Virus or Lung issues

[Frankie4Sanity]

How do you tell if the coughing is to do with Asthma/COPD and inhaler should be used to help with breathing, or whether its just a virus, cold, etc? My surgery has told me that I shouldn't need to use my inhaler during the day outside of my prescribed use morning and evening and if I am using more, they want to know about it, so I'm getting nervous about using it.

[Biker88]

I have COPD and have been prescribed both preventer and reliever inhalers I use the preventer once in the morning and relievers when I need them. Coughing can be caused by an infection bacterial, fungal or viral but also allergies or anxiety. I also suffer from the last two I’m allergic to the excess stomach acid vapour from my hiatus hernia and I get anxiety coughs. If you need to use reliever regularly then tell your GP it may be the inhaler you have is not right for you and you need to try a different one.

[Stoer in reply to Biker88]

Only yesterday my respiratory consultant sent me for blood tests to check for food allergies. He is also considering putting me on to Azithromycin so had to get an ECG as it can case changes in the heart rhythm. I have asthma (but not COPD). My lung capacity is only 49%, my peak flow 227, I cough a lot and have quite a bit of mucus.

[PW_R in reply to Stoer]

With an fev/fvc of 49% how come they didn’t call it copd? Do you have a smoking history? Are you badly effected by it?

[Stoer in reply to PW_R]

I've never smoked and I've had asthma since I was 10 years old (I only found that out recently from my medical records) but it was never treated until I was in my late 30s. COPD, bronchiectasis, paralysed diaphragm have all been ruled out recently after having several spirometry tests, ultrasound scan of abdomen, chest x-ray and CT scan of my lungs. I become breathless if I move too fast so I try to slow down. I can get breathless even getting into my car! I used to be able to climb hills and go for long walks but can't do that any more. Anyway, I try to concentrate on what I can do rather than what I can't.

[PW_R in reply to Stoer]

I thought it had to be copd with a lung function of 50% but I could be wrong. I have such severe atypical asthma that it much be early copd or maybe small airway disease, given my smoking history. How old are you if you don’t mind me asking! I’m 40 and already starting to struggle with the stairs. God help me over the next decade. Hopefully they’ll have legalised the ‘early exit’ at that point!

[Stoer in reply to PW_R]

In a couple of months time I'll have reached my three score years and ten!! I live in a bungalow now so stairs are not an issue. Outside, now most places have lifts and friends know that I always head for the nearest lift.. I do live up a hill, so it's now always my car when I go out!I hope that you have a good respiratory consultant who is getting all the necessary tests done so that you can get the best treatment possible. Unfortunately, I've had to go down the private route, otherwise I might still be waiting - or tests moving very slowly!

[PW_R in reply to Stoer]

Thanks for you reply. How long have you struggled to live a normal life? Avoid stairs etc? I’m currently terrified of losing more and more functionality. I went from very athletic to relatively disabled at get the course of a year. The idea of evening living another 10 years with this nevermind 30 is I incredibly unappealing.

[Stoer in reply to PW_R]

Almost 3 years. My breathlessness suddenly started a few weeks after my first COVID vaccination. My breathlessness to me is my new normal, but, hopefully, following more tests, my consultant will be able to prescribe the appropriate medication. I have kept as active as possible - going to exercise classes for the over 50s (but sometimes younger people sneak in) and aquafit. In some areas of Scotland , GPs can refer you to special exercise classes run by the local authority free of charge. Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland also run exercise classes.

I still sing in a choir (but sneak lots of breaths!). Asthma and Lung UK run on line singing classes as well as ones around the country. These classes are run by musicians who have been trained to work with people with lung problems (and you don't need to be a good singer!). Research has shown that singing is good for both the lungs and brain. All is not gloom and doom😊.

[PW_R in reply to Stoer]

What inhalers are you on? Iv got a CPET and sleep study coming up. I can’t seem to exercise and it severely increases sleep jerks at the moment of sleep, stoping me sleeping. I was such a an active person. I’m already on LABA/LAMA/ICS inhaler so unsure what more they can put me on.

So in the last year Iv lost the ability to exercise & have significant sleep disturbances, SOB on the incline, constant mucus, lower airways feel closed up. Accompanied intermittent nausea & headaches, and a plethora of fatigue. If this is the new normal with what I assume will be further progression, then I am well and truely happy to sign off, having had a decent-ish 40 years!

[Stoer in reply to PW_R]

I don't think that it's helpful to say what medication I'm on, especially as I'm still having tests done, am considerably older than you, have several co-morbitities and you are still having tests done. Suffice it to say that I'm on the same inhaler regime as you plus other medication. There are various reasons for fatigue and your GP can do blood tests to test for low vitamin D, low folate levels and thyroid problems as all of these issues can cause fatigue. (There's probably other reasons for fatigue but these are the ones I know of.) There's medication which can help with nausea and headaches. Talk to your GP about all these issues.

Exercise doesn't always mean running around, doing weights and all the things you see the young gym bunnies doing!! - you can do chair based exercises (I think there's plenty on YouTube) if you feel you can't stand or walk to exercise. At exercise classes that I've gone to, the instructor individually tailors the exercises for people who are unable to do the same as the rest of the class. I even went to exercise classes and aquafit while on crutches!! Some form of exercise is good for you. Yes, sometimes we don't feel like doing it (or feel that we can do it), but if we push ourselves that wee bit, we start to feel the benefit.

Don't let your breathing issues defeat you! If you want to talk to someone apart from your GP, phone the Asthma and Lung UK's helpline and speak to one of their fantastic nurses.

[Ergendl]

In my opinion, use it if you need it, and if you need it outside morning and evening, tell your GP. If you need it regularly outside morning and evening, they will give you more support to control your breathing difficulties.

Look after your health first. To the surgery, you're just one of thousands, and while they try their best, they don't have the same life investment in you as you have.

[leo60]

I would agree, if you need your reliever, use it. The the surgery want to know only so they can monitor you in case you need a stronger/ different one.

Don't be scared to use them, that's what they're there for xx

[O2Trees in reply to leo60]

And don't be scared of the surgery either - they are there for us, not the other way round!

[leo60 in reply to O2Trees]

Hear hear! Xx

[Alberta56 in reply to O2Trees]

Some surgeries do not entirely give that impression.

[Frankie4Sanity in reply to Alberta56]

Thanks guys! I have to say that each time I go, I see someone different who gives different info and some of them give the impression that they think I'm just wasting their time. Would be good if there was some consistency.

[Alberta56]

You must use your reliever when you need it.

[BenHall1]

I have had a cough for years, nothing sinister, just a damn nusience. This year it has been much worse .... for all of this time I have been on a party bag of drugs including Ramipril 10mg. One side effect of Ramipril is coughing, of varying intensities, my GP told me to come off it. The coughing reduced but hasn't stopped.

Over the last 10 months or so I have experienced increasing breathlessness which has worsened to the point where I have had many tests and the end result has been the diagnosis of mild COPD .... but COPD nevertheless. To this end I've been prescribed an inhaler .... Easyhaler with Sulbutamol (Blue Inhaler - a Reliever).

I am finding my coughing with COPD is worse in the morning, say between 7 and 9 am. During that time frame I inhale my Easyhaler. That helps me through the morning but my whole COPD is influenced dramatically by the weather. As a consequence I have another inhale around 1 to 2 pm. After this time I hardly cough and have quite a dry easy breathing chest for the rest of the day - no sweat. Most days I have 2 inhales, on a bad day a third.

Meanwhile, I have taken up gentle walking around my area. A friend of mine has also suggested I undertake a Respiratory Rehab Course which would need a referral from my GP. Gotta check that out.

John

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

I totally share your frustration. After years - 22 of them living with Asthma COPD, I am still shocked at the lack of knowledge shared by many health care staff to patients with Asthma COPD . This is a lucridous situation and totally unnecessary. Asthma COPD carries a higher symptom burden so you need slightly more support to successfully self manage the conditions.

So how to get the support you need ? To empower yourself is the probably the best way and the way to do that is educate yourself. I am still learning.

Have you spoken to the specialist respiratory nurses helpline at Asthma + Lung U.K ? They are superb and so helpful.

Perhaps use a local Breathe Easy group if there is one- for peer support or join one of the online support groups again Asthma + Lung U.K.

Do you have a care plan ? Here is a link to our local one which you can print out and ask for help to complete. There is a lengthy one on the Asthma + Lung U.K. website. Badger your healthcare providers to help you with completing one. You are entitled to a personalised care plan.

g-care.glos.nhs.uk/uploads/...

There are many simple things we can do to minimise flare ups. Once you have an idea of what to look for there is so much good information around especially online for you to access to help and support yourself. Sad to say that in many areas it is all down to us these days.

I wish you well. Stick with the support on this platform. There are lots of folk here with years of experience to help. Let us know how you get on won’t you ?

Go well.

Pauline

[PW_R in reply to PaulineHM]

People with lung disease are cast to the trashy heap by society as far as I can see.

Asthma not seen to be serious enough.

copd still stigmatised as being caused by ourselves.

Never mind ILD & PF & Bronc which some Gp’s have literally never treated

[Superfly1975]

you don’t mention if you have been diagnosed with a respiratory condition

[Frankie4Sanity in reply to Superfly1975]

I have Asthma and mild COPD

[Superfly1975 in reply to Frankie4Sanity]

I have COPD with underlying Asthma, I use a Trimbow inhaler twice daily, if you have a continuous cough it is doubtful that a reliever is sufficient, you may need a combined inhaler or as in my case a triple, ask for a FeNo breath test to measure the inflammation in your lungs which should help decide which type of inhaler you need

[PaperQueen]

I would agree with a lot of the others, use it if you need it and tell your GP to see if he can alter your medication. We have to live with our conditions and don't always get as much support as we need, we have to cope best we can. I have COPD, and although it definitely isn't encouraged or recommended, I take my preventer more than the prescribed twice daily as I don't find the salbutamol cuts the mustard if I'm really bad.

[deejames]

I cough pretty on and off all day every day. The inhaler helps but only for a short while. With no sign of infection in the phlem I just accept it as being my normal

[Dorris59]

viruses cause exacerbations of COPD/Asthma and will usually cause coughing, wheezing, perhaps shortness of breath too etc. I’m in the UK and have just had an exacerbation due to a virus. If you have a pulse oximeter see what your oxygen saturation levels are. I’ve been changed to a stronger inhaler that combines a stronger steroid than I was on before with a long acting reliever. Before this had two inhalers and was told to take extra of my reliever Ventolin, up to 10 puffs if needed. The Fostair inhaler I’m on now, under normal circumstances when well, I would take 2X1 puff a day, but I’ve been told I can go up to 8 when I’m having an exacerbation so I don’t know why your practice has told you this unless it’s to do with the type of inhaler you’re on and they will need to see you if your symptoms have got worse. It’s important to be seen at this time as exacerbations can get very serious. You may need to visit your Dr or asthma nurse.