Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who replied to my previous post about my partner being diagnosed with emphysema.
I spoke to a wonderful specialist nurse called Liz over the phone yesterday who reaffirmed a lot of what had been said.
We spoke to his GP over the phone this morning and he now has a salbutamol inhaler as well, which he used this afternoon. He thought it helped, which I'm pleased about because his GP said it might not.
I also managed to get him a referral to pulmonary rehabilitation, although his GP warned we might not hear anything for six weeks due to high demand. At least the wheels are in motion.
She also doesn't think he has heart failure. She thinks it was something the hospital was considering but, based on the echocardiogram saying left ventricle function doesn't seem significantly impaired, she thinks it can be disregarded. She said to mention it when we go for his lung function test in a few weeks, which I'll be sure to do.
My partner still isn't doing much exercise but he is getting up and going downstairs every day now. Given he struggles a bit with stairs, it's progress. Hopefully pulmonary rehab and the new inhaler will help further.
Thank you all again for all your help so far!
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Casablanca42
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Excellent Casablanca42 - great progress, and well done you! Let us know how he goes on - Im sure you will see more improvement as his muscles become stronger. Take care
That’s a good start. Recuperation takes a while, longer than you’d think, and getting back to fitness will need some more time. And don’t forget to look after yourself too whilst you’re being caring and supportive! Good luck!
It's good to hear there is progress at last. Going up and down the stairs is good exercise, even if you have to take it slowly, very slowly remembering how it was when I was ill, puffing and panting and hanging on to the bannisters. It will get better- tell your husband. I hope the Salbutamol will help. Is it proper Ventolin? or one of the not so good generics which the NHS would like us to use? The propellants in generics don't work so well. Well done for getting things moving. Best wishes to bot of you.
It was his GP's suggestion. We're giving his Ellipta inhaler a couple more weeks to 'kick in' before deciding whether or not to change it. He'll have done his lung function tests by then too so we should know a bit more. For now the salbutamol is definitely helping him in an afternoon when he feels the Ellipta one has worn off.
So glad to hear things are improving and the fact he is now going downstairs each day is a huge improvement. He cam always use his inhaler before attempting the stairs particularly if going upstairs, and should stop for a minute or two to get his breath back if needed. I really hope all goes well for you both, best wishes Ruth
Thanks, Ruth. He's been coming downstairs for lunch and spending a couple of hours in the living room before going back to bed. He used his inhaler before going downstairs yesterday, and after coming back upstairs today. I'm just glad it's helping.
Oh that is wonderful and so encouraging for you surely? I really hope he continues to improve and if he gets onto the pulmonary course then by the end you will both see a really good improvement. Really wish you well, best wishes Ruth
That is marvellous I hope he enjoys and learns from it, and if he is a bit worried about going you should be able to go with him, my partner always came with me. Good Luck x
Understandably your partner was in shock, and probably felt listless, now with this good news he should improve day by day. Perhaps a short walk up and down the road near your home, say five minutes would b the start of something good, eventually going a little further, as time goes by, no pressure put on him.
Hi, yes, once he's built some strength up that will be the goal, a short walk around the block, but at the moment that would be too much for him. He doesn't like exercise at the best of times!
Good news. Stairs are my nemesis! There is a 'correct' way to breathe which helps but I can never remember it and which ever way I try I still struggle.
Oh me too! Our daughter has a long garden and I keep dropping hints about them building a bungalow at the bottom for us! 🤣 Their garden backs onto a cemetery though so maybe a bit too close for comfort!
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My dad has IPF 😔
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Update - phone consultation today
A little bit of help please
