Oh to be in Spain now the COPD is here....

[Timberman]

One of the best things about this site is sharing ideas and hearing others' experiences. Well a few weeks back I wrote enthusiastically about how a change in medication had transformed my condition. From then, about October to Christmas, I was a kind of new man. Not 100% of course but a decent 80 for sure.

Well forget that now. A great Christmas with family and then friends and someone handed me a package I did not want. Whatever bug it was, knocked me way, way back. By now I should be in Spain enjoying better and certainly drier weather. I am not. A one week delay is now two and progress is agonisingly slow.

The request for a second rental payment has arrived and we are not even there!

A viral infection is the reckoning. I am on the usual antibiotics against further infection and steroids for what inflammation has or may arise. But I am good for 10 paces max, preferably only lightly loaded. I do things in small bites and with rests.

A week or so ago when the first postponement took place I had loaded the car - very slowly - and collapsed in a heap only too well aware that the phrase 'unfit to travel' had suddenly acquired a whole new reality.

Then I heard about my slightly younger brother. A collapsed lung sent him into hospital for four days while they drained and stabilised him. He has COPD, similar to mine own, and suffered a pulmonary embolism a year or so back. I felt slightly better by comparison of course but brothers can be like that.

So here I sit feeling a burden upon my caring wife and acutely aware that she has had the same underlying infection for 10 days now but, without my excuse to be a crap patient, is largely ignored, still has to walk the dog and cook dinner and keep house (fair play I do brekka and lunch, morning coffee and stuff but hey!).

One thing good reader - if you have COPD episodes have you had one where you seem to be seriously short of wind but do NOT produce avalanches of mucus and the breathing issues is NOT asthma-like? And where steroids and antibiotics do not seem yet to be properly cracking it?

[sassy59]

That's a real bummer Timberman but not a lot you can do. Antibiotics will tackle bacterial infections so if the virus has gone bacterial you should start to recover. Unfortunately these things do take time. If Pete gets a chest infection we can write off at least 3 weeks if not more.

It's a shame about Spain but do get well soon and your wife too. Take care xxxxxxx

[Pam1952]

I feel for you! I've had nothing for four years and then just over four weeks ago....bang!....viral infection, which I'm only just starting to feel a little better from. My problem is that I don't cut myself any slack, and have carried on working, so if you do everything by the book you'll hopefully be on your way to Spain fairly soon. Good luck, and I wish you well.

Pam XXX

[jimmy1c]

Hi timberman

Sorry to hear about your recent troubles. It is something that has been on my mind recently. I have been feeling really good now for a few months but I am always waiting for a bad spell. I know I shouldn't and should enjoy being well. A question do you find the hot climate better for your Copd.

Jimmy1c

[Timberman in reply to jimmy1c]

Not too hot but dry is the thing. Over there in Jan I would get 14-18C but humidty at 25-30%. I am OK up to about 38-30 - then trouble starts again.

[Billiejean_2]

I take it that breathlessness is the main problem and that's a devil to deal with. I have Bronchiectasis and sometimes my exacerbations have all the classic infection symptoms, with increase in sputum, high temperatures etc. But sometimes the exacerbations do not produce mucous, just a lot of pleuritic pain and an immediate increase in breathlessness. It takes antibiotics, sometimes steroids but always, time to get over it. There have been times when I've despaired of the breathlessness that accompanies infections for me, but eventually it decreases and I get back to normal until the next time. If you've had a nasty bug, be it viral or bacterial, it's not unusual to have a lot of sob. Hopefully, it will run it's course and your breathing will get back to how it was last October. Also hope you get to Spain soon and that your wife gets a break.

[Timberman in reply to Billiejean_2]

Kind words and wise. I have emphysema and bronchiectisis. It seems this time it may be the latter which has been exacerbated most. Nature of the breathlessness is for me atypical this time and nastier.

[Hidden]

So sorry Timberman. The good news is Spain is not going anywhere. As soon as you start to feel well, you can go back again. Your wife is a brick, but then that is what we do for our loved ones, just carry on. I wish you, your wife and your brother better health. I cannot help with your questions - sorry - I can't remember what I had for tea last night either. Will know better if/when I have my next exacerbation.

[Timberman in reply to Hidden]

Nice thoughts - thanks.

[Kristicats]

Think this year we have a more severe bug , unfortunate for COPD sufferers.

Hopefully we can get back to righting ourselves once its done its rounds!