Recently diagnosed with COPD

[Musicqueen49]

Just recently diagnosed with COPD after being treated for Asthma, diagnosed just before the pandemic. The diagnosis was as a result of spirometry test. I have not seen a specialist. I am on a daily inhaler. Reduced my chocolate and dairy intake. Looking forward to receiving advice and sharing experiences.

[Katinka46]

Welcome to this forum. There are many members with COPD. So you will get a lot of help, advice and support. Some people find the diagnosis very unnerving but you seem to be accepting of it. Is there anything specific you want ask about? I know that a lot of people find pulmonary rehabilitation very helpful.

All the best

K x

[Katinka46]

P.S. I have just read your profile. Being somewhat sceptical I have been wondering about your diagnosis. Who made it? COPD is the default position for some doctors, especially GPs. But if you haven’t smoked for 45 years maybe there is another explanation?

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Katinka46]

Thanks K

The Clinical nurse at my doctors diagnosed it. I do have the signs and symptoms for COPD but I was sceptical at first. I produce quite a bit of mucous and have suffered some wheezing(not all the time) and coughing. I seem to be managing it quite well, although I have had a few minor flare ups and my doc has changed my inhaler. I will admit I am still in some shock at the diagnosis, I did not expect it. I will see how I go and at my next review I may ask to see a specialist consultant.

M x

[Patk1 in reply to Musicqueen49]

Welcome to the forum.some people have asthma copd overlap.despite yr smoking having b a long time ago,it would prob be the culprit as damage was done.its a gd job u stopped! U can learn lot about copd by attending pulmonary rehab.if yr unsure of diagnosis,perhaps ask for referral yo respiratory specialist,or a ct scan x

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Patk1]

Thanks Patk1

[Ivanovna]

It really is worth checking this diagnosis - I had some really good advice when I spoke to a very understanding knowledgable woman from the BLF - you can just phone the information/help line x it now appears I do not have COPD - it took 2 years to come to this conclusion though x I was also in shock at the initial diagnosis as I had smoked infrequently and never heavily and I exercise regularly . Just check again - I agree it seems to be diagnosed without real investigation.

[Tempo57 in reply to Ivanovna]

Hi Ivanovo,

The exact same thing happened to me and took over two years to discover that I did not have my doctors diagnosis of COPD. I had two + years of worry, which I bottled up, and that worry probably did me more harm. It turned out that I’d had a bad case of Covid in its early stages, which left me fatigued and coughing for weeks along with SOB and then I went on to suffer with Long Covid hence the diagnosis. I had all the symptoms, hence my worrying. I couldn’t get a Spirometry test until 2022 because of lockdowns and it not been permitted.

I joined this group and have learnt so much from others. A big thank you to all who participate here. T57

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Tempo57]

Thanks Tempo57

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Ivanovna]

Thanks Ivanovna

[Troilus]

I don’t know that I would accept a diagnosis from a clinical nurse - I have met some corkers in my time! The symptoms you describe could be attributed to asthma. Spirometry will give the same profile for asthma and copd. If you have taken your inhalers prior to taking the test you may not have reached the threshold reversibility to distinguish the two conditions.

[Izb1 in reply to Troilus]

I was treated for asthma for years with these symptoms and the treatment never worked, it turned out to be bronchiectasis which showed up on a ct scan x

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Izb1]

Thanks Izb1I may ask for a scan

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Troilus]

Thanks for this useful info Troilus

[Thepainterswife]

I agree with what’s already been said , you seem to have been diagnosed with very little investigation .

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Thepainterswife]

Thanks a lot

[Karenanne61]

First of all, welcome to this friendly, funny and informative forum. I too would query your diagnosis. Lots of factors can 'cause' copd and the appropriate diagnosis, respiratory specialist and treatment can make the world of difference to our quality of life.

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Karenanne61]

Thanks, you have all been brilliant

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum.

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you Alberta

[gardenalan]

hi I have COPD and I never smoked in my life but you will find the inhaler will help you and try and not over due it I find exertion my biggest enemy if I take my time I don’t get so tired good luck xx

[Musicqueen49 in reply to gardenalan]

Thanks for the advice 👍

[Caspiana]

Welcome Musicqueen. 🙂👋

[Hoobs]

Hi , I notice you have mentioned silent reflux. A friend of mine developed a hacking dry cough and breathlessness that mimicked COPD. It turned out to be reflux in the end. I'm not sure what the medication was but once they found out the cause was reflux he was soon back to normal.

[Musicqueen49 in reply to Hoobs]

Thanks for this info. Interesting. The symptoms are similar, but I have had the spirometry test and was diagnosed with COPD. I definitely have silent reflux which was diagnosed years ago by a consultant after all the tests and camera down the throat uhhhh