Copd but very fit

[Biscuits21]

Morning all😘,

I’m brand new to this so here goes, I am still fortunately very fit and active but following a tragic few months with family COVID where we as a family all had the infection and lost my mum to it in the initial stages in April I have been told I have hyperinflated lungs.

I have had right rib aches for ages but my GPs when I queried this treated me as if it was all in my head!

Is it useful to regularly stretch and do long side stretches to ease things?

[sassy59]

Welcome to this very friendly, supportive forum Buscuits21. May I begin by extending my deepest sympathies to you on the loss of your dear mum to this dreadful virus. So much tragedy has been brought about by covid. My heart goes out to you.

Your GP should be far more sympathetic and I would go back to him and suggest he takes things more seriously. I cannot advise you to do stretches as I’m not qualified to do that, nobody on here is but your GP needs to be more proactive in ensuring you get the best possible care.

I wish you and your family well and am thinking of you all. Take care xxxxx

[Hidden]

Good Morning Biscuits21 and welcome here.

So sorry to hear of your family Covid experiences and for the loss of your Mum.

Regarding your query on stretching exercises, probably referral to a PR course through your GP would be useful, if they are running them during the pandemic, I guess it depends on the risk area you are living in.

The other thing you could do if your symptoms persist is ask your doctor for referral to a physiotherapist who I am sure will give you exercises to do. Although probably it would be useful to have the area xrayed.

No one here can really advise what is safe for you to do, but you could take a look on the BLF website for stretching ideas and if you do them stop if when you feel pain, be really slow and cautious with the movement, do it with real awareness of what is taking place.

blf.org.uk/search/site/Exer...

Alternitively you could try beginners qi gong on you tube, with qigong you only ever do 70% of your capacity, and if one side is restricted more than the other, you only do the same on both sides, favouring the restricted side.

I will post a beginners qigong exercise separately and will update here.

Here is the link to the qigong video post Biscuit, I hope it helps you:

healthunlocked.com/blf/post...

.

[Biscuits21 in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for your lovely message! It’s good to know others are out there and there’s more advice than just the GP’s who have been super but...

I have been in regular contact with them since our Covid trauma and I guess because I look so fit which is great, they eventually sent me for the X-ray diagnosing hyper inflated lungs Tho thankfully all clear of anything else and told to stay fit! Ive now been trialling a daily inhaler which I’m not sure its making any difference

I’m an NHS worker in the acute medicine area so I think they either think I know it all or its all in my head.

As one of them said this Covid has no rules and we’re living through history so I’m supposed to be ok with that.

You take good care xx

[Hidden in reply to Biscuits21]

Hope things improve for you Biscuits, take good care too. I like qigong, it certainly does help me.

[knitter]

Sending condolences and sympathy and welcome .

I was diagnosed with hyper inflated lungs after contracting pneumonia , and suffered from sore ribs .

The BLF has a helpline open to people who live in the UK and open during office hours .

You can contact them through email on their website or ring 03000 030 555.

Best wishes .

[Biscuits21 in reply to knitter]

Many thanks for your advice x, I might just do that

Kindest regards xx

[Biscuits21]

Many thanks for that its much appreciated x

[hypercat54 in reply to Biscuits21]

I was told by a medical professional that copd can cause lungs to increase in size and that it's nothing to worry about.

I am very sorry to hear about your beloved mum. Sending condolences.

[Biscuits21 in reply to Biscuits21]

Many thanks for your lovely message, its very reassuring I hope alls well with you

Kindest regards xx

[Gingeros]

Warm welcome to you.

Sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts are with you and your family.

[Kristicats]

Hi Biscuit21

Sorry to hear of your tragic loss and that the whole family has been struck by this nasty virus. Can you speak to another Dr?

It’s very difficult to get any attention or referrals during this covid. So I hope you can talk to someone who is willing to help you. Did you get an x ray?

BLF helpline may have some advice and information re hyper-inflated lungs.

Hope it eases soon.

[Hidden]

Welcome Biscuits21. Deepest sympathies to you and family on the loss of your mum. You have all been through so much.

Regarding your Gp I also think you should speak to him again. You have the right to a service which will provide you with the care and information you need at this time.

Good luck My thoughts are with you all

Sarah x

[Biscuits21 in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for your lovely message Sarah, it’s lovely to know there’s some lovely people like you with some good advice because I think the GP’s are so focussed on Covid they’re not passing on the necessary advice and care in other area’s.

As I’m a health worker in acute medicine I think they think I’m able to take care of myself or know what I’m doing with this.

I hope alls well with you. Again many thanks

Sue x

[Hidden in reply to Biscuits21]

Hi Sue,

I really hope your doctor pays attention to you. Make a list of the questions you need answers to. I say this as it is maybe something I should have tried myself. Then put them to your doctor

I’ve found this site to be really beneficial , I’ve spoken to my doctor this morning to see if some of them may be of benefit, so prior to practising anything he’s setting up full health care check, ie, X-ray bloods, Spirometry etc. I’m seriously overdue with a lot ! But I take full blame .

Wishing you all the very best

Sarah xx

[HungryHufflepuff]

Hello and welcome 😊

Im so sorry to know about the loss of your mum. My condolences to you and your family .

[Timepiece]

Hello to you. . . . . Sorry to here of your sad loss my heart goes out to you all⏱

[Lemon7]

Hello, welcome. So sorry to hear of loss of your mum. What an awful time this pandemic has been for so many people. Best wishes to you and your family.

[Patsy164]

Welcome Biscuits so sorry to hear about the loss of your mum. Condolences to you and your family. Xx

[Ergendl]

Welcome to the site. So sorry to hear about your mum and the problems Covid has caused your family. Virtual (((hugs))).

[Alberta56]

Condolences and welcome to this lovely site, Biscuit. Keep as fit as long as you can and pester that GP to refer you to someone who can give you sensible advice on your ribs. Alberta

[Biscuits21 in reply to Alberta56]

Hi Alberta56

Many thanks for your advice and condolences. Yes its been a very difficult time.

My GP’s have been very supportive with the COVID but because I’m an Acute services NHS worker I think they think I have all the answers myself and are putting things down to anxiety following my ‘long Covid’ experiences.

I have been given a Braltus inhaler but to be honest its not really making any difference

I hope you are well x

[Alberta56]

Hi, Biscuits. I think 'They' assume people know things they can't possibly know. Though, contrariwise, health professionals sometimes display an ignorance about bronchiectasis which makes me wish they would come to this forum.

During my last bout I was given an Aerobika device by the pulmonary nurse team to help bring up phlegm. It's magic, for me at least. They 're magic too.

[Izb1]

Hi Biscuits21 and welcome to the site. So sorry to hear of the loss of your mum x