Ive got copd emphysema I’ve had abit of a chest infection so asked my gp for a rescue pack they just gave me antibiotics and told me come back if needed the steroids which I did they said my chest sounded better and gave me 28 steroid tablets ( prednisolone) for inflammation which worked out I would only have 4 days worth of and a morning of Four tabs I went back to gp who receptionist said to just take these an see how I get on again 😡 I’ve now finished these but I still feel very achy around the chest area At the top and at the back this has been going on for 3 weeks now my mucus is white thick bits now but not as bad as before (sorry tmi) still feel breathless but Not coughing any advice would be much appreciated 🙏 Thankyou in a advance
Advice please : Ive got copd emphysema... - Lung Conditions C...
Advice please
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Jump to repliesWhite mucus is supposed to show the infection is gone, but it sounds as if your lungs are still inflamed. I'm not a medic, but I thought steroids were supposed to deal with inflammation. I hope some more knowledgeable person will be along soon, or alternatively phone the helpline (0300 222 5800). I think you need to go back to your surgery.
Thankyou i don’t know if I’ve had enough steroids as I have 28 tabs 6 a day but it only worked out four days of 6 tabs and the fifth day of four ? It’s just the aching now and feels a bit sore Thankyou for advice I’m going ring my doctors again 🤷♀️xx
Hello Yvonne,This might sound daftI regularly have to have a 6x5 days preds rescue pack unfortunately for frequent Emphysema exacerbations. I am stage 4.Every time my pharmacist trys to panic me by sending a sealed pack 28 but usually nestling in the instruction leaflet are the extra 2 snipped off another sheet.I have just got up and checked my stash.Yep.28 +2.Too late now as you have prob ably binned the box,but worth double checking nxt time.Normally i only start to improve by day 4 of preds but i know it's going to be at the very least 2 wks before i am getting near my base line.Luckily i don't produce mucous so i cannot help there.Though i would strongly say "it''s your body"if you know something just feels wrong then get back to the Drs pronto don't sit on it.Flareups are serious and you might feel you are winning but they can turn on you and bite you on the bum with speed.PS i am seething just thinking about that receptionist.Unbelievable !!!!! since when did she become qualified.Grrrrr.Chin up kid this is just a glitch.Promise x
Hi Yvonne, contact your doctor and explain how you feel. You certainly need more help so don’t delay. Feel better soon. Xxx🩷❤️
hi Thankyou. I’ve just rang my doctors the receptionist said theres no appointments available for today. So I will probably have to wait untill Monday morning and try get in then. Thankyou for your advice 💕xx
Omg ... ring snd tell them you are struggling to breathe and you've run out of steroids .. I can't believe the short supp,y given to you would be assumed to help .. when you have problems like you do ... it's a daily struggle and now the pollen is flying all over you can't take chances ... sod the appointments if you wfor for them you're going to get ill ... when taking a course of steroids I take 6 for 7 days then 5 for 3 days 4 for 3 days 3 for 3 days 2 for 3 days 2 for 3 days then 1 fo 3 days then stop .. don't worry about the receptionist.. I ifren find that instead of trying to get an appointment I write a letter for doctor and ask reception to hide it to him ... mark it urgent and pop in
I’ve just phoned 111 they should be calling me back within an hour thankyou for your advice xx
Good thinking. Trying to get an appointment on Monday mornings is a soul destroying game.
Hope 111 gets u booked in for appointment x
Yes Thankyou I’ve got an appointment tomorrow urgent care thankyou for your replies 😊xx
Good luck...sounds like you need some more meds ... Definitely right to ring 111 ... waiting until Monday isn't the best idea
Hi Yvonne 1234 I am in the same situation as you with flare up of chest infection copd asthma and bronchietasis I had initial rescue pack of both antibiotics and prednisolone 4weeks after still thick white mucus and had a 2nd dose of prednisolone it has finally settled down I the last 2 days .no infection now but very irritated lungs needing a week more to recover. All in all about 6 weeks .my respiratory nurse said 2 courses of both meds were needed to kick it out.
I’m hopefully going try to get something today at urgent care I’ve got an appointment this afternoon. I just hope it not a wasted journey 🤷♀️😊 thanks for your reply xx
Good luck for today I hope they sort you out, you really can't go over the weekend feeling so bad x
Hi Yvonneh1234....Glad to hear you're feeling a lot better.
Your doctor needs a kick up the backside !!
They should always give you a rescue pack ready for you to take ASAP...you should always have it ready at home and the right amount...I would ask for that particular doctor to call you back and tell them your not happy with the treatment your receiving ...and if not sorted to your satisfaction..make sure they know that you will complain....we all know how busy they
are and the great job most of them do.....but please don't ignore the patient who knows themselves and what they need.....hope you get this sorted soon 👍 😀 😉...Gnasher4321!
My gp surgery stopped issuing rescue packs a few years ago and won't be budged on it. Although I don't need it now things have settled down, alot of people do x
That's terrible 😕....Although my doctors do issue rescue pack....I also order from my pharmacy ( as they know me so well ..lol🫣) if doctors are closed. Half day training!!! I know training...🐕 Gnasher
There are quite a few surgeries picking up on this. My doctors have a day per month for training as well, you have to laugh x
😆 🤣 😂 😹...lzb1....you have to laugh or die trying to get to see 1😜😱🫣.x🐕Gnasher
Maybe forgotten how to effectively be a doctor since the start of covid
They (the GP Surgery) Sgould be following NICE recommended treatment. If they fail to give rescue pack AND your unable to talk to a Dr same day- there could be a case for. Failure in Duty of Care.
We need to stop treating medics as Gods . . They are far from it and don’t know it all like some of the think.
Speak or write to practice manager regarding the Rescue Pack. Give them a chance to reply in writing .
I spoke to alot of people at the time and their advice was that rescue packs covered severe copd patients only . I have bronchiectasis and had less than 2 exacerbation per year. Their advise was that if you feel an infection coming on then contact the surgery and they would decide on treatment that day. I am lucky now that I don't suffer them as I once did x
Hi Yvonneh! Hope things go ok at your appointment.
I am told by my respiratory team, to take the pred. first and if it doesn't calm down then to take the ABs 🙄 all different!
I am one of the lucky ones: I have ABs and Pred. on my repeat prescription! I think that after 45+ years, they have realised that I am a very determined lady!
Hope all is well soon xx
There is a different management for both drugs. The Prednisone six are taken in morning and antibiotic regulated throughout the day.
Ahh! I think you may have misunderstood me. I meant I take the Prednisone for a few days or so to see if that sorts it out , before deciding whether I need the ABs or not. But thank you xx
Thankyou 😊I’m hoping it not a wasted journey as the person I spoke to yesterday (111)said they couldn’t give me anything else if the chest infection was gone as I’ve had both antibiotics and steroids now 🤷♀️ I did state it’s the aching at top and back of chest now that’s bothering me …. Thankyou for your kind reply 😊xxxx
Better safe than sorry,another few days of antibiotics/ steroids shlld help × settle inflammation. Sometimes aches are muscular from the coughing exacerbations cause but I'd err on side of caution.hope appointment is worthwhile xx
Thankyou patk1 😊 I don’t usually get the achyness in the very top of my chest it’s usually the bottom half and back if you no what I mean. I’m very grateful for everyones reply thankyou 🥰xxx
I had a chest infection which was not cleared, had to take another course to completely clear it. The doctor told me sometimes it needs. More than one course. The steroids should be taken together with antibiotics.
Sound like a competent doctor.
Hello Yvonneh1234,
Do you use an albuterol inhaler? My last flare was just like yours and after a visit to urgent care, the practitioner told me to use my albuterol inhaler every 4 hours while awake for at least a week. It made a big difference. I had never been told this before. Perhaps ask your practitioner if this would be a value to you. Hope you feel better soon! Angie
Is that the blue inhaler ? If it is the doctor mentioned that to me this afternoon to up it For at-least 5 days Thankyou for your advice 😊xx
Yes the blue one. Glad they mentioned upping it, made a world of difference since it helps with the inflamation. Blessings to you!
🥰xxx
hi just a quick update been to urgent care this afternoon doc put me on antibiotics and steroids again for another five days said he can still here a slight crackle in my right side even though gp said was clear last week and said it’s probably that my chest still inflamed a little 🤷♀️ either way I’m hoping this second dose kicks whatever it is up the bum and gets rid of it 😊. . . I just wanted to thank everyone for there time replying to me it’s very much appreciated 💕xxx
I'm glad you've been seen and treated.rest up,get well soon x
Thankyou patk1 🥰xx
Poor you. 4 days of steroids (with no tapering off) really isn’t enough to settle the tightness. I have Bronchiectasis and always have 5 days (30mg) followed by tapering by 5mg every 3 days! I would agree with others that you should go back to the go. Also ask for a review of you meds from hospital? Hope you start to feel better soon.
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