First visit to restpertery clinic

[Gymnastics2]

Hi hoping someone can help.was diagnosed with asthma after being in hospital after bad upper respiratory infection unable to breathe steroids and antibiotics didn't help was given allsorts of test and medication and oxygen told it was severe asthma attack so put on rescue inhaler and reliever inhaler got bad thrush wit first one second didn't work now on fostair and blue inhaler worked great was the end of may when in hospital was told to go for appointment to respiratory clinic waited until Thursday just gone for appointment as had to train up people to use equipment.went to clinic got weighed and height taken blood pressure and oxygen done had 2inch heavy boots on wasn't asked to take them of so obviously not going to be accurate.all ready had x-ray done at hospital before saw doctor looked at x-ray said it was all clear and oxygen levels were fine noted medication I was on asked if I smoked didn't lie said yes half of one here and there wanted to know if had smoked more in past said yes.sent me for a spirometre test told to blow into 3 times knew I didn't do it right first 2 only 3rd one didn't ask me to do it again after taking my inhaler back in see doctor said couldn't understand why I wasn't more breathless as my lungs we're really bad had about 30 percentage lung function and.copd gave me another inhaler to take spiriva respimat and another appointment in clinic in hospital were i live in three months just doesn't seem to add up to me.sorry for the long winded message

[Patk1]

Hopefully inhaler will help now u have correct diagnosis.At least u know now how to blow into spirometry machine,for nxt time.

Lots people here have copd.

The biggest cause is smoking so you would b well advised to stop.

Do keep as active as you r able as it helps lungs and Airways. ALUK have lots of info on website u may find useful.

Do rinse Yr mouth out after using steroid inhalers as can cause thrush.

Ru using a spacer,aerosure plus,with them as they ensure u get more of the inhaler into lungs

[Gymnastics2 in reply to Patk1]

Thanks for replying.but I'm not convinced they did the test correctly that was why I was asking as no symptoms of COPD just asthma symptoms

[Alberta56]

X rays do not show everything that is going on in lungs, and I've wondered how they can get an accurate idea of one's body size when they won't let you take your shoes off. If the new inhaler doesn't work as well as Fostair, get back to them.

[Gymnastics2 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you for your reply.im still on fostair as well as new one.they didn't do second spirometre test after puff on asthma inhaler as there apparently meant to or any other tests apparently meant to take 60 to 90 minutes I was out of there in less than half an hour

[Turnipgirl in reply to Alberta56]

When I was in a and e when I had blood clots in the lungs I had a chest x Ray and it came back as normal but my oxygen levels were low so they sent me for a ct scan and an arterial blood gas test before I got told I had blood clots in the lungs and I was being kept in overnight and I was terrified!

[Gymnastics2 in reply to Turnipgirl]

That wasn't good . hope you are okay now.i know the feeling going in a&e feeling ill and wondered what's coming next attached to allsorts of tubes I was in for 4days lost count of amount of medication I was given alo given warfarin every day incase it was blood clot it is scary

[Alberta56 in reply to Turnipgirl]

That confirms what so many people on this site have said. I'm glad your medics were on the ball, thought they could have tried to reassure you that you were going to be OK. xxx

[Gymnastics2 in reply to Alberta56]

I was on 3 different wards kept moving me in the bed with oxygen tank never saw the same consultant different one every ward 1 of them put my omiprozol in the bin said it was know for lowering sodium levels and mine were very low on my blood test been on it 14 years prescribed another so sorted that just the rest needs sorting out now?

[Alberta56]

I hope they've got it right. It's a drag when one has to keep on at them to get proper treatment.

[Oshgosh]

perhaps try to speak to your GP,I I know that’s easier said than done

[Gymnastics2 in reply to Oshgosh]

I would but getting an appointment is a nightmare and they would probably tell me to wait for the 3months until I go back to the other respiratory clinic in my area.but thanks for suggesting it

[Oshgosh]

I know what its like,trying to get appointments.My GPs have just gone on to the email system,I haven’t dared try it yet.

[Gymnastics2 in reply to Oshgosh]

I know on the phone always 34 in the queue at 8in the morning.worse during COVID had a fractured back done it at work kept saying probably lumbago or muscle.as they weren't giving appointment's out so walking round with it for 6months not knowing it was .at least it's not as bad as then now

[Turnipgirl in reply to Gymnastics2]

It's extremely frustrating isn't it when you aren't very well and have to wait an age to sort out the help you need!

[Troilus]

Hi Gymnastics 2

I was in a similar situation. Initially I was diagnosed with copd (emphysema). I was advised by a doctor who suspected it was asthma to keep a peak flow diary. I asked about medication and he said not to worry as the same meds are broadly used for both conditions. ( I was on Fostair and Braultus, which is the powder version of Spivira Respimat) I attended the hospital clinic with my peak flow chart which was recognised as a typical asthma pattern. They then checked my pulmonary function test results and saw reversibility testing had been done but hadn’t been taken into account at the time.

My advice would be to do the same - keep a peak flow diary. It will be useful to the people in clinic next time you go as they can see at a glance how your breathing has been day to day. It will also help you to monitor your condition.

I would be worry to much that reversibility testing wasn’t done as chances are they will check it again. Spirometry in a hospital clinic in my experience is used to monitor a condition rather than as a diagnostic tool. (Although it is used in GP surgeries for such.)For diagnosis I was given Pulmonary Function Test which cover more measures.

As long as your meds are working for you you can raise any questions you have when you next attend clinic. Your next appointment is likely to be with respiratory nurses who have a bit more time to talk.

[Gymnastics2 in reply to Troilus]

Thank you.very useful information I appreciate all you advise as I was very disappointed as expected more tests to be done and felt like I was just hurried out as quick as possible and was confused that my x-ray was clear my oxygen levels were fine and my chest was clear had had bit of breathing problems in last month but then realised I had been burning strong incense sticks and didn't open windows because of gale force winds as I have swing windows Google about them said can cause it because contained chemicals so have stopped them.will do peak flow and keep a record like you said if asthma will it increase peak flow instead of staying the same