COPD ?

[Greengoddess17]

After a few chest infections the doctor asked me to have a spirometry test. The nurse advised moderate obstruction and gp ordered an x-ray which was normal. He advised although a non smoker and 38 based on spirometry it looks like early copd. On the day of my spirometry it was a high pollen day and I was very breathless and had to use my ventolin inhaler before I done the test. I also was still wheezy and chesty. Nurse did not think it was a good day to do it but did anyway. She did not do the reversibility portion of test as I had already used my ventolin inhaler two puffs so she could not give it again. I am repeating the test on Monday and so anxious

[casper99]

Hi

With an all clear Xray, I'd want a scan to check they are right.

If you've never smoked, that, along with the fact you are quite young to have COPD, it needs investigating further and a scan can do that

.

Even if it is mild COPD, it's not a death sentence and early onset is really good, so try not to worry about it. xx

[Badbessie]

I agree with Casper, further investigations need to be made. Spirometry can be affected by so many factors that in your case I would question the result unless more extensive investigations are made.

[Greengoddess17 in reply to Badbessie]

What other tests show it. With my gp the tests seem to stop at spirometry and chest x-ray a pat on the shoulder and inhaler and a don't worry we will get you sorted

[Hidden]

This isn’t necessarily copd at all. As you say that you have a ventolin inhaler are you asthmatic? Also, everybody with hay fever and many who usually don’t have it are suffering with wheeziness this year. It is silly and pointless to test you in the surgery when you are obviously experiencing something that is probably your asthma or reaction to pollen. It is also very unusual to develop copd at your age if you are a non smoker and do not work in a polluted environment. If this goes on or you get another infection I would suggest that you get your GP to refer you to a good respiratory specialist, especially if you have asthma. Don’t take no for an answer.

[Greengoddess17 in reply to Hidden]

Had childhood asthma and even after normal spirometry they told I could take my ventolin inhaler if breathless i.e. after exercise or during allergy season

[Greengoddess17]

Have also noticed that in this warm weather we are having I have a dry cough no mucous and feel a bit tight in my chest sometimes. But no real cough more irritated throat. Also have reflux and rhinitis initial doc thought it might be adult asthma but after that spirometry second doc went straight to copd and could not understand why I was so upset. He literally had me in his surgery for 5 mins

[Hidden]

People with lifelong asthma can develop bronchiectasis. It is very different to copd and needs different treatment and self management. This development usually begins with a series of chest infections. It can only be diagnosed by ct scan, read by a bronchiectasis expert. I am not suggesting that you have bronchiectasis but in the unlikelihood that you have copd I would suggest keeping an eye on yourself. If you get more chest infections do insist on being referred to a bronchiectasis specialist, not a general respiratory consultant. If you are developing it you will need to know how to manage it so that you can live a fulfilled life. Most likely it will be ruled out with your present problems being caused by your asthma not liking the heat and all of this pollen. I hope that you feel better soon.

[Greengoddess17 in reply to Hidden]

Hi do u know would you have an obstructive spirometry with this thanks

[Hidden in reply to Greengoddess17]

I would think that asthma and wheeziness due to hay fever would result in low spirometry. I don’t rely on spirometry as an indicator of how my bronch is so one of the copd members may be able to answer your question better than me.

[Greengoddess17]

What conditions are under copd umbrella if doctor says I have it which one do I have I'm confused

[peege in reply to Greengoddess17]

Hi, in the uk, under the umbrella of copd are emphysema and chronic health bronchitis.

Usually copd comes from smoking however, it can also be from environmental factors like being brought up in second hand cig smoke, pollution, working environment IE woodworking dust.

There's also a genetic deficiency which predisposes one to copd and that's the Alpha 1 deficiency. If it does turn out that you have very mild copd I'd strongly advise that you have the simple blood test for it. I have asthma too, luckily I'm a little wheezy at the mo but some of us are pole axed with the high pollen & dust.

Try not to panic though as anxiety doesn't help, it sometimes takes a while to get a correct diagnosis so hang on in there. P

[Greengoddess17]

Could anything else cause obstructive spirometry i.e anaemia or thyroid condition or anxiety

[Greengoddess17]

Have no mucous coming up just a little tightness in chest that comes and goes a and a tickely cough. But due to 3 antibiotics for the same chest infection I had a spirometry that nurse showed moderate obstruction but nurse said could just be inflammation. X-ray clear even though apparently moderate obstruction is clear and doc says early copd. Don't understand it

[Greengoddess17]

I think an x-ray to rule out anything else that may be causing the obstruction.

[anng1814]

I'm so sympathetic to you, as I'd used my inhaler when I had a spirometry test and they couldn't do the reversibility check. They've never bothered since.

The tests also make me anxious and I know it's better to be calm to get the correct results, but it's so hard once you know what they are going to do.

Take care and good luck!

[Greengoddess17 in reply to anng1814]

I know that's how I feel about Mondays test and am tempted to put it off until I am more call about things. Even thinking about it makes me anxious and tight in my chest x

[anng1814 in reply to Greengoddess17]

I know this sounds irrational, but I think you might regret putting it off and it may make you more anxious. Let the nurse know how you feel and she might give you a bit more time to calm down.

I feel silly hating it so much, but maybe it's because I'm so bad at blowing!

Do take care.

[Kristicats]

Hope it is more clear when you have your next test in Monday. Good luck