advice

[unified]

Hi, I'm new to this site and would appreciate some advice. I was diagnosed with COPD three years ago though I know I had it for a long time before. Think I am stage 3 severe and am really struggling at the moment. I don't get a cough or chest infections but my breathing is really bad and at the moment can hardly move. I suffer a lot with blocked nasal passages for which I finally had an appointment with a specialist and have a nasal spray though to date its not helping much. Felt so bad last weekend that I went to A and E and they gave me three weeks of steroids even though I had taken two lots of emergen cy meds in the previous month. Although I feel a bit better in some ways am still really struggling with my breathing. I feel that most doctors seem to think that people with copd all suffer with chest infections and flem which is not true in my case. Has anyone any ideas or tips to improve matters?

[hypercat54]

Hi it seems like you are having an exacerbation at the moment but without an infection. If you had you would have been given ab's as well.

Steroids are often used to help your breathing and can clear up exacerbations quite nicely. x

[jmsutt]

Hi Unified, For a quick-fix, I find that Walmart's generic for Flonase very effective for reducing sinus inflammation and drainage. My favorite and very effective treatment for clearing mucus from sinuses and lungs is fresh pineapple. Pineapple contains Bromelain, which is an ingredient in many pharmaceutical medications. The fruit closest to the core contains most Bromelain, however it is present throughout the fruit. Hope this helps. J

[garshe]

I use Sterimar Congestion relief. Also Olbas Oil in a humidifier helps with the breathing and clears sinuses. I don't have a cough but I take Mucodyne as this breaks up any phlegm or mucus that you do not cough up.I was diagnosed SEVERE COPD 10yrs ago. Still severe . Sheila.

[katieoxo60]

Hello and welcome to the site. You are right it can be confusing the symptoms of COPD thats why I think it takes lots of tests to confirm & establish the severity. I have COPD without regular infections. So people think I don't have it. My main symptoms are cough and breathing , however when I do get an infection it is severe and last some weeks. Breathing is improved by exercise, your nasal problem could be making your breathing worse too, do you use things to clear the airways. A freind of mine with Asthma used to swear by Dodo tablets, maybe worth a try if they are still available. I find cold remedies improve breathing too the drug in them is similar to one found in some cough medicines. Painkillers with codeine in ie cocodamol relax the airways as does changing your walking pace. Just a few ideas as it is hard to see the GP these days, have you tried any herbal remedies as there are many on the market. Ginger helps breathing and one or two other things. Maybe time to try different ideas and see if it worKs for you. Pulmonary Rehab or local gyms that concentrate on lung function may be another option. Do keep asking for ideas as we on here have many. I have had controlled COPD for ten years now. But last year I had three flare ups without needing to go to the hospital. Sorry this is long but there are many options not all require drugs, I do take three inhalers though as well as other options, so hope you can find a way to improve your breathing soon enjoy your day.

[Superzob]

Oddly enough, I discovered that, if I kept going with my hayfever spray during the winter, it reduced my incessant colds. If you have an asthma component to your COPD, you might find an antihistamine will help with the nasal problems.

[O2Trees]

Loads of ideas here Unified. Here's another: you could try a neti pot. Originally used in ayuvedic medicine I think, and in yoga, it is like a small tea pot with a long narrow spout and you pour sterilized water into it - I think boiled and cooled water would be fine - then pour it into one nostril with your head on one side, then turn your head so it flows out the other nostril. Do it over a basin - it will take a bit of practice to get familiar with it but it may well help.

You can get neti pots online or some pharmacists may have them.

[ffederbompou]

You went to A&E? Did you panic over your condition? Were you frightened? I have good weeks, bad weeks, good day, bad days. No idea what is going to happen. It is a mystery. But I find that if I don't panic, Take deep breaths and take it as it comes it is easier to deal with. COPD is never going to get better, so they say. We all hope it will! But there is a way through every stage of it, so that you can keep active and alive and being part of the human race.

Bit romantic that but I feel for you.

Brian Higgins

[Caspiana]

Hello unified .

I have a lung disease and also had a deviated septum which caused havoc with my sinuses. I would get terribly blocked nose that was aggravated by many things like the weather, dust and cold. It made breathing far worse. It caused me to have sinusitis a condition where they sinuses are so blocked that instead of being filled with air they are filled with fluid that gets infected with germs. I had an operation eventually to correct it and now it's more or less gone . I can't say for sure if you have sinusitis but I think it would be worth having investigated. They would need to run a CT scan of your sinuses to be sure. At least talk to your doctor about the possibility. I know how terribly awful it is. Take care.

Cas xx 🌼🌱☕