc. ,,,, you will live a very long and happy life, i sincerely wish all the very best, and send my kindest regards,,, jimmy x

[chloe05]

Thank you jimmy you have put my mind at rest. I now know what questions to ask, and what answers I want. Yes I am overweight to the point of being clinically obese, no I don't smoke but did over 10 years stopped, through a scare I might add. I also have a nodule in my right lung that stops me taking some of the inhalers that are prescribed as they cause a burning sensation, this has not been checked by the way even though I keep voicing my concerns to my now GP. I suffer from AF and hypertension. What upsets me more than anything is the fact like a good many more of you have worked full time all my working life and have only been retired for 18 months, which was the icing on the cake, hubby retires next year, was really looking forward to doing everything we wanted to do in our younger years and now some mornings I dread opening my eyes. Well that's moan done with onwards and upwards aye. xx