Saying hello

[Spoticus]

Hi there I’m new here & have been checking out posts for info , I was diagnosed with copd 9 years ago after I gave up smoking & as it seemed to be under control nothing more was said to me & any breathing problems were put down to angina although tests on my heart never showed a problem. Things seem to kick off in February just as COVID appeared & everything is a bit hit & miss & confused & random phone calls with different doctors are not helping much . Any advice would be welcome....

[sassy59]

Hello Spoticus and welcome to you. My husband Pete has COPD diagnosed over 10 years ago. He also had sarcoidosis and heart problems plus chronic back problems.

You need a good medical team behind you. It’s very difficult at the moment but hopefully you can still get any help you need. Never give up. Take care xxxx

[Spoticus in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Sassy 59 it’s a bit of a minefield isn’t it especially right now , I’m hoping I can get all these problems sorted soon & actually find out what’s wrong. Hope your Husband is well In this cold weather x

[sassy59 in reply to Spoticus]

I hope you get things sorted out soon. My husband is well thank you and staying in the warm. Take care xxxx

[Hacienda]

Welcome Hun, As Carole (Sassy) says it is Difficult at the Moment, You have to keep pushing for a Consultant Appointment, I have found the Best way is through the Secretary, They are Normally very Good. Happy New Year, Fingers crossed you find your way to all the Information & Help you need. xxx C.

[Spoticus in reply to Hacienda]

Thanks hacienda I will try again on Monday , lots of different diagnoses depending on which doctor I get. Going to have to pin someone down xx

[Hacienda in reply to Spoticus]

You'll get there Hun, Be Strong and Be Happy, The Secretary will be your Friend. Much Love. XXX C.

[Walkwalkwalk]

Yes it has been a pretty mixed up year for appointments etc I have a different problem than COPD butI find doing what Hacienda is suggesting to you does work. I always send information for the consultant via his secretary and have had very good responses. I hope that you have a respiratory consultant or that needs to be a priority for you.

Perhaps one of the random doctors that you spoke seemed more approachable and you could follow up there.

I hope you find a way forward.

Grace

[Spoticus in reply to Walkwalkwalk]

Talk about bad timing x

[Ergendl]

Are you able to exercise at all? When do you get breathless?

[Spoticus in reply to Ergendl]

Have just got an exercise bike & only managed 10 minutes at the moment, just doing housework gets me breathless & I space it out a bit . Really crept up on me the last few months although it seemed to start with Sinus problems which is being treated now & a Cough plus breathless . I think it’s a combination of problems and have ended up with 3 different answers , copd , sinus & post nasal drip.

[Ergendl in reply to Spoticus]

It's great that you've started to work on improving your fitness, as that will help your breathlessness over time. When I did the pulmonary rehab course, I found that a lot of my breathlessness was caused by overbreathing . The physio taught me to relax more and not worry about getting breathless, just not to push through it too much but to do as you're doing, have a little rest and then continue. All the best.

[B_Asthma]

The last year, with COVID, I have lost the track of the number of chest infections I have had and I suspect I am on the cusp of another chest infection. I have pushed hard to get another referral to the chest clinic and they have done a chest CT scan, which I am awaiting the results. Like yourself, I suffer SOB and angina. With chest infections, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between chest and heart. My GP has given me another dose of GTN spray, Carbcistine, and in the USA it is called Cardizem. So far, the Carbocistine has help staff-off chest infections and the Cardizem has helped with the SOB and angina. I am waiting for a heart CT at the end of the month. I have had a few stress tests with echos that have not shown much and I suspect the heart CT will not show much either.

[Spoticus in reply to B_Asthma]

That’s the problem isn’t it when they can’t differentiate between the two , seems to take forever & you end up none the wiser . To be honest I’ve not been able to se a doctor it’s all over the phone. Just going to have to muddle through I think till this COVID is over . I haven’t tried the gtn spray yet as the angina has only been treated with aspirin & statins although the doctor has stopped the aspirin at the moment & put me on iron tablets as anaemia showed up on blood tests. Fun & games isn’t it ...

[Snackjack]

I hope that you can find the information that you need. I find that I am always worse in the cold weather so tend to avoid going out when it is really cold like the weather is at present. Do hope that you improve soon. Best Wishes and hopefully a better New Year for us all.

[Spoticus in reply to Snackjack]

I hadn’t noticed , before this year how much the cold & humidity are getting to be uncomfortable. Funny how you get used to things & ignore them . Think I ought to wise up a bit ..

[Izb1]

Hi and welcome to the site Spoticus. I do hope that you get to see somebody soon and a proper diagnosis can be made x

[Spoticus]

Hi Izb 1 I’ve decided to have a word with the Nurse if I can as she did my original spirometer tests & she is very easy to talk to , unfortunately she only works on Wednesdays now . Do like this site, everyone’s positive , friendly & help with advice x

[Nicholatracy]

Welcome to this wonderful forum. Many knowledgeable people here, also many with a great sense of humour. Stay strong 🐞

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum Spoticus.

[Oshgosh]

I’ve been on Carbocysteine forover2 years.It helps then the mucus,so it’s easier to cough up.

I also have a nebuliser,which Use daily I’m using it more at present as mucus is thicker, I suspect it’s te cold weather% I don’t know how you will get one from NHS I i was lent mine after hospital admission. Hope you get some help soon. .

[Spoticus]

Thanks Oshgosh , did you have a cough & breathing problems before you took the Carbocystein . I have been.Looking at a handheld nebuliser on Facebook & wondered if it would be any good for it ..