Flare up number two 2019

[BrianTaylor]

Evening all. I feel like I only post my own threads when I’m having a moan. Hopefully one day I’ll have something happy to say!

So this is my second exacerbation of 2019, and this is week three going into four. I’ve used up my rescue pack, and today had my third lot of different antibiotics and steroids! I’m taking roughly 2-3 hours to get myself together in the mornings, and 3-4 hours to get to sleep. I can’t stop coughing and sound like bagpipes. Trouble is, during the few hours in between all I seem to be able to focus on is trying to breath normally and not coughing! This is so consuming, and personally speaking this is the worst exacerbation I have had since being diagnosed

I am due a COPD review in about ten days and feel that I will be moved into stage four, having been just 1 ‘point’ away last time.

The doctor has given me an urgent referral for the chest consultant, and told me that if this latest dose (oxycyclin? - not had those before) doesn’t work then he will be admitting me to hospital as the surgery have ‘done all they can do’

All of you newbies who are currently worried silly by your own symptoms and diagnosis, I genuinely feel for you, but despite having had COPD for about 10 years, and feeling like this is my worst flare up so far, hopefully you might cope much better than me. I know I need to stay calm right now otherwise I’ll just feel worse. That’s what I need to focus on.

Keep smiling! Have a nice weekend 😘

[sassy59]

I’m so sorry to hear you’re poorly Brian. It sounds really dreadful and so draining. I hope something works and soon. Do stay in touch and let us know how things go.

You’re not moaning, just telling it like it is.

Take care xxxx 😘

[BrianTaylor in reply to sassy59]

Thank you so much Sassy, enjoy your weekend 😘 xxxx

[sassy59 in reply to BrianTaylor]

Thinking of you and your family. Xxx

[Caspiana]

Hello Brian. 👋

I am terribly sorry to read this. I can only imagine how very frustrating and draining it must be for you have exacerbation after exacerbation. Your family must also be pretty worried. I just hope the doxycycline helps and you get some relief soon. You are right in staying as calm as possible. There really is no point in stressing too much over that which we cannot control and it is detrimental to our breathing.

Please know we are all thinking of you. Do keep us updated. Sending hugs and good vibes,

Cas xx 🌿🍃

[BrianTaylor in reply to Caspiana]

Hi Cas

Thank you so much for kind words. Yes it’s definitely worrying but I have to keep a lid on it. Hope things are well with you

Take care and enjoy your weekend xx

[Carnival567]

I hope you feel better soon. All the best XX

[BrianTaylor in reply to Carnival567]

Thank you Carnival567, much appreciated xx

[Spacecat1]

Hope you feel on the mend soon. Hdbe a peaceful weekend

[BrianTaylor in reply to Spacecat1]

Thank you Spacecat1, much appreciated. Enjoy your weekend 😊

[Ergendl]

Yes, hope you feel better soon.

[BrianTaylor in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you Ergendel 😊

[COPD123491]

Hi

I had a serious chest infection and over the course of 4 weeks I had three doses of antibiotics and steroids. None of these helped. My GP, prior to contemplating admission to hospital, changed my antibiotic to doxycycline and my infection was almost fully cleared within three days. Hopefully they will do the job for you.

Having had two severe copd flare ups last year (two admissions to hospital) I have an idea what you are going through. I wish you all the best and I hope that the doxycycline kicks in and improves your condition and the best of luck for the future , friend.

Kevin

[BrianTaylor in reply to COPD123491]

Thank you so much Kevin, glad to hear that Doxycycline worked so well for you. I’ve started mine this morning so fingers crossed. Enjoy your weekend 😎

[Burbagegran]

I hope you're feeling much better soon. I think this is the one place that we are all free to have a moan in! At least we understand how bad you can be feeling. All the best.

[BrianTaylor in reply to Burbagegran]

Thank you Burbagegran, much appreciated. Take care x

[Izb1]

Hi Brian , so sorry to hear you are poorly again, its no fun when these things take a hold and just wont let go. Hopefully the oxycyclin will kick and give you some relief. Take care. Irene x

[BrianTaylor in reply to Izb1]

Thank you Irene, I really appreciate that. Fingers crossed for the new meds. Take care x

[Candyred]

Aww Brian I totally understand what your going through right now .. moan away .. have a cry .. have a rant .. I was admitted to hospital end of January, after weeks of steroids and antibiotics .. I was exhausted trying to concentrate on my breathing .. as for sleeping .. what’s that? .. hang in there .. I hope things will settle quickly for you .. hugs xx

[BrianTaylor in reply to Candyred]

Ah that’s a lovely reply, thank you Candyred! As you say just the exhaustion of concentrating on breathing is bad enough. Fingers crossed and thank you again. Take care xx

[SquirrelsHolt]

That's what you can do here BrianTaylor . We use this safe place for many reasons and I doubt there is a single member who hasn't voiced their concerns and just how frail and unwell they are feeling. It's 👌 ok! Let's hope the urgent referral to see your Lung Consultant is given to you asap.....I'm presuming that you are already under their care and on a minimum of 6 monthly appointments? I do think that sometimes our GP's say things without much consideration of their patient,who goes home in your case thinking "the surgery has done all it can do for you". I mean he/she was putting it very bluntly in my opinion because you obviously have enough to worry about already,let alone adding in that silly remark! That's my rant done!!

Wishing your new antibiotics turn things around but please keep in touch.

[BrianTaylor in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Thank you Squirrelsholt. Believe it or not I’ve not been under a consultant yet - all been done and treated by my gp and my chest nurse! I get 6 monthly reviews though and am due one in just over a week. Yeah flippant comments, don’t you just love them? I’m sure the GP could have picked a much better way of saying it, or maybe he is as sick of seeing me as I am of seeing him and the surgery lol! Really appreciate your post, thank you. Enjoy your weekend 😊

[Corin1950]

Hope you're feeling better soon. Hopefully the consultant will come up with something in addition to help you. My husband never found the GPS much good at treating his COPD . The COPD nurses were more helpful. The Community one spotted his heart problem and rang the GP. He's seen 4 different consultants and the one he first met when admitted to the Respiratory Unit at our local hospital was very good.

I've found being well informed helps too as you can have a more meaningful discussion.

Best wishes

Corin

[BrianTaylor in reply to Corin1950]

Thank you Corin. Hope you and obviously your husband, are both doing well. I agree that knowledge is key. I’ve been suffering with swelling either side of my neck, and my gp has sent me off for X-rays etc whilst all along I’ve been telling him that the harshness of my coughing recently has been to blame. He now agrees with me. Enjoy your weekend x

[Hidden]

I can't add anything the others haven't Brian. My heart goes out to you at this time and hope the doxycycline works asap. xx

[BrianTaylor in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Annastatia. I’m sitting here watching Jonathon Ross while listening to my current bagpipes-style breathing, and drinking a cheeky glass of wine with my beautiful wife. Life could be worse but right now I’ve got plenty to smile about. Take care, and thank you for the lovely message xx

[Hidden]

There is always a silver lining ...thankyou for making me smile and reminding me xxx. HOpe you sleep well tonight after your wine and relaxing evening. I'm hooked on Line of Duty and spend half the night watching several episodes. 😀😀😀xx

[BrianTaylor in reply to Hidden]

Love Line of Duty! We haven’t missed the start of the new season have we? 😳 xx

[Hidden]

Don't worry lol ....it was advertised on TV yesterday as due later in the year. I can't wait !!! 😀😀

Hope this finds you 💤💤