Do you have COPD? What level of care ... - Lung Conditions C...
Please select all that apply:
Happy to have completed the survey but would just point out that Q's 3 and 7 are not so clear cut. Q3 (offering smoking cessation support) does not apply as I gave up five or six years ago, although I am sure I would be offered support were I a smoker. As regards Q7, it would only apply to those with mild/ moderate COPD, as those who are severe or very severe should be having 6 monthly check ups - including spirometry - usually held at their GP practice with their respiratory nurse. Those of us on oxygen should also be having six monthly home visits from our Specialist Respiratory Nurse to check sat's and oxygen usage and to make adjustments to our 02 prescription as and when necessary. In light of these shortcomings, the survey cannot determine whether severe and very severe copd patients are receiving adequate care and therefore the resulting data cannot be trusted.
Totally agree with that,
I am checked every month at the moment to get my meds sorted.
At present i am on "onbreze 150 microgram once a day"
25 micrograms of salmeterol 4 times a day and salbutamol as and when i need it if i am out walking or shopping.
I have another review in december as i am at risk of a stroke.
Can I enquire with a pertinent question:
How many smokers do not achieve cessation on diagnoses of a lung condition ?
From personal experience a cigar was no longer a pleasure indulged with a large Brandy. On the contrary the uncontrollable coughing was a source of acute embarrassment / pain that required smoking cessation before confirming the families suspicions regarding a smokers cough.
Last data I read on this, and it was in one medical journal or another I can't remember which, but between 30-40% of diagnosed COPD patients continue to smoke. Very sad.
Difficult telling where the truth is when some lie about stopping and the BLF has missing millions that have yet too be told they have COPD smoking because it wont be them that get ill.
Completed survey , and have now realised that on the Isle of Man , we are being very well supported. Got into system after 12 days in ITU January this year so perhaps had a sudden introduction into system. Have quit smoking since March , found free clinics very helpful. (Used patches & spray ) Lovely sunny day here , out to enjoy it !
I think I am somewhat late in answering this but I agree with others that noticed the lack of clarity in the questions which would produce potentially misleading data. I gave up smoking some years ago but how does Q3 address this? Q7 does not apply to those of us with severe copd, as we have 6 monthly check-ups. Also it does not distinguish between primary & secondary care professional input. I wonder what the research is trying to determine & whether the outcome will be flawed.
None of the above
my vote to almost all,,,[i cant deny the help i have had and still getting,]
i just wish there was a question "are you happy with your gp and the way he or she handles things"
as since changing my gp, she has been so wonderful, supportive and easy to talk to,,,,,and listens!!!! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,makes things happen, when she "pushes the button" so to speak,,,jimmy
My COPD (emphysema)was picked during a scan as I was initially diagnosed and being monitored because of my asbestosis.My respiratory tests even now say i have a larger than average lung capacity (115% with 2 lung diseases!!) I think mainly due to having always partaken in sports. My problem is transferring oxygen into body!!! Big fuel tank but blockage in fuel line !!! The support from the BLF Nurse has been great Thankyou
One year ago I was diagnosed COPD 3,but through stopping smoking,exersize,and diet I had my last tests and went from 3 down to 2 which as you know is an improvment-.
Hi, you are lucky to live in Holland I think?
Do you think you can write a new post about your excellent improvement Thomlin?
It would be very encouraging for people over here to know how you got the improvement that saw in another reply of yours. It would be a very good model for the UK to adopt. In some areas we're only offered PR course when really bad. I was lucky and got one early but only two hours, twice a week for six weeks :(. Is your healthcare free?
Best wishes, Peeg
ps this original post is 6 months old so not many people will see your great news 
Hi peeg, First off no our health care isn't free ,I wish ,ha ha but then again when you need help it is exellent ,if I dont like the doctors or hostpitals here (Which I do )I can go to Belgium as well,the COPD Clinic is one of the best in the world ,They and Harvard in America,and London University have just found out through tests over a year that the 6Minute walk that we all have to do when entering the clinic can diagnose how bad you will be in the future with COPD.It's a killer in the start ,I have a friend in England who told me of his experiance so I think it sounds about the same as our help .I got 4 months at 3 times a week for 4 hours of threaphy after the three day clinic,the exersize machines were hooked up to the computer in the Clinic so all progress or lack of was instantly read .There was exersizes every day for the muscles in between the ribs and also a lot of Cardio ,bike and tred mill ,of course the most important thing was you had to really want to try and improve yourself ,I seen a few going through the motions but not really taking on board that it was for there own good .I hope this helps anyone out there just getting started ,most important ,get stuck in and help Yourself .
ha ha sorry peeg my great news ,through working my butt off I have gone down from a copd3 to a copd2 sounds like a trouser size doesn't it ha ha .
Always had asthma,the last few years have changed into exacabations n hospital,but no diagnose or help from surgery nurses apart from yearly check up ..waste of time....so I have a yrly review soon.....last chance to treat me or diagnose me,if not......change surgeries,7yrs is to long without some help.
Not alot
