Advice needed please

[arsenal234]

Hello All. My mother has very bad copd and was quite ill over christmas, after two attempts managed to get her into hospital for a chest xray. They found a consolidation on her right lung which they believe to be an infection. Has an appointment tomorrow with consultant and possible a ct scan. Im at my wits end

[sassy59]

Sorry to hear about your poor dear mother. It does sound as if she is being treated well so hopefully she will be doing better soon. Do let us know how things go. Xxx

[Toci]

It can be a very frightening time. My advice would be to ring the BLF nurses on 03000 030 555. They are open office hours and would really be the people to talk to right now. They can help with explanations and also suggestions on what you need to ask her doctors. Good luck. x

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear about ur mom, never easy when trying to help but feel helpless, hopefully the appointment will improve things for all of u . Take care here for support to u both. Xx Sonia xx

[y_not]

Hi, I don't want to sound flippant but your Mum will be fine ... because she is in the right place now.

Chest infections are a nightmare to us COPD sufferers. The hospital will sort her out this time; going forward can I suggest that you ask for "emergency medications" - these are simply steroids & antibiotics but, because you don't need to wait for GP/hospital appointments they attack the illness earlier meaning much less severe symptoms. The GP will advise how and when to use them (mine are on a repeat prescription - replaced less than a week ago!)

The key thing is to catch infections early and treat them well - has she been to pulmonary rehab? This is a training course lasting several weeks and combines education (about the illness) with exercise (I'm well over 60, disabled and unfit - so clearly it's open to everyone).

Wishing her well, I'm sure she will be okay but, for the future, she really needs to understand how to remain well and avoid exacerbations (chest infections).

Good luck

[arsenal234]

Hi y_not

Thankyou for your reply. Shes been on antibiotics for 6 weeks now and had two courses of steriods. Shes very medical phobic so im not even sure if she will go to the hospital tomorrow but im hoping she does. Im trying to get her to cut down on her smoking but as shes unable to get out she just sits there all day long chain smoking. Also shes only 5 stone 6, theres lots of different things going on which is why im praying she attends tomorrow

[y_not in reply to arsenal234]

6 weeks! Wow, think I'd feel inclined to drop her in a straight-jacket if needed, because she really needs the hospital treatment.

COPD sufferers need to keep the lungs in as good a condition as possible , given that they will never be brilliant so getting treatment for the infection (or whatever it is) is just so important.

I really hope that she goes - even if it's only to satisfy you.

I'm not going to bat on about smoking because when I smoked every time someone moaned on about it I simply dug my heels in further. She clearly knows the issue and she's grown up so has to make her own decisions; sadly your concerns are the "collateral damage" of those decisions but, as smokers, we didn't/don't think about others as much as we might have.

I really don't know what to say except to wish her and you all the very best.

[arsenal234]

Thanks everyone

[Louisiana]

chest infections are never much fun, but as long as she takes her antibiotics she should be OK.

[arsenal234]

Hello all just an update from Today. Went to the hospital but unable to CT scan today,must say consultant was fab, my mum even got a kiss! She did however have bloods taken for a Myeloma screen and an urgent ct scan referral. Fingers crossed

[y_not in reply to arsenal234]

Good news at last! So glad she went after your thoughts that she might not even go.

A step in the right direction.

So pleased for you.

[arsenal234]

Thank you very much. I think I'm winning her round a bit. I must admit I rang the blood testing unit at the hospital this afternoon, the lady was very nice and i knew she wouldn't be able to disclose any information to me but she did say the results are back apart from one but that wouldn't make any difference. Sounds positive thank goodness