Confused

[alvorite]

When I get up on a morning, just going to the toilet and then downstairs, my breathing is shocking. Today I'm wondering if I'm starting with another infection yet the phlegm is pretty much clear (few black spots in it) HOW do I recognise an infection ?? Sat I hoovered the car out, yesterday visited mum where I was a little breathless going up to the toilet. Mum gave me FOSTAIR to try, I'm on normal blue inhaler and anoro ellipta...will I be ok to try the FOSTAIR?? And should I be going for antibiotics?? Feeling confused and fed up 😣

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi , if you are worried or unsure and it does sound like you are, then lease go and see your GP. At least that way if you have an infection it can be treated before it gets bad. Let us know how you are. Love Bernadette 😳 xx

[alvorite in reply to Damon1864]

No appointments left today...and if I can't get in tomorrow morning it's going to be weds as they are closed every Tues afternoon.

Is it normal for a COPD sufferer to be so breathless just getting out of bed ?? But then to feel pretty much ok after being up a couple of hours ?? Thanks Bernadette xx

[LeAnndrea in reply to alvorite]

I have COPD and mornings are the worst, I wake up wheezing and feeling like I've been hit by a truck..I use a nebulizer, with Brovana and Budesinide and it helps a great deal if you are not using a nebulizer you might talk to your Doc about it..feel better.

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to alvorite]

Yes that's normal, I'm like that every morning. But if you are worried about anything please ask, if I can help I will. But please talk to your GP, or your nurse. It really does help to talk. Take care hope to speak to you soon. Love Bernadette 😳 xx

[alvorite in reply to Damon1864]

Is it COPD you have ?? How long have you been diagnosed with your illness. I need to accept what I have and manage it properly 😣

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to alvorite]

Yes I have COPD don't know what stage and I don't want to know. That would make me anxious and I'd worry. Mornings are worse for me . Keep in touch. Love Bernadette 😳 xx

[wheezyof]

Your Mum gave you Fostair to try? I think you should check with your gp before trying inhalers that are not prescribed for you. I go to a support group (Breathe Easy) and many of us have different medication, including a variety of inhalers, even those of us with the same conditions as each other. An inhaler that suits one person can do more harm than good to another. Please contact BFL/your gp/respiratory nurse or another professional for medication xx

[alvorite in reply to wheezyof]

I was too scared to try the FOSTAIR as I know you shouldn't use other ppls medication

[Hidden]

Hi,

If you are that breathless etc that you need to borrow your Mum’s inhaler and you can’t get a doctor’s appointment I would go to A&E or a walk-in centre..

Usually greenish phlegm can be a sign of infection, brownish....

But it is better to get a proper auscultation and an xray if you feel poorly.

Wishing you better days x

[2greys]

I will caution against using someone else's medicine that has not been prescribed for you. It could be dangerous!

You yourself have given a prime example, you are taking Anoro Ellipta, a long acting maintenance bronchodilator, so is Fostair, which also in combination with a steroid. Take both and you are taking a double dose of a long acting maintenance bronchodilator without medical supervision. I know it is tempting whilst suffering, but please see your GP.

As for how your breathing is first thing, I feel pants just sitting up in bed, let alone actually moving. I get up at 5 am so I can take my meds, inc two inhalers, to be ready to go to work at 7:30 am.

[alvorite in reply to 2greys]

Aww bless you having to get up at 5am...but good on you for still working. Thanks for your reply. I know nothing about what I take or why....i think I've buried my head in the sand. But this has scared me so I'm going to act my age and get on top of everything xx

[alvorite]

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE THAT ANSWERED ME ...so I didn't use mum's FOSTAIR (I darent) and I went to A&E yesterday. After the nebuliser and steroids and 4 and half hrs 😣 I was discharged with antibiotics and steroids for a week. The doctor was lovely and is gonna ask my doctor to refer me to a consultant. I thought it was only me that felt so bad on a morning so I'm pleased to know it isnt but OBVIOUSLY not pleased to hear you all struggle so much on a morning. So let's hope I can get on top of this, maybe change my inhalers AND I think it's time I really learnt about my condition. Love to you all xx

[challny in reply to alvorite]

Isn't COPD crazy? I tend to feel best in the morning and then get worse as the day wears on.

[alvorite in reply to challny]

I have not heard of that before but I am sure I will be inundated with ppl saying the same. If i could choose I think I would choose how you are, if I am meeting up with anyone or got an appointment etc I have to get up so blinking early

[challny in reply to alvorite]

Alvorite, I see where you say one of your big problems is anxiety. Same with me, and I can't believe that anyone suffering from COPD does experience anxiety at some level. Has your doctor given you anything for it? My GP has given me Xanax, and it helps me to have a relaxing evening. I never take any during the day. I know it's addictive, but I don't really care. Breathing is addictive, too. My pulmonary doc says she would NEVER prescribe Xanax for me because it interferes with REM sleep. But without it, I would get no sleep at all. Anyway, my GP is a very patient and caring doctor, and I don't think he's wild about giving me Xanax but he does anyway because I think he truly believes they help me.

[alvorite in reply to challny]

No my doctor has told me to go have CBT...he wasn't sympathetic at all although I was in floods of tears. I'm becoming more and more housebound because of it 😢

[Hidden in reply to challny]

I feel annoyed that when I go to the Drs with chest pain/breathlessness etc they ask if I'm anxious! I tell them straight I am not an anxious person and if I was my breathing would be a 100 times worse. Why do they all feel we suffer with anxiety when we can't breath! And except the fact it's a form of chronic lung disease and nothing else for most of us.