hi all
I’ve just been diagnosed with emphysema from a CT scan after months of chest infections and antibiotics. I’m trying to get my head around it all so have joined to find out as much as possible about how I can help myself. I currently have a chest infection and on doxycycline. I have started doing huff breathing to help clear my lungs and was wondering if a humidifier would help. Grateful for your thoughts 😊
Hi Cappuccino
I too have COPD and was diagnosed in 2010 after numerous chest infections.
As well as the CT scan have you had a spirometry test? Have you been given inhalers?
I can't answer your question about a humidifier although I'm sure others on here can. It's a bit quieter on here at weekends so you may not get answers til next week.
The asthma and lung website has lots of information on COPD
Hope you get some answers re humidifier.
Annscottie
Hi Annscottie thank you. I’ve not had a spirometry test and it’s not been mentioned. I was only told by my gp this week so I’ll probably go back with a list of questions in a couple of weeks
Hope your chest infection clears up soon.
been lots of questions about humidifiers over the years .
If you tap humidifiers into the search box on this page then ALUK …you may see old replies .
I tried a cheap one years ago , left it on all night …soaking wet floor and walls . I don’t know what happened
Like having a steaming kettle .
I looked at the more expensive ones which claim to kill any bacteria or mould spores which can grow if the tank is not cleaned out properly .didnt buy .
Some people use an ordinary bowl of water placed near a radiator .
Check out the Asthma and Lung Conditions website too , lots of help there
Don’t click on the sponsored site which is first , but the one further down with the little pink cross …easier to access .
ALUK have a helpline too, open again on Monday .
Best wishes .
Welcome to the forum.i use air purifiers,In living room& bedroom - not constantly.theyre just little ones but very effective.my sinuses are so much better whn I use them.they remove viral+ bacterial particles,odours + reduce dust too.Asthma lung uk website has a lot of information+ videos u may find useful.if u have a salbutamol inhaler,using before lung clearance dilates Airways,making it easier to get up
Patk1 thank you that is really helpful. I will have a look
I use air purifiers and bowls of water which can be changed every night/day. I was told be careful of humidifiers as can raise bugs/mold issues. You have to be through with their cleaning. But if my walls were getting damp it might not be a good idea. x
Thanks I will have a look at air purifiers as well.
I'm actually the opposite way - I struggle to breathe when the air is humid.
We use a dehumidifier to bring air in the house back to normal, especially in the bedroom where clothes in our wardrobes get covered in fine white mildew when we don't.
Hanging Moisture traps.Lavender-scented moisture absorbers. Crystals turn to gel as they absorb moisture. They are on offer sometimes, Lakeland, Amazon etc
I use these from time to time and work vey well. I put them into drawers where I have my jumpers and items that like moisture. Good for areas where clothing might be seasonal. or blankets stored away. Can be used in wardrobes too.
My Consultant asked me about my home on my first visit. I bought some humidity monitors cheap from Amazon. I know know if too wet or dry re air. x
Hi Cappucinno. Great advice above. Personally I would avoid using a humidifier and use a Nebuliser with saline if I am dry. I think you would have greater control of the ambient dampness with a Nebuliser. Also, I use a dehumidifier in winter especially in the bathroom when showering and drying laundry. I use a Nebuliser daily.
Yes I use my dehumidifier like that too
Yes its a balance of when to use a humidifier and a dehumidifier. My tumble drier is in a colder part of the house and makes the walls slightly damp. So for that its window open and or a dehumidifier. We had a water leak a few years ago from a well known boiler supplier. A few days before Christmas my hallway walls were soaking. My Dehumidifier was much appricated them. xx
thank you everyone. I really appreciate your help. I’ve got a lot to learn but will read through posts and see what tips I can pick up.
Look around your home for Mould. Since eradicating Black Mould in our bathroom, I've not had any chest infections, apart from a bout of pneumonia and pleurisy. The mould, which covered probably 70% of the bathroom floor, was due to a leak in the bath drain. I had 18 chest infections in 2017, and similar amounts in all years since moving into our present home. Worth looking? Trouble is, it can hide out of sight.
Yes will definitely investigate. Thank you
I can only echo what others have said here, avoid a damp home as much as you can, certainly don't add extra moisture as many household activities create a higher humidity anyway. I'm another one who functions noticeably better with lower humidity. Get a handheld monitor and keep a note of the levels in your house. Most weather forecast apps will tell you the humidity levels in your area from hour to hour for outside activities. When it's higher (80% plus) my dog walks are more difficult. Some days last winter and spring we had humidity of 99% and it felt like I was drowning! So I would tread very carefully regarding moisture in your home.
Hi, and welcome to the forum🙋♀️. I haven't got the same conditions as you (I have Bronchiectasis, Asthma & recurring Aspergillosis) but, like lots of others have said, I have a dehumidifier which really helps keep the damp at bay. The flat I live in is prone to damp but since using the dehumidifier it doesn't get so damp. I find it especially beneficial in the winter months. Take care and hope you chest infection gets better soon. xxx
Thank you 🙏
Hi and welcome , I was diagnosed 2017 by accident had a 2ww for cancer(all clear) but they found 4 holes in the top of my lungs. Now there are few more holes bottom and rear of lungs but at the moment breathing is ok. You should be offered a spirometry but they don’t seem to like giving them instead they review your condition every year (this changes I have found). But do insist that it’s done for your own peace of mind, you should also get an inhaler for use once or twice a day and another for emergency use (as and when) you should be given an action plan telling you what you need to do in various situations also a rescue pack(medication for emergencies) you will also be given a free flu jab and possibly a Covid jab. Everyone acts differently so you need to find what you can do and what you like and need (don’t look for what you can’t do, it will bring you down). I had all this one year after diagnosis as they forgot to update my files and I had a mad few months getting everything in place when they panicked you have to laugh. Then in my case apart from the annual report they wait to see what happens. Hope you find the answers your looking for, best wishes. Kevin
Hi Kevin. Sounds like you’ve been on a journey. I will definitely be asking for spirometry test. I’ve got soprobec inhaler as have asthma. Gp said to increase this to 2 puffs twice a day which is definitely helping. I’ve also got a blue inhaler. I’m also going to ask about a rescue pack although my gp is very good at seeing me quickly.
Thanks for your advice
HelloI have various lung conditions. I purchased a really good dehumidifier as in the winter I dry clothes in my dining room, it has digital info, so I can pop it on when I put washing on my clothes airer. It tells me it should be under 50, with the washing on it starts at around 65ish. It also dries clothes much quicker. A humidifier will introduce moisture into the area which can result in mould spores.
hi Cappuccinolife and welcome. I joined a few years ago and got lots of advice. Earlier this year I was like you although I knew I had COPD but one after the other until I was referred to the respiratory team. I was put on steroids but not 6 tablets daily for 7 days - I had to ween off them on day five. The sudden stop of steroids and frequent using earlier this year I never got over the infection. Also I took a sputum sample because we don’t always need both . It cleared up straight away by reducing the steroids. I’ve also gained greater knowledge about this disease which is really helpful.
For 2 1/2 years I bought a dyson air purifier for the bedroom I think it has helped when I put it on auto but I think the last house I lived in was damp. I’m in a new build now although it didn’t stop the constant chest infections in January.
I hope you find answers I’ve been on the site probably 10 years or more and I got help with most things including medication.
pepparuby1 thank you
Hi... I was advised by my GP to get an Air purifier with a HEPA filter...he said that if I had it in my bedroom it will give me relief while I slept... it certainly did ! Its only a small one it was approx £30 from Amazon and I can get filters to change to keep the air clean ... it has been a godsend when my chest has been tight ...
I also have a dehumidifier which I use in the day time to draw any water from The walls
Hi - sorry to hear your news but its is manageable. I was diagnosed in 2006 so have been living with it some time. I am stage 4 and am on O2 24x7 at 2 lpm. I also have bronchiectasis, congestive heart failure and a couple of other issues. I am under both respiratory and heart specialists. But my most important help comes from the COPD team - Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Diseases. This includes things like asthma and chronic bronchitis. You can get their details from your GP.
So some more suggestions which may or may not be of use:
Have you heard of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services? These are weekly session of hlaf a day of exercises and talks with a group of fellow sufferers. I have been on 12 but am now restricted due to my condition. The COPD can help you.
I am not sure what medication you are on but getting them right and working hard to do so is worthwhile. You should certainly have some inhalers. I have one called Trimbow which is twice a day and intended also to prevent asthma. The other is Salbutamol which is the blue emergency inhaler for relieving constricted airways I(*asthma).
Huff breathing is useful to ease congestion but if you have trouble getting mucus out it may be due to bronchiectasis for which I take carbocisteine - this makes the mucus less sticky and help to clear it.
I strongly urge you to get a spirometry test do0ne. This will tell your clinician and you what you Fully Expanded Volume of your lungs is. FVE is what it is called and it starts out in a fit young person at or close to 100% of maximum volume. I am down to 29%. For normal, fit performance we need to be carrying about 30% spare. Its what I call the run for a bus factor. And I certainly cannot.
Finally oxygen saturation is a key feature. You will have had this taken with an Oximeter on a finger. You can buy these in pharmacists from about £8 up. Opera singers, rugby players etc may well achieve 100% saturation - that is their blood at a peripheral point (furthest from the heart and lungs). But we are at risk of organ damage if it falls to 85 or below. In my state it often does. The key is getting it back up quickly - hence my additional oxygen.
I could go on of course but this is way too much already. I strongly urge you to get in touch with the COPD team, get to meet them, ask about the PRS courses and take charge of your disease. Good luck an d keep in touch via this excellent site.
Richard
Wow thank you for your input to Cappuccinolife very informative - yes PR is a godsend I’ve been once earlier this year very informative too
humidifier
BEST KIND OF Humidifier
Saline humidifier 
Humidifier
Air purifier/humidifier 
