Emphysema

[Anjie123]

hi..my name is angie..I am a little in shock,if that's the right word...3weeks ago had a bad chest infection. Coughed up blood..friends persuaded me to phone the Drs?.saw a nurse, who sent me for an X-ray, then got a letter saying a needed act scan...just phoned for results yesterday to be told by a receptionist I have emphysema and I am being sent an appointment to see the breathing clinic...when I asked about what that meant ..she said "I am not medically trained..google it" Haven't seen a dr or had it explained to me ..and googling it has just terrified the life out of me...is this normal?? Sorry it's a long winded post x

[Grayjay]

Hi Angie, sorry to hear of your illness. I have the same thing and like you was left in the dark until I saw the Pulminary specialist. You will be prescribed meds and given info for how to deal with it. Later you will be referred to the Rehab team. I have finished my session , I went twice a week for six weeks. You will meet others with the same probs and pick up lots of useful info. Regarding you coughing blood, seems that you have an infection and need antibiotics and steroids from your GP. If you smoke pack it in now.!!!!

God bless.

[Anjie123 in reply to Grayjay]

Thanks for replying ...Glad I have people who understand xx

[Hidden]

Hi Angie I'm Angie to lol ...you must be feeling quite numb ...The receptionist had no business telling you your results or to google she's neither medically qualified or allowed to advise you on these things ... make an appointment with your GP or practise nurse pending your copd stage you will need inhalers and reassurance from them as to what avenue to take that's best for you . If you smoke stop ...if you don't exercise ...start keep hydrated with water and fluids ...copd is not a death sentence by any means but take guidance and advice from a professional and leave Google well alone there's lots of information on there in regards to copd but it can also enhance any fears you might have until you have spoken to your surgery I hope you get sorted soon xxx

[Anjie123 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Angie thanks for replying..to be honest finding this page has been a relief x I stopped smoking 16yrs ago but for some stupid reason I decided to try vaping 3yrs ago..I guess this is a big no too.. I drink tons but Diet Coke and I do exercise..I really haven't had any symptoms yet...which is why I am shocked xx

[Hidden in reply to Anjie123]

I vape since stopping 10 months ago when I was told I had its better than the cigs ...iv flipped my life around also diet exercise never did any of it now it's daily lol walking running gym ...i only drink water now but to be fair your GP should advise you and there's lots of advice on this page that you can take on board as well I hope you feel a bit better finding the site ...write down a list of questions for your doc and go armed xx

[Anjie123 in reply to Hidden]

I will do thank you xx

[Hidden in reply to Anjie123]

Let us know how you get on ...i don't have many syptoms either I'm stage 3 so it's possible your mild but the chest infection is par for the course with any lung condition we are a bit more susceptible to them..also have a word with your surgery as to why the receptionist gave you results and told you to google xx

[Leesea]

Hi Annie

That is awful!! The receptionist shouldn't give out results at all and sounds very rude!!

I hope that you soon get referred to someone who will explain things.

In the meantime, I hope you are not too short of breath. Welcome to the forum.

[Anjie123 in reply to Leesea]

Thanks Leisa...the strange thing is I don't have shortness of breath or any other symptoms..which is why I think I am in shock!, I guess I will have that to look forward too .. thank you for your welcome xx

[Ramy22]

The receptionist should not have given you ANY information on the grounds that she isn't medically trained.... and her advice to google it! I am horrified! I would write to the practice manager at your surgery . ...And demand to see a GP! I thought my surgery was useless but the more I read about others.... I hope you get the right support soon.

[Anjie123]

Thank you Ramy..I wondered if I was making a drama out of nothing...x

[Dedalus]

Just to say hello and welcome Anjie x

[Anjie123 in reply to Dedalus]

Thank you 😊 xx

[2greys]

You have no need to be terrified it is not a death sentence. You can still live a relatively normal life, with a few adjustments to your lifestyle. Once you have seen a consultant at the Respiratory Clinic they will advise your GP on your treatment. It is best to ask your GP for a spacer to use any inhalers, as using a spacer maximises their use.

Ask to be referred for a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Course, it is there that you will learn how to control your symptoms and how to breath when exercising and different recovery positions. Learn about how to adjust your diet. How to use the different inhalers. In fact all you need to know about how to manage this disease.

When I was first diagnosed with severe Emphysema I googled it and was terrified by what I read from some of the results. Dr Google is not a good way to learn about this disease. Only some of the results were accurate. You will find all the help you need from the members here, we know, because we live with it.

[Anjie123]

Thank you 2greys x have to say this site is brilliant,,,really helped to calm down and take it in better 😊I have an appointment with the breathing clinic in 3 weeks so hopefully getting a plan of action then x

[Time_2_drink]

Absoloutley shocking to be told to google it keep of Google I know it's hard but come to this site instead take cate