Exacerbation

[CyprusPat]

I know there are many knowledgable people on this site so I'm hoping somebody can help. I have stage 4 emphysema. Cutting a long story short grandson came over with bad cough and 4 days later I develop a cough and the next day I was so sob I could hardly talk. Went to local GP who said chest infection so was prescribed antibiotics, medrol, Atrovent and ventolin for nebuliser plus oxygen as my o2 was 80. The nebs just made me more sob but I stuck with it. Eventually I felt reasonably ok in as much I wasn't short of breath when sitting and I could walk around the house ok. Went back to doc after all meds gone and he said ok back to the inhalers (ultibro and miflonide) that was three weeks ago. On Monday really short of breath again but then it is mid 30s and there is dust but I thought I'd go see a pulmonologist. So yesterday I was told I had a chest infection bearing in mind I have no cough or sputum so was prescribed antibiotics, medrol, Atrovent, ventolin and Pulmicort back on oxygen for 18 hours. She did a spirometery which said was very low and charged me 50 euros for the test! It was not much more sophisticated than the one I have myself which showed fev1 as .28 l before I left home. So here I am gasping for breath after nebulising Atrovent and ventolin for the first time today. She also said I've probably got asthma. She now wants me to have a new CT scan which will cost me 375 euros. I guess my first question is has anybody else had this sob while using the nebuliser and secondly would It.be better to move back to the UK. Sometimes I think things get lost in translation. Sorry I've gone on a bit just feeling quite miserable and feeling sorry for myself. I was a lot happier when I smoked lol.

[Hidden]

Sounds like should be on iv antibiotics’s but I don’t know how heath care is fixed over there.

I guess doctors would checked your blood pressure pulse when they went to see them.

Some times I have bad reactions to my hypertonic saline but dose help in long run.

Usually that’s only when not used my neduliser for few days THEN start again.

You not been on off with neduliser.

Would not being on oxygen on off not irrate your lungs.

I know it’s important to have correct mix when it comes to oxygen therapy.

Hope things start to improve for you defo no fun having breathing issues.

[CyprusPat in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your response. I've never needed oxygen up until this episode so I'm quite ignorant about the pros and cons.

[Hidden]

I have bronchiectasis not copd but I have read your post very carefully. This all started with a virus, kindly donated to you by your grandson. Six weeks ago I caught a very similar virus. Unlike my bacterial exacerbations which result in vast quantities of muck, this was mainly extreme sob ( unusual for me) a temperature an inability to get anything to come up and feeling rotten. I took my abs and my consultant threatened me with IV three weeks in. She also gave me ventolin to nebulise which did help a bit. I started nebbing twice a day with 0.9 saline five days ago and I am so much better. My con had also said that these viruses are hanging around for weeks. I cannot diagnose but taking my own experience into account I suspect that it is the virus and that taking your usual copd meds until it departs is probably best. I am always suspicious of private medics who want to order further tests when we already know what our underlying condition is and we are just struggling because we succumbed to a virus. Hope that helps.

[CyprusPat in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your response. Where do you get the saline from as I've never heard of nebulising it before.

[Hidden in reply to CyprusPat]

Being in England nebulising saline to loossen the mucus was suggested many years ago by my consultant and is prescribed by my GP. Was your emphesema diagnosed originally by a specialist?

[CyprusPat in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I had a CT scan back in 2012 which showed emphysema, at this time I was seeing a pulmonologist who prescribed various inhalers and was told I was moderate. Over the years this has become very severe according to her. Guess it's my own fault as I started smoking again 18 months ago albeit about 5 a day but stopped again about 4 months ago which incidentally coincides with getting worse lol. Getting on a bit better with the nebs now, think I was breathing too deep! I definitely think it's time to change the inhalers after I've got over this infection but not all inhalers are available in Cyprus. Once again thanks for your time in replying to me.

[Hacienda in reply to CyprusPat]

Hi Pat , Read all you comments here, Hope this helps :, I lived and worked in Spain for 28 Years, had a Hip replacement there, as a Resident and paying into the system I had good Spanish Health Care I always had a good relations with my GP's. My Last GP ( not Spanish) there whom I was with for 3 years and Treating me for Bronchitis, I had the Saline Nebulisers at Clinic for 7 days when I was Bad. I had never Heard of COPD and maybe would have been Diagnosed if she had referred me to a Lung Specialist....Forward to 2013, I & Hubby came back to Uk for other reasons. I immediately registered with GP here, I was Diagnosed with COPD by a Respiritory Nurse who came to my Home , From then on I became worse and once all the New Meds and Two Urgent Hospital Stays, Exacerbations. I started to feel better, Stopped Smoking there & Then , which gave me so much more relief. Early 2016, I had an Assessment for Double Lung Transplant at QE Birmingham. On 28th June 2016 I was told I was Placed on the "List" As I have been waiting 2 years now, I was offered a procedure of Valves(4) inserted into my lower Left Lung, that was on 7th June, it was a success SOB is a lot less, and although I still have to have my Oxygen, it is a lot less needed and reduced to 1.5 lts at home, 3 lts, when out walking and Exercise. I truly believe in Rehab, and Breathe Easy Exercise Classes. Sorry to go on a bit, Just Stay Positive, Stop Smoking, exercise and Insist you see a Lung Consultant at your Local Hospital. Good Luck my Dear Ex Pat Pat. Love n Hugs. XXXX

[CyprusPat in reply to Hacienda]

Thanks for you reply. I've been doing some googling and have discovered that there is a pulmonary department in the Nicosia general hospital which offer pulmonary rehabilitation as well as valve replacements. Wonder if they do the rehab in English although I retired here 10 years ago my vocabulary consists of about 10 words 😉 At the moment though I'm not sure I can do the 40 min drive without oxygen. Day 4 of steroids, antibiotics, Atrovent, ventolin, Pulmicort and oxygen I can just about manage 94/95 sp o2 and my fev1 has dropped to .24 l. I must confess I'm at my wits end. Enough about me though, I'm glad you are better after the valves and hope you don't have to wait too long for the transplant. Best wishes and hope your lung function has improved.

[Hacienda in reply to CyprusPat]

Morning Pat This lovely sunny Sunday 1st July. I imagine now that all Hospitals have English speaking Doctors, When I lived in Spain and phoned their NHS I was answered with a Voice Message asking what Language I needed, I am good with my Spanish, but nice to know they had the service. Good Luck Pat, keep us updated. Love n Hugs . Carolina XXX

[Hacienda in reply to CyprusPat]

I must Add, I am also Stage 4 Emphysema. will know my new lung function on 11th July ( it was 30%) xxx