I have just had a message from my GP's surgery, asking me to fill in a review of my 'COPD'. The problem is that I have not been diagnosed with COPD. I am waiting for a spirometry test to see whether or not I have COPD.
I was just wondering if this 'review' was a precursor to a spirometry test (I've been waiting for five months for the test), or if the GP thinks given my age (early sixties), breathlessness, Xray (pulmonary hyperinflation), and previous history of smoking (I stopped years ago, but I smoked heavily for 25 years) it is more than likely that I have COPD.
I also have another little question. I may sound stupid, but I am expecting to have a CT scan on my pancreas. If the scan comes before any spirometry test, could I ask them to scan my chest as well to see if there is anything amiss with my lungs? (Now I have seen this question in writing, it looks even more stupid, but I will post it anyway).
Thank you
Written by
d0ttysslave
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I really can't say why you have been sent a questionnaire but I doubt very much that you will be able to have a chest CT at the same time as your pancreatic scan.
Hi,my diagnosis was bronchiectasis to start with ,this was after a series of 8 chest infections ,had c.t scan,lung function tests ,blood work and x-ray ..later a new lung consultant changed my diagnosis to "think" COPD due to reading I'd smoked for over 30 years ....no new scans ...yet another new consultant, "think" you have asthma and copd,after numerous inhalers ,medications and steriod sprays ,i thought i was dying ,couldnt even manage to walk up 12 stairs without stopping twice . Yet another new consultant appointment, i decided to stop all lung medication as i felt so ill . Two weeks later, walked into appointment and told her,not taking anymore meds till i have a direct diagnosis and not an "i think" ...had full c.t scan ,lung function test,bloods and again x-rays ....results NO sign of anything on my lungs ...nothing . .this is after over 10 years of copd diagnosis. New consultant referred me to ENT ,after a camera up my nose and down the back of my throat .... they saw secretions dripping ... (from scar tissue left from an opp 40 years ago ) down into my lungs ,hence chest infections . Im now under ENT waiting to see a consultant. I do not nor ever have had COPD . Please ask for a chest c.t scan ,lung function test and bloods ...DO NOT stop any medications, i now realise just how dangerous that can be . Please never be satified with a "think" ,this is your life ,your future... wish you love and luck xx for d0ttysslave
I would contact gp surgery and ask for appointment with gp. I think your questions are very reasonable and sensible under your circumstances. Like you say, you have not been diagnose with COPD and looking at someone’s life style and age are not how COPD is diagnosed!
Unfortunately the scan re pancreas can’t be also used at same time for chest unless gp specifically asks for it. It would make sense (especially as few gp surgeries are doing lung function tests these days) but often NHS doesn’t follow what is sensible!! Again your gp needs to be spoken to.
They usually call the annual asthma/lung review " copd review".maybe just do the review based on yr experience of it.re yr breathlessness,have u stopped vaping yet? It may well be adding to yr problem - it can actually cause lung disease
Thank you everyone. I think you may be correct @Patk1, this could be an annual review, but it has prompted me to contact the GP via their online tool to ask how long I might wait for the spirometry. I don't vape. I tried it once or twice, but it really made me feel ill.
Hello d0ttysslave, thats a few things to ponder in your post. Not all doctors do questionaires but times are changing, at present you seem not to have been diagnosed but as you say maybe your surgery is prempting a diagnosis confirmation. Chest Xrays do not normally confirm COPD but rule out other causes of your symptoms. In some areas they have specific multi clinics that do all these things in one visit, i.e glenfield hospital at Leicester. A scan on your pancreas is totally different to a chest Xray. Earlier this year I had an Xray on a broken foot and as I had a routine chest Xray due she asked if I would let her do the chest Xray at the same time to save returning to clinic as due to foot injury I would require an ambulance to come back. Your spirometry test should decide what is causing the breathing problem. If COPD it is then usual to attend for reveiw once a year either with a nurse at surgery or hospital clinic . For now I would wait till you have a more definate diagnosis as even treatment for COPD has changed in recent years. once you have a diagnosis its upto your surgery to discuss a care plan of your medical needs. Hope this helps and good luck with your tests.
Once again, thank you for these replies. I have left a note on the online consultation tool for the GP's surgery. I will follow this up with a call later in the week.
I have filled in the questionnaire. Even if it is a routine 'review', it may help to flag up the fact that I still experience breathlessness and so on.
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Recent COPD diagnosis
Moderate COPD longevity.
I'm confused, copd!? can you help please?
