budlover

[Budlover]

hi I am 77 mother to one son 32 lives in London 6 years ago had pneumonia my lungs never really recovered. when I get a cold goes straight on my chest and my chest infections are bad My last infection I was actually coughing up blood in my sputum antibiotics and it’s gone. No one as ever suggested COPD I use to smoke 14 till 42 so that’s some years admittedly not more than average 5 a day. I have had 2 chest x-rays in the last 2 months just say clear Anyone any thoughts on this

[Ern007]

Hi, you said "some years not more than 5 a day" I was like that, smoked a lot then not many - I gave up 26 years ago.

At 77 and being a previous smoker, just look after yourself. Always be warm enough. if a cold gets overwhelming an or if you cough up blood, be seen.

I don't know if you have COPD or not, if X Rays clear even if you have, it's probably not a lot to worry about.

Take care, stay warm and away from pollutants.

[Patk1]

Welcome to the forum

[Danielmystar]

Hi chest xray shows clear of infection I don't think copd ever shows up on an xray but if you have breathing problems ask your Dr if you can be tested for copd my copd never showed up on my xrays bur showed infections were gone im not sure how true it is but ive heard copd don't actually show on xrays I've had copd emphysema for 22 years xrays never showed it

[Budlover in reply to Danielmystar]

Thank you for helping I have never felt out of breath No breathing problems Just thick mucus makes me cough uncontrollably and recks my whole body makes me incontinent Feel like could reach for cough mixture but told not to take any Would an inhaler help I always think inhaler to help with breathing???

[Mellywelly]

I would honestly go back for a second opinion, even if it's just to put your mind at rest. See what another gp says. Good luck 👍 😉

[Patk1]

I'd request a ct scan to see what's going on

[Dorris59]

They now say it’s not how many you’ve smoked a day. It’s how long you’ve smoked for. My mother smoked 10 a day for years, but still got COPD. She was being treated for asthma for years until she got a very bad chest infection in 2014 and ended up on HDU where she was diagnosed with COPD. She had also got heart failure because of the strain the COPD put on her heart. I was also a long term smoker and I have issues. I was also exposed to second-hand smoke from both my parents. The nurse at my asthma check told me anyone who’s smoked for over 20 years and has respiratory issues possibly has COPD. My respiratory issues are pretty well controlled now. There are tests you can have to help diagnose COPD, spirometry tests etc. I take N-acetylcisteine NAC and zinc picolonate (not zinc oxide) as soon as I get a virus. Zinc help fight infections, bacterial and viral, though can interfere with antibiotics, so I don’t take them alongside antibiotics. I also take a combination tablet of Vit D3 and K2 through winter months. These all seem to help me clear my chest and prevent it getting worse. I’m less wheezy, but you’d need to do your own research on any contraindications etc. I’d also say eat plenty of fruit and veg, particularly the sulphurs such as broccoli, sprouts and cauliflower. These contain sulforaphane which is good for respiratory issues, but only steam lightly as cooking destroys it. Mustard too is high in sulforaphane and eat healthy. Soups are a great way of increasing veg in your diet. Stir fry’s, Mediterranean roast veg because the new research from ZOE on YouTube, led by Prof Tim Spector, who states to try and aim for 30 different plants, including bean, herbs, spices in your diet because it’s beneficial to your gut microbiome and most of your immune system stems from your gut. Worth looking into .

[Budlover in reply to Dorris59]

Thank you very helpful information One thing baffles me I never feel breathless Walk 3mile round trip to shop carrying sometimes too much back Up hill part of the way back No promblem My nigh issue is the coughing up mucs

[Dorris59 in reply to Budlover]

So it just happens at night? If so, you should mention this to your Dr as there may be a reason.

[Purpled]

was it an ordinary xray you had or a ct scan, I would advise ct.