Became unwell on 27th December with flu symptoms, obviously this impacted on my lungs, and because e GP no longer prescribes rescue pack's, and lack of unable to get an appointment quickly my health declined at a fast pace. Did finally get a rescue pack and felt a lot better after a week. Managed to get a check up appointment and needed more steroids. Dr gave me a 2 week sick note for my employer but I was disappointed at the reason he had put on the sick note as stating COPD exacerbation. I feel this just states to my employer that my underlying disease makes me take time off work. The reason why my COPD was exacerbated was because I caught the flu virus just like everyone else. I try not let this disease defy me. It makes me feel that my employer will look at me differently now expecting me to be taking time off work. Does anyone relate to this or is it just me over thinking it. I don't want to be seen as different just because I have COPD, it's hard enough struggling to do a job. I don't really tell people at work that I have COPD but sometimes it's a real struggle. I'm 59 next month and I constantly think how long can I do this job, and also could I get another job that doesn't make me breatheless and tire me out. These are all the thoughts that keep me awake at night. It Would be nice to know what others think if you feel the same or is it just me. 🙊
Flu update : Became unwell on 27th... - Lung Conditions C...
Flu update
I lived a more or less normal life for many years with mild asthma. I hope when you have got over the flu, which will take time, you're be able to do the same. You sound very determined. It was only when I developed bronchiectasis after retirement age that I started to deteriorate. Not many people knew I was asthmatic. I didn't want them treating me like an invalid.
Thank you for replying Albert, I know what you mean now my employer knows that I have COPD I feel like they now look at me differently I don't want to be treated like an invalid either. 😔
I hate having to say I have COPD even though I am long retired .
Labelled . And I always wait for the next question ‘ do you / did you smoke ? ‘
Yes , but I never inhaled , stopped 40 years ago, 3 pregnancies never smoked .But people forget everywhere was full of tobacco and coal smoke years ago .smokers on transport, in cinemas pubs and restaurants , and my Father at home throughout my child hood and teen age years .
After a discussion my health practice gave me a Rescue Pack , caught this flu bug , worried they wouldn’t give me another pack , but I emailed and they did promptly .
Sending best wishes , two of my asthmatic COPD friends ( never smoked ) have got this flu bug too . Horrid . Mine is going away slowly .
Try contacting the ALUK helpline to discuss your employment worries , available during office hours in the week . Take care.
Thank you so much for your reply knitter. So grateful for people to talk to. Hope your on the mend quickly too. Take care ☺️
I would certainly tell your employer that you had the flu. I used to work for Tesco and my manager was brilliant. Once she knew I had COPD, she understood why I had chest infections and never rushed me back to work. She made sure I was in the warmest places (if such places exist in a supermarket!) and generally watched out for me. So, maybe there can be advantages to your employer knowing.
Wishing you all the best xx
Thank you Leo.It's supporting other people role, so I'm out with my own clients, so your not in one place if that makes sense there's no base. So they rely on you to make them a profit from your role. I have been struggling and maybe now is the time to look at other options. I will see how my recovery goes. Thank you so much for your reply it means a lot. 😊
I would say you need to be kind to yourself. Struggling when you have COPD is no fun. It is also not good for your long-term health. I hope you think about maybe doing something that is less tough on you.
We are all here for each other, if you want to chat, please do 😘 I hope you make a full recovery soon xx
hope you get on okay on your return to work and your boss is sympathetic towards you if not are you in a union your rep could help you
If you can’t get a GP appointment easily call 111, I’m long retired now but my employer adjusted my work duties to accommodate my COPD. It’s a progressive disease which we have to learn to live with and adjust too. Mine is obvious now oxygen bottle and mobility scooter, but before then I didn’t hid it, I used to get comments at work using the lift for one floor, but I was quite happy to tell people I have COPD and can’t manage the stairs
Hi. I hope you are feeling better. I too have COPD and other conditions. I have been completely transparent with my Employer about having it and I feel I haven’t been judged or treated differently in anyway. I was hospitalised for a short time last year with a virus/pneumonia, and then off work for a couple weeks, my GP also put it as COPD exacerbation. I personally feel better for making my Employer aware of my health conditions as this has enabled me to attend hospital appointments during work time without any issues from my Employer. I think it also given my employer a better understanding that if I catch a virus it will most likely be more serious for me than someone without COPD. My manager and colleagues have been amazing, really supportive and have even made slight adjustments to lower my risk of flare. I know I’m lucky to have such supportive manager and colleagues. I think GP tend to put COPD on certificates because in effect the flu has exacerbated your COPD, they also need this on record in order to give you rescue pack/steroids as they cannot prescribe steroids or antibiotics for flu. Having COPD exacerbation entered on your record also gives a clearer picture of how many exacerbations you are having each year. Of course it’s entirely up to you whether you tell your employer whether you have COPD. Please try not to worry about your job and what the future may hold, health conditions do tend to make us more anxious, which can affect our conditions more. This is a particularly risky time of year especially this year for all of us on here. But if you are feeling very anxious maybe worth considering having a chat with your employer or GP, or us on here. Keep warm and stay safe xxx
Thanks for your reply Toogunele.My employer is already aware of my condition, but because I don't work from a base or office there's not much they can put in place. I am out in the community and in other people's homes. Also I moved recently so I have a new GP practice and they do not give out rescue pack's, I have always had a rescue pack and this time I have been really ill catching this flu virus, if I had the pack I wouldn't have been so ill. There are lots of GP practices doing this now, they want to see you before giving out antibiotics but if you cannot get an appointment, they are putting people at risk it's ridiculous. I have now written to the practice so we shall see what their response is. I am feeling so much better now, but still feel anxious about my breathlessness and my job. Anyway I am so grateful for the people on here giving advice and their opinion so thank you all. 🙏
I am baffled as to why your GP won’t provide you with rescue pack. When in an exacerbation the NHS recommended guidelines are that you start taking your rescue pack straight away in case there is a delay seeing a doctor, delay getting prescription and to reduce the risk of hospitalisation. I have not had any issues getting rescue packs from GP. I would be inclined to ask GP why they will not issue rescue pack, it’s there for emergencies. What happens if you have an exacerbation over weekend or bank holiday or are too ill to attend doctors surgery or pharmacy? Would definitely ask your GP these questions
This is what is happening now doctors now want to see you before prescribing. I had no trouble before I moved. When I spoke to the doctor about it he just said its a grey area with regards to the rescue pack's now. I have also seen this on the Asthma forum on this site that people are no longer getting rescue pack's. To me they are just putting people at risk. I have written to the practice but I'm still waiting for a reply. It doesn't make sense you see on the news saying please don't come to A&E yet how can we stay away if there's no alternative 🙈
Luckily my COPD didn't become really debilitating until I retired. It's horrible being labeled as disabled when you feel able to do your work like anyone else most of the time. Luckily I was able to retire at 61 but presumably you will have to wait a lot longer. I would make your employer and colleagues aware that it was flu that you had and I might also think about a looking for a change of work. It sounds like your job is physically demanding, would your current employer consider moving you sideways into a less physical job? Best wishes xx
Do you claim PIP which you would get for having COPD you can have it even if your working
Hi gingermusicNo I don't claim any benefits, I have heard horror stories of how difficult it is to claim pip and the assessments. I doubt if I would get this benefit for being overly breathless. I am thinking if applying for a blue badge though. Not sure if I will get one. 😊
I have been refused PIP just recently for COPD
How strange as I receive it could it be due to age?
I’m only in my 50s so definitely not because of age. Lots of people are getting rejected now unfortunately
No not your age then I have received PIP for many years for my COPD sorry to hear you were not able to get it
It’s been a very stressful time trying to claim and being rejected, then having mandatory reconsideration rejected. I’m considering going down the appeal route but need to focus on my health and wellbeing first because it’s so stressful
The only help I can offer you is that when filling out the form you need to be thinking of your worse day ever and how it affects you. Are you on oxygen?
Hi. I think I will appeal but at the moment I’m finding it hard to go through all of it again. I also have anxiety which doesn’t help. My husband has been very poorly recently and I’m just trying to focus on keeping myself well too. I did pay a company to do the mandatory reconsideration so I’m obviously disappointed that I was rejected again. Thank you for you advice 😊
I wish you well and hope you will be accepted if you try again
Thank you ☺️
If you had telephoned 111 they would have arranged for an emergency pack of antibiotics and steroids to be collected from a nearby pharmacy which is open 24hrs..They never refuse.hope you are recovering now xx.Sheila 💗
I know what you mean the same happened to me but it's better you're boss knows because they have to try and accommodate you I to have copd used to have time off when cold or flu which made me unwell my employer said look I have to accommodate you because off copd and never worry about being off through a health condition
Hi I have severe asthma quite often it can say that I am.off work alot, luckily now my gp asks what I want on the form u can ask thrm. I work in school not very supportive now on biologics gives me side effects lowers immune system. Do push see gp.or phone 111 when your bad I used to hsve supply at home steroids waa on them long time. Now if I want more I have contact gp.
Hope u r recovering now Jake x
Flu vacination
Flu 
todays further update guys ….
Winter flu jab. Who is entitled. 
Going from employed to unemployable?
