confused

[Davarow]

hello to everybody! First time I’ve posted on any forum.

I had a bout of breathlessness approx 2 years ago, with a chest infection. Had a chest X-ray & was told by Dr I have Copd. Was put on annoro ellipta with blue rescue inhaler. I am 61 years old, a self employed joiner by trade & still working.

I had a ct scan on my heart due to severe pain under my rib, the cardio result showed small hiatus hernia with mild emphysema but arteries, blood flow etc all normal with no evidence of heart disease. Which I am so grateful about. Had my annual Copd review this week, I have been requesting a spirometry/ lung function test for two years now, to no avail. At the review the nurse had my ct scan on her computer screen & she then suggested my Copd could be asthma related & she is changing my inhaler to Trelegy ellipta. My apologies for the long post but I’m confused, is asthma the same as emphysema?

[Troilus]

Hi Davarow. Asthma and copd are both show an obstructive diseases. In asthma it is the airways that are problematic. In copd broadly speaking it is the lungs- in emphysema it is the alveoli. Treatment for both illnesses is similar, in that many asthma people have the same inhaler as those with copd.

The main difference between the two is that asthma responds better to inhalers and oral steroids - it is this response that drs mainly use to distinguish the two. This is used in spirometry to distinguish asthma from copd.

Another difference is that peak flow can change by varying degrees day to day and during the the day. This is why people with asthma are usually advised to take their peak flow to monitor their condition. In copd peak flow does not vary in this way.

(At least this is my understanding of it.)

[Davarow in reply to Troilus]

thank you for your prompt reply Troilus.

[Ern007 in reply to Davarow]

No wonder you are confused. I remember many years ago being given Duovent inhaler as he said I had emphysema listening to my chest - I was referred and had spiro at hospital and the cockpit test - Steroid 8 a day for 3 weeks to see how I tolerated them.

In short you need to know what you have got, how bad or not it is. Good Luck

[sassy59]

Welcome to the forum Davarow. You need to get a proper diagnosis it seems as asthma is not the same as emphysema. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema and some asthma comes under the term COPD. Do get checked again and referred if possible to a respiratory consultant at your hospital. Good luck to you. Xx

[Davarow in reply to sassy59]

Thank you sassy, wow, it’s quicker here than at the surgery. lol.

Apparently, spirometry tests will be back “online” soon according to respiratory nurse.

[sassy59 in reply to Davarow]

🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼take care xxx

[knitter]

Hi and welcome

Spirometry tests weren’t being carried out in my health centre because of Covid …now started them again .

ALUK have a helpline …open again on Monday office hours .

They can help answer some of your queries or point you in the right direction

[Davarow in reply to knitter]

Thank you knitter .

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum. There are lots of knowledgeable people on here.