I'm back again folks! ....this morning extremely breathless ...very jittery , oxygen levels around 93. Started the Prednisone ...took the clarithomycin and Metronidazole... feeling pretty grotty to be honest. Have started to cough up some mucus... Not much ,but thick and coloured. Do I just persevere with all this plus blue inhaler. Would they do anything more if I went to a&e....concerned because of heart issues as well. Any advice gratefully received..
Now for the steroids : I'm back again... - Lung Conditions C...
Now for the steroids
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HerLadyship
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If you can tolerate a and e I would go just to put your mind at rest if nothing else. All your going to do is worry otherwise. Good luck 😉
Thank you Mellywelly....at the minute there's a 460 minute wait at our nearest hospital...35 miles away. I really don't know what to do...sit there all night probably...and possibly be told keep taking the meds...or stay home and hope things improve
That's exactly what I'm doing at the moment until my appointment Tuesday. Sitting here and hoping for the best. I wish you good luck chook and keep posting even if it's just to chat. Have you got a nhs number to ring? Not sure where you are from but theres usually a place you can ring and chat to someone if your worried?
Hi Mellywelly... I'm still at home here in Northern Ireland.... hubby is watching TV and doesn't look like he wants a hospital run . To be fair, it's a horrible evening here. Don't know if any other posters have a partner who doesn't quite get the situation....in his book if you look ok ..you are ok! If there's something he can't actually see the answer is eat something,drink something or go to bed!!!! Not cut out for nursing 🤣🤣🤣. How are you doing yourself Mellywelly? Waiting patiently for your appointment? It's good to chat!
It is good to chat as my partner is exactly the same, doesn't get it, won't read up about it and when I had a second virus not once asked me how I was. It's so upsetting but getting used to it now. Even asked me if I wanted to go Christmas shopping, nearly laughed in his face. Good to get it off your chest. We soldier on don't we 🤣🤣🤣
Oh my goodness Mellywelly looks like we're both in the same boat!!! Yes it's very upsetting when they show so little interest,like you I'm getting used to it!!! The very idea of Christmas shopping fills me with horror! 🤣 ...I just wouldn' As ift be able.While I support the idea of helping local business I'm afraid this year presents and groceries will have to be delivered!!!! Unless, of course hubby would like to do the lot!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣As if that was going to happen!!!! You're so right... it's good to get it off your chest... effective stress reliever!!! You take care of yourself!!!
You too chook 😉
Supportive hugs to you Mells 🤗
I’m another one - mine exists in something of a bubble and doesn’t quite get it, nor my limitations.
I’m pretty self-sufficient, and luckily have some good friends to share things with 🙄
Pretty par for the course in my small world 🤷♀️
Hi beech... isn't it a real help to have good friends that you can share with? I'm pretty lucky too.Sometimes , letting off steam is such a tonic!!!!!
I agree with Mellywelly. A&E is the best place to go to be checked over and reassured.
Thanks Helen w7 .... I'll probably end up going there alright.. fingers 🤞 that everything turns out ok
Let us know how you get on.
I will keep you posted.....
Hi Helen w7... I'm still home ...feeling weak but maybe not so breathless. I'm going to check BP oxygen etc and see how things go this morning.
Hello Her Ladyship, I had been in the same position as you are now & I phoned 111 & I was advised by the consultant to finish the course of prednisolone + 14 day course of antibiotics, I took his sound advice & I can honestly say that as the days went on I started to feel much better, & when the course finished I was absolutely fine again, sometimes you must complete the course before you are feeling really well again,the main thing is even if you are feeling better throughout the course you MUST complete the full course, my advice to you Her Ladyship is give the medication a chance, I think it would be a real shame travelling all that distance & then having to wait all that time in A&E just to be advised to take your course of medication.. If you felt much worse as the days went on you could always call 999 for an ambulance & you would be taken right away on arrival at hospital, saving you the long journey & worse still the dreadful wait in A&E.. You could always phone 111, 24 hour helpline NOW & explain your situation to them & they will certainly advise you the Best & Correct action to take, they will either ask you to come tonight or send a doctor out to examine you if you are unable to travel, if you require to be hospitalised they will arrange for an an ambulance for you..( I don't know if 111 is the code for 24 hour helpline where you are Her Ladyship, you can always ask the operator or Google) ..I wish you well & hope that you feel much better soon..With love,💘& God bless you always.. Primrose 123..xx
Hi Primrose 123 Thank you for advice... I suspected that if I went to a&E that they would tell me to keep going with the medication and if things deteriorated significantly to go back to them or call for an ambulance. I know we'd probably sit there all night ... waiting times are horrendous!Sooo .....I decided to phone our "Out of Hours"and was told exactly that!!! I have no appetite but got a cup of tea and some toast and headed for bed. Finding it difficult to sleep so hereI am!!!! Hopefully,things improve as time goes on 🤞
Hoping you are keeping well ...best wishes for good health
yes, you will make yourself worse by going to a and e and waiting that long. Know how you feel though, you get very anxious and that makes the condition worse.
HiXlizixx ...thank you for your reply... I didn't go to a&E ...just kept taking the meds and doing breathing exercises.Anxiety is a problem for me due to the 2 really scary episodes which landed me in hospital.Im doing my best to overcome it with the breathing and mindfulness
Hi HerLadyship, just a little text message to ask you how are you feeling now? I sincerely hope that there is much improvement in your breathing.. Take care,💘 with love, & God bless. xx Primrose 123.. (Maria)..
Hi primrose 123 ...just finished 2nd day of Doxycycline now....doc said not to take the steroids this time. Feeling better than last week thank goodness. Still a way to go ...after all the antibiotics etc last week my poor stomach is pretty sensitive!! Hopefully this antibiotic does the job and I can concentrate on building myself back up. Hope you're doing okay...keeping warm and safe with this weather... between snow rain and wind we have to be careful xx
Hello again HerLadyship, I am happy👍 to know that there is an improvement from last week as to how you are feeling ,once your doxycycline course has finished you should start feeling much better,perhaps it may take a little while longer to get back to your usual self again,as taking all the steroids & antibiotics does take it out on us, but the mere fact that you are feeling better is proof that the medication 👍is certainly doing the job for you... I remember that when I was first prescribed doxycycline,I too suffered from some stomach upsets HerLadyship, a few weeks later I was out for lunch with my friend & her lovely sister who is a doctor,& she gave me some very good tips & excellent advice HerLadyship regarding the tummy upsets, she said first & foremost you' Must' drink plenty of water & liquids & also limit your caffeine intake, as I am a real "tea jenny" I wondered, how on earth will I manage without my many cuppa's throughout the day, she also advised if you can manage, make yourself a little bowl of porage in the morning which is excellent & very nutritional & not too heavy on the stomach, toast is very good too,she then said which I have to say HerLadyship ,has worked wonders for me,get yourself a carton of 'ALPRO NATURAL YOGHURT ' which is an excellent source of nutrition & puts a Lining on your stomach, I got the yoghurt, & it is absolutely delicious & I add a few blueberries with it too,you should definitely try that HerLadyship it will certainly help your stomach greatly.. I find that by having a nice cup of bovril at lunchtime, which ☕ apart from heating you up in this cold weather, I do not have the same longing for so much tea which curtails my caffeine intake, I also make a lovely pot of homemade soup which is a massive asset in this dreadfully, bitter cold weather not only does it heat up your whole body, it fills you up, & most of all has all the good vitamins that we require to keep us healthy, not too heavy on our stomach either HerLadyship & also a great source of liquid form, if you want I will give you the recipe for the chicken/ rice soup..I will stop here HerLadyship as I could go on forever, but one last thing to say, my friend's, sister's great advice👍 has helped me greatly on my road to recovery, & I hope will be very beneficial for you too..Take care,💘💜🤍Primrose123..xx(PS once you finish your Doxycycline, do remember to order your rescue pack, as if required at anytime in the future, saves a lot of panic & hassle..)..xx 😇 🙋
Thank you so much primrose 123 ... I'll try all of these suggestions ... hopefully be back to normal soon. Can't wait to be finished antibiotics.. and yes...will make sure to get the rescue pack!!
👍👍I wish you a very healthy, bright & happy future, HerLadyship!!! Take care, 💘 & God bless.. . Primrose 123..xx
Thank you primrose 123 ... wishing good health and happiness for you too xx
Thank you HerLadyship..xx
If you are still feeling as bad in the morning it would be worth you going to get checked at A&E, they will probably order a chest X-ray and possibly give you nebuliser treatment
With discoloured sticky mucus, breathlessness AND 93 then I know for definite my transplant team would be demanding I phone 911 for them to come out and assess me.
They will make the call wether you need to go in and will take you if so.
A lot will depend on your respiratory rate and if that is fast then it’s lukewarm warm weak tea for you dear.(can’t think of anything worse).
Bring a book and ask the uninterested receptionist to keep you separated as you are suspectable to infection.
Good luck from a fellow NI person who moved to Sussex 34 years ago.
Big hugs…
Thank you.... Northern Ireland buddy . I've just had a cup of ghastly weak tea...then I'll check BP and oxygen we'll take it from there. Feeling weak ...probably cos eating very little and had crazy dreams last night probably due to the steroids.
If it helps I have emphysema and Aspergillosis my normal oxygen levels are 88-92 at rest so for me 93 would be good. 93 for someone without a lung disease would be considered low but with lung disease it’s ok.
That gives me some encouragement Biker88... I'll see how things go this morning
Sorry you are having all these problems, with an unresponsive husband to boot. I thought mine was uniquely insensitive- obviously not. After about 20 years he has some idea of my needs, but then he now needs me bigtime to help him with his dementia.( (ha, ha.) My inclination was like Primrose's- to phone 111 and hope they would send an ambulance if necessary. Sorry you're so far from help and with a horrendous waiting time when you get there. ( Thought: I was once fast tracked at A&E because I presented with symptoms (extreme breathlessness) which were the same as when I had a heart attack. Anything which could be cardiac gets priority.) The fact that you have started to cough up mucus sounds a bit hopeful -you need to get it off your chest. I hope you find a way out of this awful situation. very best wishes. xxx
Thank you Alberta 56. It looks like you have a lot on your hands if husband had dementia! I'm playing it by ear ...see how things go this morning there's not much mucus coming up really but maybe it will clear more today
I was prescribed an AeroBika when I needed to cough up a load of phlegm. It worked a treat. The respiratory nurses asked my doc to prescribe it.
Hi Alberta56..must look into AeroBika ... I'm finding it hard to cough up but I've never heard of this!!!
I've had a power breather and then an air physio for years, which I purchased myself but physio at hospital recently told me Areobika was better and gave me one. It seems to be doing the trick, unsticking the hard phlegm.
That's what I found. I was amazed how much gunk it helped me to bring up almost straightaway.
Sorry to read that you are feeling so unwell. It’s horrible isn’t it ? Scary isn’t it ? Good self care is vital.
Do you know about the active cycle of breathing ? If not let me know and I will send a link.
Do look after yourself over the coming days, drink plenty of clear fluids about a litre ? It helps to thin the mucous making it easier to shift.Plus hot warming drinks too of course. Try to relax, your lungs will thank you for it.
Are you using something like paracetamol to help with other symptoms? Aches etc. when I have a flare up/infection I am using them every 4 -6 hours. They do take the edge off.
Rest to allow the body to heal. The energy you have is needed by your body to counter the infection.
If you can eat nutritious meals then the good food will help.
Of course if you feel worse then call for more help..
Wishing you well.
Pauline
Thanks Pauline HM... I'm resting...still in bed and probably will be for a while. Yes... I've been trying to do the breathing and drinking water,tea etc ... Those steroids are something else ....weepy one minute and then almost high!!! Crazy dreams as well
Ok well done, I get tearful and have weird dreams when I am not well, not sure it is down to steroids though, more like not feeling well and poor sleep ? Do you have a relaxation app you can tune into ?
See how you go over the next couple of days.
Monday to Friday the Asthma Lung helpline is available and the specialist nurses there are such a help.
Hope you feel better soon.
Pauline
Thanks Pauline HM ... thought I was going mad with all this weird stuff! Now ...just to add to the mix ...my legs feel a bit funny ...knees a bit sore and tingly down to the ankles. Not much wonder we get weepy!!! Really fed up with it all
I have often needed to take a course of steroids ( over 21 years ) through an exacerbation but never had those symptoms.
Don't hesitate to call 111 if you need to and are you planning to speak to your GP tomorrow ?
My understanding is steroids can cause insomnia hense being advised to take them in the morning. Also I nearly always have bizarre dreams whilst on steroids.
if you went to a@e they would put you on oxegen but if you can hold on in there keep taking tabs and your blue inhaler ....l have just started with all symptons you have and have heart probs through the night had 4 puffs of gtn and umpteen puffs of blue inhaler coughing alot too just got over a chest infection only a few weeks ago ...hope you will be ok take care
Hi Armstrong 42 .....I feel for you...it's just horrible and I also have GTN spray but didn't need it so far.🤞 I'm trying to hold on with tabs n inhaler hopefully all the meds kick in soon.I don't know if you have Kardia mobile ...I got one recently and you can do ECG on it....think it's more accurate than smart watch ECG. Will you get to see a doc .... I think I'd ring if you have cardiac issues issues at the minute. Take care
Hi HerLadyship. So sorry to hear you are unwell. If you can't get a GP appointment I would go to A&E. The blue inhaler (Salbutamol) should only be used in emergencies. It does have an effect on heart rate and long term frequent use of salbutamol can cause heart problems. Please see a doctor. Hope you get better soon xxx❤️
I’d ring 111 for advice if you can’t wait till tomorrow. I avoid hospital at all costs as I’m immune compromised and goodness knows what else I’d get infected with whilst there, got Covid once! Please look after yourselves.
Take care
Wendy xx
You're absolutely right Wendy ... goodness knows what you might pick up in the waiting area ... there's so many people with all sorts of problems! Sometimes they're so crowded you wonder about hygiene and general cleanliness. Sounds mean of me I know,but it's always in the back of my mind!
Hi JJ-7 ...Gosh I thought you could use blue inhaler as often as you felt necessary. As I have heart issues I'd really not want to make things worse. If I can hold on until tomorrow I should be able to get my GP...and advice re a&e
Long term frequent use can cause cardiac problems, yes, but constant wheezing & struggling to breathe is also a strain on the heart. Someone needs to investigate WHY you’re needing it so often - maybe your medication can be supplemented in some way. Before your gp appointment tomorrow, I’d be phoning the helpline 0300 222 5800, the nurses there are great and can discuss your medication and suggest things you might want to ask.
Thank you janedivney... I will ring the helpline and be prepared for appointment (assuming I actually get one) 🤞
I hope you get an urgent appointment. I am thinking of you and hope you feel better soon xxx❤️
Hi, I'm so hoping the antibiotics and pred are kicking in by now. Hang on in there, pred is hard but oh so helpful in bringing down the inflammation to open airways, helping you breath and get up any mucus.
Luckily I rarely need it however, when I have to I'll put it on bedside before sleeping with a glass of water & a couple of oatcakes then I set alarm for 5am to take them. I prefer to get pred well through my system so I can avoid the night palpitations and the horrible feelings. That works for me but if 5am is too early try 6am.
Don't forget that being on antibiotics can also make you feel awful too and will pass when you're feeling better & off them. Being on them all is to prevent pneumonia &/or sepsis but still important to continue to take your temperature, BP & O2 checks. (02 usually drops when we're ill), mine's usually 94 & I'm not ill but I can bring it up & pulse down with Deep Diaphragm Breathing. Don't hesitate to call 111 for advice today, they'll advise or 999 if all goes tips up. Thinking of you and 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
Thank you peege ... it's a comfort to know that you and all the others are out there with advice. I'd be so scared dealing with this on my own... Regular healthy folks probably find it hard to understand
We're not really supposed to give advice on here 😬 thems the rules, rightly so really (some have funny ideas) but when someone's ill, worried and its the weekend we can only offer our experience and knowledge ¹ especiallywhen to make that call. The risk of getting it wrong is huge as we're all different, different lung diseases, levels & experiences. I know that there are times when I've battled on without seeking medical help or asking here (except at first when I knew little & was so naive lung-wise). Personally I owe a lot to a few who really helped me when I was floundering in the dark. Take care and get well soon
I'm so grateful for all the help I've been getting. I knew very little about COPD ...and flare ups .... I'm getting a lot more knowledgeable!!!
Hello again Her Ladyship, I am pleased that you contacted Out of Hours ,👍 having advice from the medical professional team will ease your mind & make you feel a little better...My humble advice to you Her Ladyship would be to continue taking plenty liquids, I always have a bottle of water with me &I find that by taking small sips regularly it helps to loosen the phlegm & makes it so much easier to cough up, & once the phlegm is up ,you will find an improvement in your breathing, I also find that by propping your pillows up helps make you sleep better too, that was very good advice you were given by a few of our lovely friends here on HU, Her Ladyship regarding the blue inhaler,if you find that you need to use it on a regular basis it is definitely an emergency & requires calling an ambulance & having hospital treatment... I wish you well Her Ladyship & sincerely hope that your medication helps you on your road to recovery ... Take care. with love 💘 & God bless..Please do keep us posted as to how you are doing.. Primrose 123..xxx ( Maria)
🤞💕💕
metronizadole is one causing foul taste in mouth. Nobody warns you of this.
My knowledge ofo antibioticsis now 25 yrs out of date but we used clarithromycin then as alternative .the other sounds like the steroid.
Thank you Jaybird 19...At least I know the foul taste will be temporary....if these meds do the job I could cope with side effects
lots of fabulous advice all a bit different though. I got a chest infection Friday I opened my rescue immediately but only used antibiotics during the day - took steroids the next morning ( side effects for me - sad depression and insomnia no matter how early I take the little buggars) but …. And yes it’s awful feeling like this no energy can’t cough up feeling down I am now under PR team and for the first time I was told not to take antibiotics until I had sputum test?? They gave me a canister to drop at hospital as we don’t always need antibiotics. Because earlier this year o had one chest infection after the other so I had to take steroids for 5 weeks and ween off them. I was great for 6 months but caught this Friday. I haven’t had chance to check sputum so I’ve had to use both over the weekend.
The PR team are on the phone Monday to Friday and made it clear to me do not go to hospital ( that’s worrisome) but they’ll send out their team if necessary - this doesn’t apply to everyone but I’m not keen on the idea - anyway gone on a bit here my sats were normal but I do have oxygen on exertion. So if they drop whilst I’m making the bed or going up stairs I use that to keep sats steady. Had no idea about this before. Rest rest rest and my Ex didn’t understand any of it as I looked ok but felt terrible.
I pray you feel well soon give the tablets 3/4 days and you’ll hopefully notice a difference o
Hi pepparuby1...Gosh you've had a rough time... Yes those deceptive little pills had me weepy and gave me mad dreams.These infections are horrible aren't they? I was so weak couldn't do anything yesterday at all....even getting to the loo was a struggle. Not quite so bad today(maybe meds are starting to kick in...started antibiotics on Thursday last and steroids on Friday) like you my oxygen levels drop with any exertion... I'll keep a note of the levels from now on... Would be useful to have figures next time I see consultant.Can't believe they want to do a sputum test before antibiotics...by the time you get the results back you'd probably have ended up in a&e anyway!! As for not going to the hospital... what's that about??? If you need x-ray or scan the team aren't going to be able to do that!!!! Isn't it strange how we can look okay but feel terrible??? Those that haven't experienced the condition don't realise how weak we can be!!!
Wishing you all the best pepparuby1.
You rest up and take care of yourself
actually i was told to only take steroids, until sputum test back, and guess what it was just two days, however i had to drop that off at the hospital? The respiratory team explained in PR that it was not good for us to go into hospital, i thought omg!!! anyway i have had to go for lung function test ( only waited 8 months) and CT scan on my lungs. hope you feel better soon, im on day four of antibiotics ( i asked for the stronger ones doxycline) and day three of steroids. I have had to cancel four days work ( self employed) so i am hoping come thursday i will be fit to start but yes, i dont look ill but i feel horrendous - no engery but hey - chanel 5 christmas films in the afternoon sounds good lol
If I was you I would persevere with the whole course. It takes time and now the phlem is coming loose. It is very important that you work really hard at getting all of the mucus out of your lungs, even if it takes up most of your time and is echausting. You have to help the antibiotics by removing the medium that the germs breed in. You will feel hortible. There is a battle royal going on in your body between the bacteria and two heavy hitting antibiotics. Rest when you can. Drink plenty and have patience. It is useless to go to A&E. Their job is to patch you up and send you home. The docs there will have no idea about your conditions whereas those treating you do. I hope that you feel better soon.
Swizzy good advice, i find it hard to bring up the gunk, take carbisistone tablets, and drink loads of water or tea, its really hard but its sitting on my lungs isnt it. i love what you said about patience too...,. im not but have learned i have to be kind to myself
You can ask your doc for medications to use to nebulise to thin and loosen the mucus. Nebulisers are quite cheap so you could buy your own.I nebulise ventalin and salbutamol followed by .9% saline. Some people use stronger saline but you have to do a test dose at hospital through your consultant for that. I don't know if you have a bronch specialist but you really should get one.There are lots of breathing exercises on You Tube to loosen the mucus
I know it's a fag but essemtial. I missed my full routine yesterday because people came and I am really feeling clogged today.
You aren't alone. There are lots of us going through this- me all of my life and I am 74 now. When you get on top of it life can be so much better.
Someone bought me a nebuliser so I asked respiratory team what I needed to put in it and they said not to bother with it??? WTH!!!
So I’ve this new nebuliser but maybe I should get gp to prescribe what I need
Why are people so unhelpful?! Often it's because they don't know about what you need. You can buy saline on the internet but I don't see why you should pay for it when you can have it prescribed. I find 'respiratory teams' useless for bronch anyway. You should ask your consultant or if you don't have one, your GP. They can prescribe salbutamol, tiotropium and saline on repeat to nebulise. We really have to be very pro active in the face of ignorance, laziness and complacency.
Yes, my experience with medical issues is that you need to have your wits about you,be as well informed as possible. Sometimes you wonder if you're just a number!!! Maybe I'm too harsh, I know they're all under pressure. Does seem odd that waiting rooms (apart from A&E) are not busy! Just a point of interest...if you're in hospital and they're dishing out tablets ...check that you're getting the correct set ... because I was on heart tablets , steroids and antibiotics there were quite a lot at one time and on more than one occasion I had to point out that something was missing! One nurse was a bit sarcastic and asked me if I was a nurse or a doctor ...so why was I questioning!!!!!
I’m made a note of this - thank you I’ll ask when I get to see dr. Although that’s easier sad than done
Just a quick note from personal experience from short term course of steroids. I actually get a boosting feeling of feeling good which I don’t think is unusual
Sorry for those who have horrible dreams etc
Hi there.... sorry to hear you're suffering... I hpjust wanted to help you realise that Preds will be your best friend... they are amazing little pills that are incredible if taken right ... my normal dose when infected and inflamed are 30mg for 7 days, 25mg for 3 days,20mg for 3 days, 15mg for 3 days, 10mg for 3 days, 5mg for 3 days then NIL ...
ALWAYS take your full course of antibiotics as directed by Doctor, and painkillers every 4 hours really do help you to tolerate any pain..
I just wanted yo give a further few tips... I buy from Amazon ... Buttercup syrup...
It's quite strong but not unpleasant, and you can add about 20ml of hot water to it making it more effective ..that will also help clear your chest and help you to breathe ... I always have Halls Soothers and Mint imperials in to help me to breathe too ... and my GP suggested that I get a Hepa filter air purifier which I found helpful right next to my bed ....
I hope you feel better soon
Thank you poppyshola ..I'll check out the buttercup syrup
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