Got my first spirometry test middle of march. Nurse said to try a flutter device.has anyone tried them and any idea which one to get x

[Treguth]

Keep been told I have COPD but never been tested.gir inhalers but at the moment can't do anything strenuous as struggle to get breath unless I sit down and relax breathing.could be anxiety

[Patk1]

I use an aerobika - it's available on prescription.its v good,combined with lung clearance techniques to get mucous up -;see aluk website for acbt,huffing technique

[BenHall1]

Hi ,

I had a spirometry with Reversibility Lung Function Test in mid December 2024. From this I was diagnosed as having Mild (Stage 1 ) COPD. I was prescribed an inhaler, Easyhaler with Sabutomol (Blue Inhaler) with a capacity of 200 inhales. I'm down to 30 inhales left. I have never been prescribed this as a repeat prescription, so am waiting for a phone call from my GP as to what happens next. I was also told by my GP to increase my exercise - which insofar as this damn awful winter weather allows I have done and continue to do. Never heard of a flutter device much yet been told to use one - have no idea. Sorry.

TBH, this inhaler is next to useless. I sleep at night without a sound - coughing bouts or snoring ! My chest kicks off after breakfast ( and does so that regularly I'm wondering if I have a breakfast cereal allergy - I love wheat products) . I cough for the universe, I use my blue Inhaler and progressively during the morning it goes away and by lunch time I'm normal. No coughing normal breathing., No sweat. Stays like that for the rest of the day. That said, it isn't guaranteed to work in that way and I have managed to get the same results from cough mixture and nasal spray.

My activity levels are pretty good ( have just recently completed a 700 plus mile round trip road trip for a funeral) and normal activities around the home are fine - the hardest thing is putting on shoes and tying laces. That will set me off with massive bouts of breathlessness and tiredness. Weather permitting I continue with my walking - tracking my efforts with my Strava App on my smartphone.

At this stage I have not tried any of the suggested breathing exercises. Nor have I been recommended pulmonary rehab classes. I also usea Clement Clarke Peak Flow Meter to get a fix on my lung performance. Currently I'm running at about 17% below what I should be for a guy of my age/height and build. So, maybe improving my fitness levels is the get go !

Good luck with your COPD.

[Seagullcity in reply to BenHall1]

Hi BenHall1, it might be worthwhile learning the breathing exercises which reset your lungs so that you’re using all the lung lobes and breathing through your diaphragm. For me, religiously practising this technique for a while put a stop to the awful daily coughing fits I was getting. S

[BenHall1 in reply to Seagullcity]

Hiya Seagullcity,

Yep, I must acknowledge that my breathing techniques are not real good. I have been in touch with my Surgery to try and get enrolled on a pulmonary rehab course which will (hopefully ) focus on exercises and breathing. Meanwhile I'm gonna join a local group next week when they kick off again dealing with breathing etc for those diagnosed with COPD and other lung issues. Must say that the coughing fits are unreal .... just totally unbelieveable. Leaves me totally, totally drained of my life force.

I still carry on with walking but it isn't pssible when I am so cream crackered. I just have nothing to give.

I also find it just amazing that one day I can be so normal, active and on the ball ... and the next, with no warning I'm close to being dead. I find these sort of changes very hard to deal with -- mentally. If you get what I mean. Gives a whole new meaning to the expression .......... one day you are a rooster, the next day a feather duster !!

The other odd thing is I sleep well, no coughing, no breathing issues, nothing. I wake up, get up, start moving around the house and then start coughing about half hour later. Then I go down hill, even having used my Easyhaler with Sabutomol inhaler. By lunch time I'm normal again ....... this COPD crap is beyond belief.

Mind you I do suspect that I do have unidentified sinus issues, not yet acknowledged by my GP. Anyway thanks for your comments.

John

[magsclark12 in reply to BenHall1]

You may be dairy intolerant, fairly normal in us lungies, try a plant based milk to test it out.

[BenHall1 in reply to magsclark12]

Hiya magsclark12,

Thanks for that. Yes, I'll do just that.

Actually, in a way - no surprise there as I've had to go down the diet route years ago to deal with a heart arrythmia. Gluten, wheat and oats free ! These exclusions have been widened over the years thanks to the advice of a Nutritionist. That said, some foods I've been able to return to ....... others definately not, even after 15 years.

I'll also do some more research between dairy milk and lactose intolerance etc. etc.

Fanx again. 😀

John

[BenHall1 in reply to magsclark12]

Hi magsclark12,

Well I've come off dairy milk for breakfast cereal, but not for the occasional tea/coffee during the day. Must say, two days into having Soya milk with breakfast cereal has made a big difference, hardly any coughing. I'll keep on with this and see how it works out.

Thanks for the tip.

John

[magsclark12 in reply to BenHall1]

I have a very small amount of milk in coffee when I’m out and that seems fine.

[Ergendl in reply to BenHall1]

I had to ask to be referred to pulmonary rehab. Though my GP knew it was effective, he didn't know of the nearest one or how to refer me. He had to get the admin staff to find out.

[BenHall1 in reply to Ergendl]

Hi, Sounds as bloody good as my GP, about as much use as a chocolate fireguard !!

[BenHall1 in reply to Ergendl]

Hi,

I decided to test my surgery out by asking the very question you have raised.

The response I got was ........... what are you referring to ? I had to explain to them. They then asked me to supply the online reference for them to follow up.

You just couldn't make this up could you ? No wonder my GP hasn't referred me, probably doesn't know what it is, much less if my area has one or not.

I bloody give up !!

[Ergendl in reply to BenHall1]

See if the Asthma and Lung UK website can help with that.

[BenHall1 in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks, yep am already starting goin' down that track. Mind you, I'm not letting my surgery off the hook .... sent them a challenging email earlier today.

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

You really need a firm diagnosis before you do anything else.

Hoping the spirometry test and results will guide you forward.

If you do have confirmation of a diagnosis of COPD then stick with people here and take a read of the Asthma + Lung UK website. There are lots of information there for you. They have an excellent helpline too.

In the meantime, yes, perhaps relax, drink lots of clear fluid- helps to thin mucous and let us know how you get on.

Go well

Pauline

[BenHall1 in reply to PaulineHM]

Hi Pauline,

Thanks for your comments. I have noted what other peeps have had to say and am starting the journey of Pulmonary Rehab via my GP Surgery. They didn't even know what I was on about so have had to send them an email listing all my reference material I had researched. I now wait in eternal hope !!

Unbelievable !!

John

[PaperQueen]

I haven't tried a flutter device so can't advise on that, but you do need to get a proper diagnosis. Hopefully the spirometry will enlighten you there. I would advise asking to be put forward for pulmonary rehab, there is a very long waiting list in my area, so you might have a wait. Good luck. xx

[Alberta56]

There are several flutter devices on the market, but don't buy one- ask your GP to prescribe one. Many of us here, including me, like the AeroBika, which helps to bring up mucus from the lungs very gently. A word of warning. Not every device suits everybody, but one that does work is a godsend.