Respiratory Nurse update

[pollyjj]

Hi I am back from my assessment with the Respiratory Nurse she is someone I know as she is on the same Breathe Easy Committee.

The start was not too good, I had taken a cancelled appointment but no one had told her so she did not have my notes, the oximeter would not work properly because my hands and the room we were in were very cold, and the spirometary results I had taken from my last visit to the doctors was of no use because it was plus or minus 10%.

On the good side she took my blood pressure which was good and listened to my chest, she said I was a bit tight on the right side so would I take steroids for 5 days, she knows I hate them they make me ill, but I said I would.

I did a short walk test for her which showed her how breathless I become.

She thinks the headaches are carbon monoxide retention but is not sure why I am shaky as I am not using my Bricanyl too much, she also noted the change in my voice and that I had lost lots of weight. (I believe the weight loss is because I have had no steroids for over 18 months).

Conclusion

She believes it is natural progression of the Emphysema so when I go to RH next Thursday I will do the 6 minute walk and I am also tell them if I am feeling any different after the steroids and they will relay that back to her.

She is going to speak to my consultant with a view to getting a CT scan and spirometary done soon.

I am happy with the results so far.

polly xx