Lots of questions today

[challny]

Please bear with me or just ignore. Going through a rough patch, which is not unusual for me. I'm very up and down. Was dxd with emphysema and "some" asthma. I suspect the heavy pollen could be a contributor. Question 1: I have some prednisone pills (prescribed) that I don't normally take. Are they helpful for emphysema? Question 2: How can you tell if it's the emphysema or asthma that is bothering you? I guess that's it. Thanks for any input. I love this site and all the kind and helpful people, and I hope all of your are doing well today.

[sassy59]

I don’t really know the answers challny but Pete takes extra steroids for a COPD exacerbation if he needs to.

I hope you get some good replies soon. Wishing you well. Xxxxxxx

[challny in reply to sassy59]

Thanks, Sassy

[hypercat54]

Hi if you have been prescribed steroids it must be for either an exacerbation or an infection so you need to take them. It is only usually a short course.

I have asthma and copd and it can be very hard to distinguish between the two as many of the symptoms of copd and asthma are very similar. I think when I am wheezing or have a sudden attack when I can't breathe properly for a few minutes it is the asthma. Not all asthmatics wheeze though. x

[challny in reply to hypercat54]

I have been wheezing at night, like my lungs are whistling. It's a regular symphony. My pulmo once told me I didn't need steroids, but when I asked for them again, she wrote a prescription. I rarely use them, but did today. One 10mg. Have no idea if it will help or not. I am well versed in the down side of steroids. I've taken them a few different times for short periods but could never tell any difference.

[Spacecat1 in reply to challny]

Nurse told me the preslidone help with airways have them in in casevmy chest plays up I can take when taking antibiotics. But sometimes i take when chest playing up especially with damp weather and I was told that was fine I am on a low dose.

[janice01 in reply to challny]

No idea if you need to be on them, other than they were prescribed.

Not sure what 10mg would do.....

I'm asthmatic with Bronchiectesis. 32% lung function.

For flare ups l take 40mg until clear of wheeze for 48hrs.

I am NOT suggesting you change your dosage but if you were to call the Asthma help line during the day you will be able to speak to an asthma nurse specialist.

During Feb '18 l developed flu!

Chest really responded badly, needed intravenous antibiotics. They did help BUT was stuck on 40mg steroids for several months! That caused steroid induced diabetes!!

Was advised wouldn't get off steroids due to chronic I'll health and age.... (lm 67).

Well l did get off them, side effects reversed and now back to how was before the flu.

Steroids are life savers but long term they have several nasty side effects.

Asthma nurses at Asthma Assoc were and are a big help to me...

Good luck hope you soon feel better,

Janice x x

[challny in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks, hypercat

[peege]

Hi, I can only help with the asthma side. It does sound like asthma (of course I'm no doctor) with those symptoms at night.

If it is asthma then it isn't being controlled sufficiently and I'd be having a word with the GP or respiratory nurse. If you're I. The U.K. give the help line a call on 03000 030555 during office hours, 9-5 Monday to Friday for some guidance.

I have symptoms like you if I take insufficient preventer inhaler before bed, it's imperative to keep my airways open to prevent an exacerbation (needing steroids) then the inevitable infection (needing steroids and antibiotics).

Hope this helps although I think you should see a medical person, we're all different and it's a massive learning curve to get it right for each of us whatever disease we have. Good luck

ps I don't think that 10mg of Prednisolone would make any difference - what dose was on the prescription?

[skischool]

Beware taking prednisolone for more than that is required to clear an exacerbation.they can do a lot of harm long term,bugger up your adrenal glands and become addictive,yeh you will feel good,your appetite will return,you may even enjoy the sleepless nights and weird dreams but at the end of the day it is a steroid,some people do have to take them long term to control their conditions but that is under close supervision by their consultant/gp,the normal short term course is 30mg daily for a few days then taper over the next couple of days and then offski.

regards Ski's x

[challny in reply to skischool]

Thanks for the reply skischool ... I am aware of the dangers of pred and have not used them much since dx 2 years ago. What I still don't know is do they help with emphysema. I think a GP once told me they don't.

[skischool in reply to challny]

They help in reducing inflammation,particularly during an exacerbation or infection even if you have emphysema that does not have a bronchial or asthmatic element,as far as i am aware and certainly in my case long term they are not given as they do not do anything to alleviate my condition as there is no evidence of continuous inflammation.

Ski's x

[challny in reply to skischool]

In other words they are of no use for general, day-to-day emphysema? I don't really know what an exacerbation is. It's just that sometimes I feel much worse than at other times. Sometimes I feel OK. Very confusing. Thank you, Skis.

[Spacecat1 in reply to challny]

Aren't they supposed to help open the airways

[2greys]

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

[flicky1]

I have emphysema and have prednisolone in my emergency pack. I have not taken any for over a year as I have come to recognise why I sometimes don't feel so well. For example, I always seem to feel unwell around Xmas time, probably due to the weather. The first time I went into a walk-in clinic and was told I was having an exacerbation and to take the prednisolone, which I did, but it didn't seem to make much difference. The following year I took the emergency prednisolone and again I don't think it made any difference and I didn't get any worse. This year I didn't take them and it was much the same.

[barbs47]

Hi excuse my ignorance but what does dxd mean? Thanks Barbs x

[Jollj in reply to barbs47]

Diagnosed i ptessume.

[barbs47 in reply to Jollj]

Thank you. Barbs.

[Jollj]

Hi, skischool has hit the nail on the head, I have COPD and have rescue meds,amoxicillin and prednisolone for when I have an exacerbation,I believe the air sacs in the lungs fill up with phlegm as they get inflamed its the body's way of fighting the inflammation but as you struggle to clear the fluid it becomes infected and turns the green colour we all are familiar with, the prednisolone is to ease the inflammation whilst the amoxicillin is the clear the infection/ bacteria so I believe it is applicable to most other lung complaints under the COPD umbrella. Take care and this forum is the right place to be asking your questions as there is always plenty of good advice from some very knowledgeable caring people.

[Sandyeggo]

I understand and know just how you feel. The steroids wouldn’t be for the emphysema more like the inflammation that has come from an exacerbation. Do take extreme caution if they prescribe steroids along with antibiotics. They have a tendency here in the USA to do so for pneumonia along w/some exacerbation. Last time they gave me that cocktail I left the hospital with a bleeding ulcer that took a whole new load of meds to mend that so I am glad you've educated yourself on how medicines aren’t always good for you over time some do more harm than good. My old neighbor was a holistic medicine guru and showed me how to go to a Chinese herb store and buy things to make a concoction in a big boiling pot and stand over it and breath the steam. It helped ALOT. More so than prescription meds the Dr was giving me. I am sorry you are struggling right now but you’ll get better, I hope soon.