COPD

[Jansy16]

I have COPD, I've had a bad chest infection for 3 weeks, been on Antibiotics & Prednisolone for the same time, so breathless afraid to go anywhere. Any advice what else to take to ease this breathlessness. I'm new on this site, so desperate for some input. Thanks

[Phil40]

Hi and welcome to the site. I think that the advice would be to get to see your doctor tomorrow so he can assess the best thing to do. If you are too worried then tell the surgery you cannot get out and get a home visit.

COPD can seem incredibly complicated to understand and cope with but I have found that there is great support here, and also there are some great Specialist Respiratory teams that can really help. Regards Phil

[RibvanRey]

Take a sputum sample to your GP so that they can get it to Pathology and find out what bacteria is troubling you. You obviously need different antibiotics as the infection has not been killed.

Regards Rib

[Phil40 in reply to RibvanRey]

This is the trouble with the lack of health education about COPD. If it is a non-infective flare up then the antibiotics are not necessary anyway; it may only be necessary to take the steroids. My Mum had no explanation about what to do when and what each med is for, until she was linked into the Specialist Respiratory team.

If you’re producing sputum which is discoloured that is indicative of infection needing antibiotics but as has been said it may need different meds or length of course.

See the doctor tomorrow and start asking questions. Read about COPD on reputable sites because learning how to manage your condition will help you a lot.

There will be loads of advice here too. Take care

[justjill_uk]

Have you ever been how to do exercise to help your breathing? Get it controlled, helps to get sputum up? Pulmonary exercise courses cover all that and more.

[Hacienda]

Hi Jansy16,

I'm on long term Antibiotics, every 3 days. since being on them I have not had a chest Infection, I do have my Rescue Meds on Hand. The P.Rehab is amazing and I strongly advise you to get a referral from your Doctor and start going asap. the results are fantastic..Exercise is vital with our Condition, there is no excuse not to. In my class, there are 3 of us on Oxygen 2 in wheelchairs, our ages vary from 55 to 84... You will also get great advice on here...good luck and A Very Merry Christmas...Now, BREATHE

[mskpjb]

Certainly see your doctor Jansy16 but in the meantime get someone to get you a small hand held fan. I'm on oxygen but in an emergency it's amazing what a fan blowing into your face can do. And it's not just imagination my oxygen nurse tells me it's actually proven to help.

Take care and I hope you're soon feeling better, Sheila x

[tracyball1]

As the others just find exercise helps me and I do struggle to begin with but I take it slowly don't go to far but start trying to go a bit further every day the more inactive I am the worse my chest gets, I know it's difficult when you feel really breathless but getting oxygen into your lungs might help,but also go back to your docs if your not improving x

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome.

I have been diagnosed with approx 50% COPD and find that most days I breath consciously, that is to say I am aware of nearly every breath I take whilst awake.

I treated myself to an aroamatherapy massage a few weeks back and can honestly say it was one of the most telaxing experiences I’ve had since my diagnosis about 6 months ago.

I can’t lay on my stomach at all at home but my masseuse persuaded me to try. The first 30 seconds I was struggling with my breath..... About 30 mins later my masseuse asked me to turn over and lie on my back. It was only then that I realised I hadn’t given one thought to my breathing.

The essential oils used were, frankensence & rosemary, a couple of others too but I can’t recall their names.

What a wonderful experience followed by a fantastic nights sleep and improved breath and lack of cough for a good few days after.

I now have aromatherapy massage at least once a month as it improves my condition immensely and for a few hours I can forget I have this horrible disease.

I hope you find something that elevates your condition.

Best Wishes and Happy Christmas

Simon

[hallentine47]

I am experiencing the same thing right now!! Community Nurse has suggested a sputum sample for analysis so appropriate antibiotic can target the problem. I have been using home emergency pack of Doxycycline and steroids which have dealt with only part of my exacerbation. I have bee Hospitalized three times but this is the worst breathlessness I have experienced. I have only 23% projected lung remaining. I have Emphysema and COPD

[sak50]

I have always found that I'd need more than one lot of antibiotics to clear up an infection. All of the advice here is spot on. Respiratory nurses are brilliant. They'll come to your home and are always my first point of call but all too often the doctor doesn't tell you about them. And Pulmonary Rehab is brilliant. Really has helped me. All gentle exercises at your own pace and capability. There's often a waiting list but go for all of it. :-).

[lKeith]

Jansy16

I have at the moment got your symptoms, just take your time but continue to go out but take your time and a break if you need it. Leaning on a lamp post may attract the odd passer by but what the heck, the fresh air will do you good.

IKeith