Finally

[Jackieshep57]

Dr has finally referred me to respiratory clinic at Bournemouth hospital as a course of steroids and additional inhaler have done little for my shortness of breath So just have to wait for an appointment to come through.

[PMRPete]

Just read your previous posts. It sounds so similar to me a few years ago. My doctors claimed I had had a heart attack, I had COPD as well.

A subsequent blood test showed I was anaemic and referral to hospital ended with an endoscopy, surgeon who did it said I had Barrett's esophagus and was to take PPI's immediately and possibly for the rest of my life! Within ten days all my shortness of breath disappeared, it had all been caused by silent reflux.

I know Southampton are very interested in reflux with chest problems, just hope you have success in Bournemouth.

[Hidden in reply to PMRPete]

That's so helpful thanks Pete

[Janzo54 in reply to PMRPete]

I think thats right-I had a lot of previous undiagnosed problems from hernia and reflux-had two endoscopies and treatments withPPIs and reflux settled down again-it definitely affected my COPD.

Janzo

[Jackieshep57 in reply to PMRPete]

Wow, you have gone through the mill. Thanks for your reply. I wonder if the haitus hernia is affecting my breathing. We shall see in due course.

[Hidden]

I go see a respiratory consultant at Bournemouth hospital, she has been really good. Hopefully you won't have too long to wait for an appointment and have the same positive experience. Are you doing pulmonary rehab at Bournemouth too?

[Jackieshep57 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mandy, I went to pulmonary rehab assessment but they said that as my asthma gets worse during exercise they refused to go ahead. My Dr then sent me to Bournemouth in case it was my heart but the angiogram was clear so next step is respiratory clinic. Good to hear from you.

[Hidden in reply to Jackieshep57]

That's a pity, was the assessment at Bournemouth, with Iain Hill? I don't have asthma, but my understanding was that rehab's aim is to increase exercise and fitness tolerance to help with breathlessness, as well as the understanding of your conditions, and what else can help you to manage on a daily basis, there are short talks as well as exercise in each PR session . If your assessment was with Iain at Bournemouth then I'd accept what you've been told, but if not I'd suggest you ask the respiratory consultant when you see them for another referral for the PR that takes place in the hospital. I know lot's of people with asthma who take part, it is a supervised session so help on hand if needed and you do as little or as much as you can, building slowly . Pulmonary rehab has been a great help to me. Hope your appointment goes well, I've been sent around the houses as well, starting with the heart people, now I see respiratory and rheumatology consultants. They still don't know exactly what's wrong, but the disease seems to have stabilised so that's good. They don't give up at Bournemouth, I've been referred to 3 specialist teams in London hospitals in the quest to find out what's wrong, they all agree with Bournemouth's treatment, but I'm still a mystery!

[Jackieshep57 in reply to Hidden]

My assessment was at Alderney.

[Hidden in reply to Jackieshep57]

I really would discuss it again with your consultant at Bournemouth when you go.

[lKeith]

jackieshep57

Hi getting you ailment checked at a hospital is good as they can shift you around to the various departments, so you should come out with a fairly accurate diagnosis.

IKeith

[Jackieshep57 in reply to lKeith]

All I want us to find out what is causing sob. Hope I get some answers.

[Jackieshep57]

First appointment is JAN 2019!

[greatauntali in reply to Jackieshep57]

That sounds about right. My GP finally referred me to the respiratory consultant, nine years after my diagnosis. I saw him on Saturday and he took 12 blood samples, took an X-ray, referred me for an ECG and also a CT scan. The waiting time for the scan is 5 months so he is not seeing me again for 6 months to allow all the results to be back.

It is quite scandalous really but hopefully, I will finally get an accurate diagnosis. The consultant was surprised that I had not had other checks because I work with livestock as this can apparently cause different problems.

Good luck.