Just diagnosed with copd gp gave me incruse ellipta 55mg, im 42 female really breathhelss only been on inhaler couple days, its not helping

[BabyBa]

What are your copd symptoms? How long does it take for ellipter to work. Im having pain in middle of my back since using. Can't breath fully out or in always tired. Cant lay on my back. coughing, is copd a death sentance.? How do you cope? Thanks for reading 🙂

[sassy59]

Welcome to this friendly helpful forum BabyBa. I’m carer for my husband Pete who was diagnosed with COPD in 2010. He doesn’t use incruse ellipta but someone else may be able to help with your queries.

COPD is not a death sentence and many live long full lives with it. Eat well and generally look after your well-being and get the best out of your medication. Take care xxx

[peege]

I'm sorry to say starting on a new preventer inhaler isn't instant. If you read the leaflet thoroughly it should tell you how long it takes to kick in then persevere with it. This is all provided you take it correctly - so easy to do when you're starting out & never used one before - possibly3 weeks but the same with all inhalers except the rescue ones.

If in doubt check out the manufacturers website who should have a video demonstration, if not you'll find one on YouTube

[Katinka46]

Welcome to this forum, there are many here with COPD who can offer advice and support. You have had two excellent responses.

Xx

[Oshgosh]

it can take more than a few days for the inhaler to start to work.

Did the doc give you a spacer to help you use your inhaler ?

I can’t lie on my back either.

If you contact the British Lung Foundation,they’ll be able to give you more info.

There’s loads of people who will share their knowledge/experience if you post a question. Take care

[Karenanne61]

Copd is certainly not a death sentence!!! It can be life changing, it can be life limiting but most of us here are managing ok. This is a friendly, funny and informative forum. Many copd members have been living with copd and other lung diseases for many years, some for ever. I credit pulmonary rehab and yoga and pilates with improving my life post diagnosis. Also a good consultant and I'm really lucky to have a supportive husband.

[BabyBa]

Thank you so much for your replys, its all just so new to me,and scary. You are wonderful I need to know more about this, x

[peege in reply to BabyBa]

You could write ' diagnosed copd' in the seach box and lots of of older posts with their replies will come up. Im sure they'll be useful. Good luck - BTW, i dont know much about copd however, 42 seem quite young to be diagnosed with it. P

[Bevvy in reply to peege]

I was only early 40’s when first diagnosed with COPD as well. Am now mid 50’s.

BabyBa it certainly isn’t a death sentence. Is important to take your meds, they can take a while to work and sometimes is a hit and miss affair to discover best medications for YOU. Eat as healthily as possible, exercise as much as you can seems to be key for remaining as well as possible. And try to avoid people with colds, flu and chest infections which can be passed to you and cause flare ups. Finally ask gp to refer you for Pulmonary Rehab course. This is a twice a week course of 2 hours each time for (?) weeks - around 6 I think. Following assessment you spend 1 hr doing individual exercises and 1 hour learning how to live well, with lung condition. The course is overseen by specialist physios or nurses and well worth doing.

[garshe]

COPD is not Terminal but is progressive. You can control how it progresses and slow it down. If you smoke you must give up or will deteriorate. Excercise and ask your Doctor to refer you to a Respiratory Team. They will give you all the advice to manage your condition . Pulmonary Rehab Course is really great as you will meet others with same condition and gain knowledge on how to improve your condition.

I was diagnosed with severe COPD 2010 ,it is scary when first diagnosed,

Whatever you do dont Google your symptoms. You can slow down the progression and even improve. Be Positive . Good luck xxSheila 💕⚘

[Iridescent_2 in reply to garshe]

I'm the opposite. If you Google medical sites there's a wealth of information. But yes one has to be careful. 😊

[garshe in reply to Iridescent_2]

Google told me my life expectancy was 1- 3 yrs. Here I am 12 yrs later and still active. !!!!Any Consultant will advise you not to Google and so will most members on this forum. You have your own opinion and I respect that. Good luck. Sheila.

[Ergendl]

Se if there are any Breathe Easy groups and any Singing for Lung Health groups around where you live. They can give you extra local face to face support as you start your COPD journey.

[discoballs]

I use Relvar Ellipta and it did take a month to settle in. If I don't take it for a few days I can feel it and do get chesty :/

[Lutontown]

Pain in your back sounds like a chest infection or pneumonia to me. Put a sample of sputum into your surgery. Always keep some mucus pots in stock; your surgery will provide.

[Izb1]

Hi BabyBa and welcome to the site. Lots on here with copd that will be able to answer your questions. There is also a helpline that you can ring with queries on 0300 222 5800 x

[anng18]

Hi Baby Ba,

Yes, pain in back can be a chest infection, but I was also told it can be due to scar tissue from previous infections. It could also be a sign that the inhaler is beginning to work. Has your GP given you a rescue inhaler? They are useful to take, before you take the other inhaler. One thing that is difficult, is when you begin to panic it becomes harder to breathe - vicious cycle - then you don't always inhale properly.

Try not to panic - advice above is good - take care.

[JulyAugust]

Hi BabyBa, I haven’t read all the replies so apologies if any repetition.

42 is very young to have COPD. If you smoke you need to quit immediately and don’t vape as that’s just as bad. If you are overweight then lose weight and exercise. You may think you are too breathless to exercise but no exercise will make your lungs worse. Be positive and take onboard all the advice from long term COPD sufferers on this forum.

Sending you lots of virtual hugs x

PS. Your symptoms are identical to mine when I used to smoke. When I gave up smoking the continual cough and back pain disappeared within two months…it was bliss not to have that continual cough any longer plus I can lie on my back now.