new to this

[jus-tme]

hi all sorry but new to this sort off thing but but just been told i have copd but no signs as in cough wheezing breathing ok etc a little puzzled i have a pain in my ribs apart from that ?anyone one no of this please thank's

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hi there Jus-tme, welcome to this forum. It doors take a but of getting used to if you are like me and never done anything other than a simple text before! Everyone on here will help you. You can ask anything - it doesn't have to be about health either. Lots of folk can help you with links to sites for reading about COPD etc and all sorts. Going back to your post, perhaps you have a small infection and that's why you have done pain in your rib area ? In sure you will get lots of replies here. Do go see your doctor tomorrow if you don't feel any better. Never sit in silence. Hope you feel better soon.

[jus-tme in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

thank you i saw my doctor but just said i had copd then stuck a website to look at did not even explain about copd ? that's why i came here thank's for your reply and thank you for the welcome

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to jus-tme]

So sorry for all my typing errors - u can see I'm still a novice! Doctors can be so ignorant at times. Fancy telling you like that.

[Tee1008 in reply to jus-tme]

Hello jus-tme

Nice to meet you.

A lot of doctors know very little about COPD...but that is pretty poor patient care! Are you stuck with him/her, or is there another at your surgery who might be more helpful?

Tee

[jus-tme in reply to Tee1008]

thank you think 'm stuck with the doctor but not happy am trying to get an other one but can not get in confused a little again thank you

[jus-tme in reply to jus-tme]

p/s nice to have met you too thank's

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the site the best web sites to look at are NHS choice. Or BLF some gpS are hopeless take care and ask questions x

[jus-tme in reply to Hidden]

thank you tc

[freefaller]

Oh how useless is that. Do you have a respiratory nurse you could see? I would ask to be referred to a specialist. I know you may have to wait for 3 months but you need someone who can give you face to face advice and explanations. Makes me so cross. I think doc think very little of lung problems in general especially asthma and COPD and a lot know very little about the conditions especially other associated problems like Bronchiectasis and just tend to say "Ah well you have Bronchiectasis so won't give you any more antibiotics or whatever". They seem to be saying just put up and shut up. Wonder how your doc came to this diagnosis? Have you seen a consultant and what tests were done?

[jus-tme in reply to freefaller]

thank you for your reply i have a test on the 8th of this month so hopefully i'll find out more he is or doe's not seem interested so will have to wait again thank you and you take care

[y_not]

Hi jus-time, did the doctor do a spirometry test (blow into a tube), any x-rays or other tests? COPD is quite easy to diagnose but also easy to mis-diagnose.

I'd feel very inclined to make another appointment and ask for a detailed explanation of what you have, IRS impact and any lifestyle changes needed to improve the outlook.

One other thought; do you smoke (and if so how many and for how long) - not trying to "have a go" but the suggestion is that COPD is usually related to the number of pack years. (number smoked per day x number of years smoked) if more than 20 then younarecat high risk of COPD.

Best wishes and hope you get a full explanation very soon

[jus-tme in reply to y_not]

thank you for replying still no wiser from doctor tried to make another opointment but no luck as of yet i need to get the info from gp but till test not holding any hope he doe'snt seem bothered ? again thank you take care

[phil4u]

Hello,and welcome jus-tme .

I found out by collapsing after getting out of bed,however,I must have a more compassionate Surgery/Doctor than yours.You have,if you watch TV,seen that more attention recently,is being told of hidden poisons within the air,both in your house and outside ! COPD as the links will get around to telling you,is the new name for what the coal miner's got,however,with this world nowadays,there are lots and lots of invisible pollutants that are impossible to calculate or see.COPD is the third biggest killer in the world today.

Over quite a long period nowadays I push myself to take the dog for a walk,or maybe the dog takes me more now as I find it becoming more and more difficult (but in cold weather it is) you should have a supply of antibiotics and steroids at hand (tell your Doctor off) these are only to be taken when your breathing becomes severe and COPD attack's take place. Other breathing medication should be taken depending on your age and the stage that your lungs are like inhalation medication should have been routinely taken together with a periodic visit to a specialist nurse or sister that deals with your lungs to monitor them at certain times,to find out weather your body is getting better or worse.

Hope that bit of info together with other peoples replies,

Good luck with your future and listen to your body...

Everyone on hear will help and be careful on which links you click on to

[jus-tme in reply to phil4u]

thank you for your help i go for the test 0n the 8th so hope 'll find out more about this at moment know nothing again thank you for taking the time to reply please tc

[Ergendl]

Hi just-me. I get sore ribs if I don't use my blue inhaler before exercise and singing. It's because the activity is trying to make my lungs work more than they can cope with. The reliever inhaler helps it.

[jus-tme]

thank you but i'm not so far using an inhaler as i have no idea what's going on at moment ? my doctor's are useless i go for a test on the 8th of this month thank you for your help hope you feel better in the future sorry don't know much about it again ty and take care

[Hidden]

jus-tme

Take the initiative when you see your doctor. Tell him/her straight up that you want to know exactly what his/her diagnosis means and you want to know what you should do in order to cope with the diagnosis. You have every right to know.

Don't pussy foot around the doctor. Take charge. I'm sick of doctors who don't give adequate information. They make things worse instead of better and keeping people in the dark causes too much stress for the patient they're supposed to be treating.

[jus-tme]

thank you i'm just on my way to see the doc i'll sure try my best thank you for your advice