Struggling

[Doggie123-UK]

Struggling badly the last couple of days, more so today, I have had bad anxiety attacks because of not being able to breathe properly because of the heat, I saw my GP last Thursday with a different problem and while I was there I asked her about the possibility of going to a Pulmonary Rehabilitation course she looked at my notes and said you had an x-ray last year and you are not bad enough, anyway its the hospital that refers you not me, how can I have more tests to see if I qualify, they don't offer any me information, I only found out about the emphysema when the Locum mentioned it in passing when checking the results of my CT Scan for ibs/diverticulitis.

Sorry about the long post and moan, but I have no one to talk to as I live alone and as such don't get any support

[2greys]

Hi Doggie123. Firstly, I believe that heat can affect our breathing (see my post below yours) hang on for a couple of more days and the heat will have subsided and breathing will be easier.

Secondly an x-ray is not going to tell a GP much even if they knew what they are looking for, that is why you get refereed to a consultant at hospital.

If you are regularly getting out of breath climbing stairs or walking up an incline (normal temps ) then go back to your GP and tell her, she should then refer to a chest consultant, once diagnosed, then ask the consultant for Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

[mrsmummy]

Your GP is mistaken and can make a referral, mine did. Why not ring the BLF for advice? 03000 030 555 during office hours.

[Ergendl in reply to mrsmummy]

My GP referred me too. I'm at the mild end of moderate for COPD. It did me the world of good preventing me from getting worse.

[Pam1952]

Hi Doggie 123. So sorry that you're struggling, but this weather really can play havoc with the breathing. I would go back to your doctor again and express your concerns. I hope that you get some answers and push for the PR referral. Wishing you the very best of luck. XXX

[Comeraghs in reply to Pam1952]

Hi i did PR - it is breathing and exercise

You can download breathing exercise on u tube and two or three exercise with feet e.g. up down one step - start with minute and increase by minute until four. Try and increase speed

You can sit on chair stamd up for down - as above

Count how many times to see your progress. Same with hands

U TUBE BUTEKYO MEDITATION it is breathing and meditation - roughly twenty minutes. Hope it helps. It does help me but have to persevere

[skischool]

doggie the fact that you have been diagnosed with Emphysema should put you under the protection and guidance of your community long term conditions team who are actioned by your hospital and primary care provider(your GP)they are the ones that can refer you for PR and other support,Run that by your GP if he/she has a problem with it.good luck and health my friend

[jillyd]

Hi doggie I have just finished another 8 week course of PR and feel so much better for it, they have continued to look after me by sending me for methods of breathing lessons to help my SOB I have also enrolled at the gym where I did my PR course at a reduced fee and have been going there to continue my exercising, my doctor referred me and this is the second time I have been I was also told that you are entitled to go once a year, or after an exasperation. Insist to you GP that you would like to attend a PR course, Good Luck xxx

[peege]

Well that's daft. My respiratory nurse put me on PR. The consultant also offered it (wish I'd quietly accepted that one instead of being truthful).

When going for the initial PR assessment I suggested I may not be 'ill enough'. She said "on the contrary, modern thinking is to get people earlier to prevent them getting worse"!

Do you have a respiratory nurse at your practice to talk to?

[Doggie123-UK in reply to peege]

The surgery i'm with doesn't have a respiratory nurse, other than the x-ray last year and the CT scan this year (the scan was to check my digestive system because of diverticulitis, which showed my emphysema as well) I haven't been referred to the hospital for any tests, the practice nurse did a test about a year ago but then had to read a book and check with the doctor before doing anything,

I was prescribed a Ventolin pump (blue) and a Aclidini bromidum dry powder pump, the Ventolin doesn't seem to help a great deal which I mentioned to the Doctor on my last visit and she didn't say anything just stared at the computer screen. Hopefully the weather is changing from tomorrow so will try to get back to the surgery and see my other Doctor and ask if at the very least I can be referred to the hospital for tests.

Thank you all for your kind comments and advice, I am very grateful for all the support this site gives.

Blessings

Philip

[burke1966]

I live alabama the heat here is crazy hot .