My breathing has not been good lately, possibly because of a faulty inhaler, so I went for a COPD review .
My peak flow was very low for me, 290 , so was given forms for blood tests and chest x ray.
The next evening my breathing seemed worse as I was having difficulty drying myself after a shower.
BUT
As soon as I woke the next morning straight away I knew that my breathing was hugely better and has been ever since. It was good as I had my blood test /Xray booked for that morning although it looks like the horse had bolted
Why the sudden change
Written by
Edam
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Sounds like you had an infection or flare up that has gone….. maybe you need to seek medical opinion at an earlier stage because you might need antibiotics and/or steroids? Glad you feeling so much better now.
Im having problems too and mine is related to the high pollen count for one and IBS the other contributor... it feels like my intestines are pushing up under my chest ... So I'm using my Salbutamol and nasal spray for my upper breathing problems Gaviscon for my digestive problems
Has it ever been considered that you may have asthma? I have it and can find there's a big difference some days in how I can breathe. I found a huge change when we went to Dorset on holiday (low pollution) and then my PF dropped again when we came home to Eastbourne (high pollution). I also have COPD and bronchiectasis so have those to factor in, but I really felt that the big change at that time was pollution related.
If this rings any bells with you, perhaps you could ask for a test to see if you have asthma as well.
I have two inhalers to use daily, one for COPD and one for the Asthma. I also have the Ventolin to use as and when needed.
Meanwhile, if you continue to feel well, your breathing is good and your PF is back to normal, I hope it means any infection you may have had has left your body so you'll now be able to put it behind you and carry on.
Sometimes you just can't seem to get through to them, can you!My own GP is brilliant. She listens carefully and lets me finish speaking without butting in and then she puts forward her views and we have a discussion. If she thinks I have a good point, she acts on it. If she disagrees she explains clearly why that is.
However, I unfortunately got a locum this week who did none of those things and I still feel like wringing her neck! It was a complete waste of an appointment and I have gone another week with hardly any voice (it's been getting worse for months) because she wouldn't keep quiet long enough to let me speak. Aaaargh! Have to phone again tomorrow and try and get my own GP.
I'll be interested to know if you find out what's caused the change in your breathing if you ever find out. At least it's for the better and not the other way around.
If your voice has been hoarse or not there for 4 weeks or more the dr should send you to ENT for a camera check. This has happened to me at least 3 times over the years and each time I’ve had the camera even though I argued against it once-I was s told as on inhalers best to get it checked. Take care xx
My own GP is now on holiday but fortunately I got one of other the good GPs today.
No messing about, he said it's gone on far too long and is referring me to ent under the 2 week rule.
He allowed me to tell him about my experience with the locum last week. I said I didn't want to take it forward as a formal complaint but I felt someone in the practice needed to know what had occurred.
He may not do anything with the info, but if there have been any other complaints, I would not be surprised to hear from the practice manager.
This GP is a bit 'old school' and so I am hoping he might have a discrete word with the locum as she may be new to general practice and need a bit of friendly guidance.
If I get her again in future and her attitude is the same, I will make a formal complaint at that time.
Meanwhile, it's all systems go with ent. Fingers crossed there's a simple reason for my voice issue that can be easily resolved.
Thanks for your reply to my post. It's good to know I'm not making a fuss for nothing.
Did they sort out the problem you had following the camera exam?
Nothing sinister but area was very dry. Told to drink more water- as if I don’t drink enough already- and not to cough! Hard when you have asthma and bronchiectasis 🤣. Consultant said he’d be back in touch to see if I’ve improved xx
I must admit, I expect a similar result, but the thing is you never know, do you?
I imagine your cough is just part of you now. Mine's there waiting in the wings for any opportunity to burst forth and the more crowded the place, the more likely it is to happen.
I will let you know what I get told - if I remember, of course!
I’m with MoyB on this one - it certainly sounds like asthma (been a particularly bad year for people who don’t normally suffer so badly). As asthma is reversible, it should show up if you compare your PF before and after a few puffs of Ventolin (or something similar). If you don’t have any, I imagine the asthma nurse at your GP practice could arrange something then, if there is an asthma possibility, the practice could go forward from there (steroid inhaler, spirometry, etc). Unfortunately, as many of us have found, doctors aren’t necessarily proactive and patients very often have to be proactive themselves.
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