Tightness.

I am wondering if this awful discomfort is due to spiriva i am taking. My chest and stomach feels like theres a tight belt round it. I’ve not slept a wink all night every time i think i’m dozing off i wake suddenly not breathing properly and like im going to suffocate. I’m sorry to go on, i know there are lots of people far worse off than me. I am so fed up and scared, its now making me depressed.

[Symes]

Hi Sheepdog

I’m on Spiriva also, but I don’t have those effects, although I know everyone is affected differently. It may not be the Spiriva but something else. Have you thought about seeing your GP? Even if it is, they can look at different options for you.

Symes

[Hidden in reply to Symes]

Yes, i’m going to gp this morning , i managed to get an appointment.

[Symes in reply to Hidden]

Ok. Hope it goes ok x

[Hidden in reply to Symes]

Thank you.

[knitter]

Could you contact your GP today and mention how you feel.

Your pharmacist can help too.

You may have an infection brewing or your inhaler may not suit you, we are all genetically different ...what works for one may not suit another person.

My breathing got worse with Serevent , but others are fine on it, my chest and throat tightened .

Whatever is causing your worsening breathing difficulties needs professional help. Please ring and ask for advice today.

[Hidden in reply to knitter]

Thankyou. Yes i’m going to gp today. I cant put up with this any more it is really driving me mad. I feel like i’m suffocating , i had chest xray last week, heard nothing yet.

[Hacienda]

Hi Sheepdog, Do you have COPD. I also had this and still do , sometimes less and sometimes more, But, I'm on Oxygen so that helps me. But the Tight "Belt" around your chest can be frightening, My Resp.Nurse told me it is the Air that cannot get past the Lungs when they are big and floppy and upper Body Exercise can release this tight feeling. It worked for me, not saying it will for everyone though. My Inhalers are Salbutinol Simbycort Steroid and Genuair, these two I take Twice daily, and our forever needed Ventolin which I can take up to 20 times a day, apart from the Oxygen. I live in hope of a Double Lung Transplant , been on the Active List for almost 2 years, So it's not that Active is it. Ha. I do hope Your GP Helps otherwise phone The Breathe easy Line for Respiratory, They are the Best and Know more than Most GP's. All the Best , let us know how you get on. Carolina XXX

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

Thank you, yes i have copd since 2007, and havent been too bad til this Christmas when i have now had 4 since. I am getting very down about it now. Doctors dont seem to get it sorted,

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

4 exacerbations that should say. Im getting a bit erratic.

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

So Sorry you had 4 exacerbations, I had 2 and in Hospital also , but that was in 2015. Been on Oxygen since, which has proven to be so needed, Not everyone needs it though. I also thank Azithromycin, my long term Antibiotic that has proven to keep all the nasty Bugs away. Keep Strong Sweetie, Let us know how you get on . XXXX

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

I see you lived in Spain. I have a home in Spain and am wondering if i should go live there for longer periods , its just family that is the pull here. Did you feel better in Spain? I do when im out there, unless its very hot and humid.

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

I lived there for 28 Years and My family is split in two Half there with grandkids, all Spanish. and Half here, grandkids also , but 2 hours away. Where do you have your Home Hun, I know all the Coast Line of spain.

I lived in Torrevieja, Near Alicante. The reason I came back was not my Condition, I was Diagnosed here..I wish I had been Diagnosed there in Spain, I feel I would have had my Transplant by Now as they have always had the "Opt Out" and their Success for Lung Transplant is way higher than here. If I was Fitter, I would go back Tomorrow. XXX

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

I’m near Javea, and Moraira. Yes, the care out there i find is far better than here. Never have trouble getting into doctor and always feel theyve treated me well. The pace out there is so calm , and obviously the climate much better than UK. My friend visits another friend of hers in Torrevieja, Orihuela. Wish i had the courage to live out there but i have such a close family here i would agonise over not seeing them often as i do now.

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sheepdog,

Yes, I know all these places having worked most of my life there. I also lived Costa de Orihuela, villajoyosa, and other places, mainly in Torrevieja. I had my Hip Replacement there and Their NHS is Fabulous, My Daughter had Breast cancer and her Treatment was brilliant she recovered 100 % and is doing so well, My Granddaughters bought her a Horse for last Christmas, as she has always wanted one, She now has a New lease of Life and Looks so radiant. Of Course she has the Weather to Ride every day. I see them all most days on Watsup Video or Skye.

We can't live in the past, But, I do feel I should never have Left. So, We have to get on and make the most of things here. I like to make plans for each day, I hope as soon as I get new Lungs I can go and Visit and stay for a few months. Best of Luck Hun XXXX

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

Thats nice about your daughter, a relief. Yes, i miss being in Spain when i’m not there. I am very torn.! Just been to doctor, more prednisolone, which helps, and stopped spiriva in case it was having adverse effect. Have to see him in a week, and if i am no better in next few weeks he said he would have me in the hosp and do more tests and monitoring.

[Dubba61 in reply to Hidden]

Just reading in your post that you mentioned living in Spain. I,m thinking of buying a Holiday home there, so i can go over in Winter. Might help my Breathing. Do you know of any nice places near to Santander? I don't like to Fly so would need to be close-ish, to the Ferry terminals. Dee

[Hidden in reply to Dubba61]

I am a lot further south than Santander, and always fly to Alicante, or ferry from Docer to Dunkirk, so i’m not really familiar with Santander, but i will ask my friend who is more aware of these places. Will get back to you.

[Hidden in reply to Dubba61]

Dover that meant, sorry pressed wrong button!

[Hidden in reply to Dubba61]

There are lots of nice properties to buy actually in Santander, some more expensive than others. Its a very nice part of northern Spain and obviously easy to get to the port from the UK. Theres a place called Somo which is quiet and really lovely beach apparently. Then theres Maliano which is another lovely area near to the port of Santander. I hope you find somewhere, definately the climate better for our breathing problems. But July and August are a bit risky because of the humidity. Best time is march to may or September to november.

[Dubba61 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou so much for that. I will certainly look at properties around there. Probably best to go for a visit. I would hope to be here in the Summer Months. Just sick of the Winters and restricted breathing. Be lovely not to have to dread them. ☺️

[Hacienda]

Yes, I agree , These days I couldn't live in the Heat or Humidity, so maybe from march to end of may, they would be the best months. xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

Yes, July and August are not good, i suffered 2 years ago when i was out in August.

[jackdup]

I have had similar issues and believe it is related to the Spiriva as I tried stopping it for a few days and then started again and didn’t seem to have the problem when I stopped and it returned after I started it again. I have raised the head of my bed a few inches and that seems to have really helped. I also occasionally take a Zantac which generally helps after 30-60 minutes.

Of course this is just my own experience and you certainly need to discuss it with your doctor as although it seems we have similar issues, they may not be caused by the same problems.

[Hidden in reply to jackdup]

Hello, yes, i stopped the spiriva yesterday( with doctors approval), and last night i was more comfortable. I am on prednisolone again so i am wondering if that is helping too though. I shall see when i stop the prednisolone after 2 weeks (weaning off), and if my chests easier after that then i will know it could have been the spiriva. I havent got another preventative inhaler yet, but the prednisolone helps( apart from putting weight on!, and hunger.)

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

I am glad you are getting some relief and hope you are able to figure out if it is the Spiriva or not.

[Hacienda]

I had similar probs, with Spiriva when it was in a Capsule in the hand pump. My Respiratory Nurse had it changed to a better one which I still use. The Spiriva gave me a Cardboard throat and the shakes...We have to try everything to find out how our Bodies/Lungs react. I'm happy with my Meds right now, although I do avoid Prednisolone if possible. In the early day's it worked, today I find my Lungs do not improve with this Med. We all know our own Bodies. The amount of Steroids over the years has certainly Pumped me up, not for the right reason I may add. Continuously trying to Diet...Fighting a losing Battle, But Hey, we have to Try. Have a Great Tuesday Everyone.. Carolina xxx

[Ergendl]

What did your GP say when you went back to him/her, sheepdog?

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

He said to stop the spiriva, which i have and i am much better, my breathing is easier and my chest feels more comfortable. I am on a course of prednisolone for 2 weeks so i hope the tight chest doesnt return when ive stopped those! I have no preventer inhaler at the mo, just ventolin. I had a stress cardiogram last week and it shows i could be on the way for angina. Have to have a scan soon. Doctor also said if i get another flare up he will send me to hosp for further extensive monitoring tests. Thank you for asking. I know im sure the spiriva wasnt suiting me.

[Ergendl in reply to Hidden]

I'm glad to hear your doctor took you seriously and you've already noticed an improvement. A healthier diet will slow the progression of angina if you're not already following one. All the best.

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you. Yes i’m trying to eat healthily. I just get very hungry being on prednisolone so tend to eat the wrong foods.!

[Ergendl in reply to Hidden]

Angina is caused in good part by arteries around the heart getting furred up. The thing is to stop them getting even more furred. So when you get the munchies, try to avoid high fat foods, high sugar foods, and white flour foods. Flavoured oatcakes are great, just avoid putting on the cheese... Fruit like apples and oranges are also good, but if you love grapes, keep to a small handful for a snack. Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you, yes your advice helps, its not easy to cut down on things. I love cheese, lurpack butter, and black grapes. I am eating too much chocolate too. I think the prednisolone i’m on are making me hungry and healthy foods , although i like salad and fruit, they arent satisfying my hunger. Ive cut out coffee, and have chamomile tea. Thank you again. Its nice to have advice.

[Ergendl in reply to Hidden]

Try fennel tea, made with fennel seeds. Even try chewing a couple of the seeds. They are a folk remedy for quietening a hungry stomach, used by people in congregations when preachers used to preach for hours, not minutes.

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you, i will get some.