COPD Pain

[Cats-Dogs]

Hello. I've joined this forum because my brother has COPD in his left lung and lung cancer in his right. He suffers great pain from the COPD and it's severely affecting his quality of life and his outlook in general. The cancer in the other lung is under control and was very luckily picked up from a community scan at Stage 1 where it still is. He has had an operation and radiotherapy on it and it's stable and fine at the moment.

The left lung is the big issue for him. He is in constant pain from what he describes to me as a kind of pulling pain within the lung as though nerves are pulling inside. His GP has suggested that it's a matter for physio but he knows in his heart that it's not that and is something internal within the lung. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how is it being or has been managed and what treatment, if any, have you had?

Thanks so much - awful situation for him.

[sassy59]

Sorry to hear of your brothers lung issues but pleased the cancer is under control. My hubby Pete has COPD but no pain like you describe. I think your brother needs to be seen by a respiratory doctor as needs proper medical attention. Hoping he gets the help he needs. Xxx

[Cats-Dogs in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Sassy you’re right about a respiratory doctor. He’s been trying but has had trouble accessing the right thing, but I’ll see if he can try again. Thanks for taking the time to reply - appreciated.

[peege]

Hi there, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother's poorly lungs.I'm afraid that I know little about copd however, with lung disease we can often develop other niggles within them, something like pleurisy is excruciating. I think I'd advise another gp fir a second opinion. Has he been coughing excessively? With over coughing we can strain the little muscles along the ribs, it's called costochronditis..............I'm not suggesting for one moment this is the issue, I'm not a doctor but it obviously needs investigation. CT scans are good for showing what's going on inside lungs.

If you click on 'About' above you'll find the helpline details, a phone number to call uk office hours and a WhatsApp number to which you could copy and paste your post.

Sorry not much help although I dont think there are nerves in the lungs which is why I'm suggesting a couple of other examples.

Just wish him all the best. P

[O2Trees in reply to peege]

Correct P - there are no nerves in the lungs though there are nerves in the pleura (linings) hence pleurisy which is very painful. Investigation is indeed needed. x

[Cats-Dogs in reply to O2Trees]

Maybe it’s some kind of chronic pleurisy and it’s the nerves in the pleura pulling - I’ll suggest that to him.

[Cats-Dogs in reply to peege]

That’s just brilliant thank you so much for this info - really appreciate it. He’s definitely coughing a lot and maybe it’s as you said, costochondritis. Whatever it is it gives him a lot of discomfort and affects his quality of life. He hasCT scans to check on the situation with the cancer in the other lung but nobody ever mentions the left lung! Thank you very much for your reply.

[Cats-Dogs in reply to peege]

thanks P I’ll investigate those numbers etc - appreciated, thank you

[Mellywelly]

Hi, I have copd but have never heard of it being in one lung. I've always been told it's narrowing of the Airways leading to the lungs. I hope he gets his pain sorted soon chook 👍

[Cats-Dogs in reply to Mellywelly]

Thanks so much Mellywelly - yes weirdly cancer in one lung and COPD in the other - not a great situation really.

[peege in reply to Cats-Dogs]

0300 222 5800 9 - 5, Mon - Fri ××

Oh I forgot, if youre checking/googling chest pain in copd do have a look at the NHS website, it's very informative. P

[Cats-Dogs in reply to peege]

Thanks so much P!

[AsthmaandLung Administrator in reply to peege]

Thanks peege for mentioning the helpline- the number now is 0300 222 5800. Here are the helpline details if you need us.

asthmaandlung.org.uk/about-...

Take care

Helpline Team

[peege in reply to AsthmaandLung]

Ah, I did copy & paste it from under the 'About' section above . Not so helpful of me after all 🙄 (Just double checked & it's still 555 on the page, without clicking the actual link) and thank you for all you do 💐

[Cats-Dogs in reply to peege]

No problem - all fine & thanks Peege!

[Cats-Dogs in reply to AsthmaandLung]

Thanks so much for this phone update - appreciated!

[64girl]

Hi, I have had COPD for 15 years and over the years my chest pain has got worse. I felt often that I was getting fobbed off by Consultants who kept telling me it was not due to COPD. Eventually I was prescribed small doses of Oramorph as and when I need it up to 4 times a day. I have found it does help for the pain and also reduces the panic I sometimes experience . I only tend to use it 1 - 2 times daily.If you Google 'Pain and COPD' there is a wealth of information informing that a high percentage of people with COPD experience pain.

Hope this helps.

[Cats-Dogs in reply to 64girl]

Hello 64 and thank you so much for this. I’ll definitely tell him about Oramorph. He feels fobbed off I know that & has been referred for physiotherapy for pain in his shoulder which he knows it isn’t. I feel kind of helpless & would love to be able to do something to help him. Thank you.

[anng18]

Hi 64girl,

I get a lot of pain on one side of my back. I was told the lung has no pain receptors, but it could be due to the pleura surrounding the lung and also, when breathing using the muscles in the back to over compensate for overinflated diaphragm. It gets particularly bad if I bend down to lift something and if I try and do too much.

I hope this makes sense - it is very painful - a sharp stabbing pain, in one specific area.

[Cats-Dogs in reply to anng18]

That sounds very like what he has too. I’m now thinking it’s the pleura - surprising though that his GP/lung clinic haven’t suggested that. Heat pads sound like a brilliant idea!

[peege in reply to Cats-Dogs]

Just to add (again 🙄) I've had pleurisy three times and fractured ribs twivc - not at the same time - the excruciating pain is very very similar indeed. Last time with the ribs a met a physiotherapist on a dog walk she said to roll up a towel to put under arm on the painful side because its essential to expand the lungs to prevent mucus collecting, (any residual mucus is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria needing antibiotics). She was absolutely right, the rolled up towel method was brilliant. I could inhale, exhale, move, expand lungs without the searing pain. Felt daft but never mind, it worked!

[Cats-Dogs in reply to peege]

Wow that sounds just brilliant & thanks SO much. I’ll definitely tell him that - he can’t get comfortable at all & can’t lie on the left side at all. The mucus definitely builds up too.

Thanks Peegee - you’re a mine of info!

[Cats-Dogs in reply to Cats-Dogs]

Peege not Peege!

[peege in reply to Cats-Dogs]

You're very welcome - we try to help where we can 😜

[Cats-Dogs in reply to peege]

It’s very helpful - he was in a not good way when I saw him on Thursday and I felt helpless

[Cats-Dogs in reply to Cats-Dogs]

This forum and the great advice here is a real help - it’s great to hear others’ experiences & to get such good advice - thank you

[peege in reply to Cats-Dogs]

I completely understand that, my beloved sis has had a massive stroke, I desperately want to be near to love & support her, I'm 130 miles away. Luckily her husband is wonderful but it's difficult not being on hand ××You're right, this is a particularly brilliant forum (actually I don't know many), everyone genuinely wants to help, we've all been there in some way whatever lung disease we have

[anng18]

Hi 64girl,

Just wanted to add - heat pads are really good at reducing the inflammation.

[Patk1]

Welcome to the forum Cats-Dogs.love Yr name.he could ask to go to pulmonary rehab to get fitter & learn more about his condition .i hope he is taking adequate painkillers to manage his pain -he doesnt have to suffer severe pain - without them,pain is restrictive & depressing x

[Cats-Dogs in reply to Patk1]

Thank you Patk1.

Good thinking about pulmonary rehab I’ll tell him - it might help.

He takes prescription codeine and I think it helps though in a bad flare up if he takes a bit more he runs out before the prescription can be renewed. He knows it’s an opioid.

Cats-Dogs! We all have cats in the family and tomorrow my youngest daughter is getting a beautiful puppy. I felt the name was appropriate! Might be raining cats & dogs before we know it too! 🤣🐶🐾🦴😻

[Patk1 in reply to Cats-Dogs]

He should talk to Dr re prescription,they shld b able to advise+ help him .i was brought up with cat+ dog and had one or the other over the years.now i content myself with family's dogsx

[Cats-Dogs in reply to Patk1]

That’s good advice about seeing the GP re the prescription, thank you.

Cats rule….but so do dogs!

🐶🐾🦴😻🤣