Nursew says I have COPD

[bevweekes]

New to this site, Just had asthma check & the nurse said I have the lungs of a 76 yr old, I,m 56. She says I have COPD, but have to go see the doc tomoz for a proper diagnosis.am on ventolin & Seretide 125 at the moment. She was so curt about it. What am I to come up against tomoz.

[Jo_BLFHelpline British Lung Foundation]

Hi bevweekes

Welcome to the forum - firstly try not to worry about the lung age - it really has no relevance to how healthy or unhealthy a person's lungs are. It is mainly used to encourage people to stop stopping, or if they have already stopped to stay stopped because it has a shock factor.

I am presuming the nurse gave you a proper spirometry test? Have you been ill recently, or been on antibiotics or steroids for your chest? If so then really a spirometry test shouldn't be done for about 6 - 8 weeks. Did the nurse say what the doctor is going to do tomorrow?

It may be worth writing a list of questions to take to your GP tomorrow - is the GP going to repeat the test? If COPD is confirmed by the GP then it can be really useful to ask what stage, is it mild, moderate etc, does the medication help you.

I know this is probably an awful lot to take in, our helpline is open Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm - please feel free to give us a call before and after your appointment, we may be able to answer any questions you have - 0300 030 555.

Best Wishes

Jo

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to Jo_BLFHelpline]

Stop stopping is ok but it's better to stop smoking !

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Hi and welcome bevweekes. Although a doctor can give a god diagnosis I think it's better to get referred to a pulmonary consultant at a local hospital as they have better equipment and can give a better diagnosis and get you on the correct medicines. I learnt the hard way.

[zaney in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

Puffthemagicdragon , How the heck do you get referred to a consultant , i have severe copd and cant get reffered or get a scan or find out what type of copd i have !, what stage do you need to be at .? Su x

[Hidden in reply to zaney]

I went to the docs mid February this year cos I thought I had another bout of pleurisy (having had it before) she arranged an x-ray at the hospital and a lung function test at the surgery.

When I went back for the results she asked had I been diagnosed with copd which I hadn't she then just referred me to heart and chest outpatients. My appointment at hospital was on 7th March, I did another lung function test and the consultant looked at the x-ray and confirmed it was emphysema and asthma. The consultant put me on a list for pulmonary rehab I have my assessment appointment on 16th April. Sounds like I have been very lucky with the speed of all my appointments and diagnosis. I have stopped coughing and the phlegm has vanished (first time in about 5 years) since starting my inhalers. Still feel breathless when trying to do chores and very tired and lethargic. But very grateful not to be coughing

[Polly63 in reply to zaney]

I had been blue light into hospital, breathing difficulties. The consultant treating me then took me on his caseload.

I go to pulmonary rehab. I think it is excellent

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to zaney]

Tell your doctor you want it.The stage you're at doesn't matter. Call the helpline here and get their advice. My doctor was so useless that I changed him for another. He got me the appointment.

[rusty4ever in reply to zaney]

same here zaney have only ever seen the nurse yet if it was a different chronic illness you would automacticaly be refered to a specialist x

[123podmore]

they found COPDemphysema and bronchiectases by scan ,don't worry,

[chrissie53]

zaney, took me a yr to get to see a consultant,,doc could not understand why i wanted to see one,,but seeing her last month was great,,not only has she changed my inhalers,,my x-ray showed an abnormality in my heart so now have to go see another specialist..but no app till end aug...so please push for a app with consultant from your doc and don,t take no for a answer

[Hidden]

Dont worry to much bev,,your nurse could have been a bit better most are excellent,,when you see the doc,,,dont be afraid to ask questions thats what they are there for....If you have anything you are not sure about dont hesitate to ph the BLF helpline,,good solid sound advice,,,,,,

[yesilkedi]

Best of luck tomorrow & try not to worry, (easy for me to say I know. )

[1968]

Good luck for tomorrow, ask loads of questions on here and they will be answered.

Dont worry about things, try not google your ilness as some site will fill you with worry and the incrorrect information, call the BLF for the right info.

If you smoke you must stop as this will be the best thing you can do for yourself.

David

[bevweekes]

Thank you all so much for your advice & comments, it's nice to no i'm not alone & I wish you alll well. Just going to phone the BLF .. Again thank you soooooo much. B

[rusty4ever]

when i went to the practise practioner nurse for a cold i was basically told the copd was my thought and she had been very ill with another condition and look at my husband puffing away didnt lift her head though when i replied he had not touched a cigarette in 3yrs i now refuse to see her i know the copd is my doing if i could turn the clock back i would but dont need it to be rubbed in our face a lot of illneses are caused by the way we live and yet are not treated like some are with copd it makes us feel like lepers xx