Im clear .

[nanasharp8]

After a series of 8 chest infections i was finally sent to hospital to see a lung consultant ,c.t scans ,bloods ,exrays diagnosis...bronchiectasis. After 6 months got called into see another consultant at a different hospital . Tells me because i used to smoke he thinks ive COPD..Thinks ....no more scans tests or anything so i argued his diagnosis, told me he held a review where other consultants agreed ,after numerous medications and inhalers and 3maybe 4 years later ,yet another consultant...."think " you have asthma and COPD ...more medications ,new inhalers ,steroids ....saw her every 6 months ,told her i was feeling unwell and was she sure i actually had COPD, yes ,she says ,you had a scan and it says so ...NO ,i had a heart scan not lung ...she wouldnt agree ,anyways ,2 years later ,after covid lockdown ,i was now struggling to get up the stairs ,my breathing was awful ,could hardly speak ,felt like i was dying ...decided ,im done ,not taking anymore inhalers or meds ,would NOT recommend anyone else try this ,knocked me about really bad ,but 2 wks later ,was feeling better ,appointment came through to see yet another consultant. What medications are you taking ...nothing ,then proceeded to tell her,untill someone says "this IS whats wrong instead of we THINK ,im not taking anything ......ct scan ,lung function test,bloods ,xrays .... CLEAR ..i dont have anything on my chest ,my lungs are clear . She referred me to ENT ,went 2 days ago ,had a camera up my nose and down into the back of my throat ,turns out ive scar tissue from an opp i had 40 yrs ago ,i watched as ..secretions dripped from this one place ,they said that shouldn't be there and that the secretions were dripping into my lungs ..i cried ,this was the cause of my chest infections and coughs . Waiting now to see a throat consultant. Forever grateful to my new lung consultant, who actually listened . Please never except "THINK" as a diagnosis, it isnt and if your not happy ,then ask to see another consultant,its your right ... 20 years of my life lost ...im now 65 and i dont have COPD . Love and luck to you all and please ,never just stop taking medications, its dangerous. ❤️ xx

[Cloudancer]

Golly what a journey you have been on.

Am so pleased that you found a consultant who listened and found out the cause of your problem Thats great news.

Totally agree with your note not to stop prescribed medicines unless under medical supervision.

Having had adrenal crisis through no fault of my own will confirm its most unpleasant.

Looking forward to hearing of you continuing to improve .

[nanasharp8 in reply to Cloudancer]

Thank you Cloudancer ❣️Am glad you agree ,it can be a very dangerous thing to do ,i couldnt emphasise enough the dangers of just stopping your medications. The uncertainty and fear i lived for years ,has gone,i feel free ,although diagnosis is unknown ,i know im finally on the right track ❣️Years wasted has to become a memory ,one i chose not to dwell on. . .that said emotions are pretty high as its only been a few days but my mental health is better than its been for years ,physical health is improving daily despite still having original symptoms, im no longer suffering side effects from medications i never needed . Will definitely keep you informed of this new adventure to wellness ❤️ Thank you for your support , am wishing you wellness and happiness ..always xx

[helenlw7]

I’m so glad you are now getting answers not thoughts. My experience is all good with my 4 consultants, but I have ready many accounts from patients, who’s drs have listened to them, really listened. I look forward to hearing positive news from your new throat consultant.

I agree that you should never stop medication without medical advice.

[nanasharp8 in reply to helenlw7]

Helen ,it does my heart good to hear that you got the treatment you deserved and needed straight off ,i really wish the same applied to everyone ❣️ There are many many great Doctors out there who dont get the credit they deserve ...im also under orthopaedic consultants who i truly could not speak high enough of . I feel we need to be bolder with some Doctors and just say when we dont agree, question more and make sure we're listened to ❤️ Thank you for your positive comment. Wishing you wellness and happiness ...always x

[helenlw7 in reply to nanasharp8]

We have a separate orthopaedic hospital here, and I’m seen in the knee and the ankle departments. The drs in the ankle department are lovely and can’t do enough for the patient in my experience. Not the same with the knee consultant I saw I. 2018! He took one look at my list of meds and told me that the knee replacement that I needed wouldn’t be carried out until I was completely off steroids. I explained that I was steroid dependent and I wouldn’t be able to breath if I stopped them, and he discharged me there and then!

[nanasharp8 in reply to helenlw7]

Oh no ,thats awful ...am so sorry you've been treated so badly ,if i were you id put in a complaint ,then ask to be referred to a different consultant, maybe at a different hospital ? Im so lucky where i am ,we have the best orthopaedic hospital in the country,its also part of a military and teaching hospital . Im under spinal ,knee, foot and hand consultants oh and physio department 😅 sound like im falling to bits ...ive osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis +++and the list goes on 🙄 Please ask to see another consultant, i know how painful knees can be . Good luck 🤞 xx❤️

[Maverick77]

Well done u nanasharp8😉great result even if it did take forever to get someone to listen to u💝

[nanasharp8 in reply to Maverick77]

Thank you Maverick77,my motto now is ... "never just except " if your not happy ,say so . We've one shot at this life ,time is just to precious to waste . My life has just restarted ,im 66 in a few days ,im taking 4 of my grandchildren away for a holiday and looking forward to every second of it ...yes my future is uncertain but ,a huge weight has been lifed and im loving every second ❤️ Thank you for your support ,i wish you health and happiness, always x

[Flyingapples]

what an awful experience for you . Mine was similar although not as prolonged and in reverse. I too had many chest infections and pleurisy and after 2/3 years of back and forth to the doctors they sent me for the camera down as suggested it was nasal drip . Fortunately the ent consultant said you need a chest specialist who subsequently diagnosed Bronchiectasis it took 4 years in all and I was diagnosed just before my 50 th birthday. . I manage it reasonably well now although covid hadn’t helped as my chest infections have become more frequent and much worse . Glad you eventually had a diagnosis must’ve been very frustrating for you .

[nanasharp8 in reply to Flyingapples]

Am sorry to hear that on top of everything, you had covid ,must have been awful ,ive heard when you've already a weakness in your lungs it takes longer to shift it,hoping your soon under control again. ENT said something that truly resonated with me ,she said "if doctors treated a patient as a whole instead of just focusing on one part,they would find the real problem much quicker" that made sence . Wishing you wellness and love ❤️ Thank you for sharing also your support xx

[Mooka]

so sorry you had to go through all this. I’ve seen some numpties in my time. Happily I now have a great team looking after me. Like you say an awful lot of years wasted. 🤗

[nanasharp8 in reply to Mooka]

Hello Mooka, numpties is a brilliant word ,love it 😅😅 Im trying really hard not to get angry ,ive nowhere to focus it ,so ive decided to restart my life with a new attitude... Life is too short to fill it with anger ,ive 8 grandchildren who lost their Nana for too many years ,well im back ,taking 4 away for half term and looking forward to every second . Since stopping medications, im down around 4st ,my mental health has improved along with my physical. Still have more hospital visits ahead but at least no more not knowing . Am really pleased your being well looked after, trust in your team leads to a healthier you ❣️sending you many wishes for wellness and happiness ,thanks for sharing and your support ❤️ xx

[Mooka]

You go girl - make up for those lost years. Thank you for your good wishes x

[nanasharp8 in reply to Mooka]

😅😅😅😅 been many a year since ive been called "girl" ..love it ,thank you Mooka for bringing such a huge smile 😊 xx

[Morrison10]

Reading your problems, wrong medics etc, horrifies me. Glad you’re now getting proper care, good luck.

[nanasharp8 in reply to Morrison10]

Thank you Morrison , thinking of making a complaint ...not for me but in the hopes no-one else has to go through such a catalogue of wrongs ,they need to realise the true inpact they have on our lives ,these Doctors hopefully are in the minority but, i also guess i should have shouted earlier and louder ,so if nothing else ,i hope people will learn from my mistakes and speak up for themselves . Thank you for your support , wishing you health and happiness ❣️ xx

[Hobbledehoy]

Congratulations nanasharp8, you certainly had the courage of your convictions. It could have been quite dangerous - SO glad it came out right for you. My swallow doesn’t feel quite smooth & I have wondered if I’ve damaged the tissue somehow through drinking scalding tea for a long time. Do let us know how you go on. All the best, honey.

[nanasharp8 in reply to Hobbledehoy]

Thank you Hobledehoy for your lovely comments ,not sure i felt very brave though ,think it was more ,feeling so ill i had to do something....change had to happen and fast .Your having throat problems too ,please ask to have it checked out ,it will start as a thought, then become a niggle ,then an obsession . Its a 10 min call (if your lucky 😉) that could possibly give you peace of mind. I will give you an update ,soon as i have one . . And youll give me yours 🤔👍 Good luck ,hope youll soon perk up and get that throat looked at ...please 😊 we can compare notes on next update🤔 wishing you wellness and happiness xx❣️