didn't do anything only tell me off because I was a smoker. no compasson at all. came out crying.
been to docters today have copd . fee... - Lung Conditions C...
been to docters today have copd . feelling breathless.
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sharon18
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52 Replies
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Oh Sharon I feel for you. It must have been terrible. Are you still smoking?
Do you mean you was a smoker or still a smoker? if you are still smoking try to stop . which ever way round it is doesn't give a gp the right too be rude to you ,anything you would like too ask we are here for you take care xxx
no I stoped in jan2014 thank you.
Hi Sharon, firstly, well done on stopping smoking as that is the single most helpful thing that you can do to slow the progress of this condition. Your doctor had no right to be rude to you and you will find that you may need a doctors support in the future, so if it was me I would be looking for a more sympathetic doctor.
Secondly, it is a scary diagnosis at first. I got diagnosed about 4 or 5 months ago and today have just climbed out of a great black pit. Everything was going wrong. Anyway that's enough about me. In the morning click on the red balloon where a helpline number will appear. If they are busy they will ring you back and take all the time in the world to answer all your questions. They also have factsheets and guides that they can send to you.
And Thirdly, you are never alone. There are many many people on this forum who are far worse off than we are and manage to hold down jobs, raise their family and go holidays and far more besides. No doubt they will be giving you some good advice. There will be times, when you are unwell and you will get down on yourself, but this forum is here 24/7 so there will always be someone around. The main thing is that you do not smoke at all, not ever. I know it is not easy, but it is essential. The other things are exercising, and a good diet. You should also contact your local physiotherapy department or respiratory nurse to ask about pulmonary rehabilitation courses. They vary in their content from area to area but generally last about 6-8 weeks. You will be individually assessed by a physio and nurse to see how much exercise you can do, be taught new breathing techniques and given lots of advice. I have not been on mine yet but my physio told me all about it. I am top of the list when it starts again. You take care and phone the helpline. hugs xx
thank you hugs your kind words will help me a lot I am going to see if I can change docters altogether.as none of them have much compassion.
Hi again Sharon,
I have just read your post that you were "diagnosed" with copd a year ago? By your description it sounds as if you have not had any tests? You need a spirometry test at the very least and possible referral to a respiratory consultant. You do not mention any medication either. It is essential to have some sort of inhaler if you have asthma or copd. I have both and am on 3 different inhalers. When they finally decided that I had copd it was the Spiriva inhaler which made the world of difference to me. I also have a preventative inhaler (seretide 500) and ventolin when required.
I am glad you have made the decision to change your GP as we all need the best support we can get. Good luck with this and the helpline opens at 10 a.m. so remember to contact them too. They will give you reassurance as well as the other support stated in my previous answer. hugs xx
thank you suzy. I wont go to see that docter anymore.
Sharon, how do you know you have COPD ? has it been diagnosed by a doctor? and if so are you on any medication for COPD ?
I am shocked that your doctor has not offered you any help for your breathlessness,
You did the right thing by stopping smoking, but you do now need some help in controlling your COPD
Did the doctor you saw listen to your chest ?
I was told I had copd 12 months ago.docter did excmine my chest but was banging things down on her desk as if she was annoyed about somethink.as I was goig out she just said you bettermake a appointment with ashma nurse.and that was that'
I am so sorry that your doctor treated you like this. But she cannot have been cross with you Sharon just having a bad day. Do make an appointment with the asthma nurse but also if the breathlessness continues go back & see perhaps a different doctor. Ask if you can be referred to a chest clinic as with COPD you will need to learn how to cope with the disease read the posts on this site that will help you. Also phone the blf nurses who are really helpful. Lots of luck. Sohara
Hi Sharon
Welcome to the forum.
You have done so well to quit smoking and the doctor should have been giving you a big pat on the back ! He should have been giving lots of positive encouragement to stay quit .
I was diagnosed 6 months ago and quit shortly after . It hasn't been easy but the health benefits have been really good. I now generally feel fitter and healthier than I have for years .
You have done the most important thing in quitting.....they say this can pretty well halt/slow down the progression of the disease. The other things are plenty of exercise and a healthy diet . My doctor says that the fact that I am generally quite fit is now helping to compensate for my lack of lung function. Don't get me wrong I'm no Olympic athlete but I do quite a lot of walking , gardening and recently started pilates. I am 63 and female.
There are lots of members on here who live active and happy lives. Someone said in a previous post that its important to take charge of copd rather than letting it take charge of you .
Cheers Coastal .
Hi Sharon Well done for not smoking you are doing really well. Go back to the surgery and ask which doctor specializes in lung conditions or just see a different GP and explain you are no longer a smoker and would have expect ed an improvement in your lungs. Best of luck to you Irene
Please ring the helpline in the morning and ask the nurses for advise. The whole diagnosis sounds dreadful and you deserve better. Click on the red balloon the helpline have some fantastic leaflets and will give you good advise. Good luck TAD xx
sharon18 in reply to
thank you iwill ring blf.
Disgraceful way to speak and not treat a patient. You deserve better. As advised by your new friends (welcome by the way) contact BLF and defo see a different doc. cx
the blf number is, 03000 030 555, ring at 10 am and a nurse will help and advice you Sharon,and try to change to another doctor,nice to have you with us,xxx
At my surgery the problem ive got is not being able to see the same doctor.I know it is not always possible to see the same one but i went for chest xrays last dec.I knew i had asthma but recently through other health problems i was housebound and couldnt get to the surgery.The gp rang me not my usual one as i wasnt feeling well he asked me how i felt and i told him my breathing wasnt as it was.He said i got a chest infection and prescribed me steroids and antibiotics.This has happened 3 times no examination.Last week mt gp rang me and told me ive got copd What a shock.I feel if i had been examined the copd might have shown up.I went for 1st lot of tests which showed at 43 and severe is between 40 and 50.Im waiting to go to the hospital now for more tests.
Hello and welcome sharon18. Change your doctor. I did , a couple of years back now, and I'm a hell of a lot better off. The new one is a great chap and listens. My new doctor got me to see a pulmonary consultant quite quick which is , in my opinion, the only true way of getting a correct diagnosis and the correct medicines for you.
thank you iam trying to change to a different surgrey if I can.
Hi Sharon18
I'm new to COPD so don't really have any advise to give, however if you are in a group practice I would suggest you see a different GP. I was recently diagnosed and my treatment was poles apart from the disgraceful way you have been treated.
February saw GP with chest infection that seemed to clear up, April back to GP with another chest infection this time also short of breath, was given slip to go to walk-in-centre for chest X-Ray, I week later chest X-Ray repeated at local hospital and appointment made for CT scan and appointment to see Consultant who explained I had chronic bronchitis and emphysema. GP calls it (COPD) I've been seeing my GP weekly trying to get on top of the infections- and will be having a pulmonary re-hab assessment in July.
I don't know if I've just been lucky or if the way I've been treated is standard but please see another doctor because there is a lot they can do to help and a lot of advise they can give for you to help yourself.
Good luck x
Hi there all.
This really makes me boil who do these Doctors think they are,who put them on the high horses that they think they are on,the older Doctors do sympathise with us because most of them used to smoke I have given up for over twelve years now but of course the damage was done.I only go got 25% of my lungs working,I phoned Age Concern to help me with the forms to try and claim for PIP but was told dont waste our time you only have Emphysema,I have never met the person on the other end of the phone so how do she know how bad I am.
It took me 2 years to get a spiro test as they would put all my breathing problems down to my heart conditions. That then proved I had RLD was then put in to see a consultant that did more in depth tests and confirmed it again along with PAH. Besides the lack of interest in my 10 year asbestos exposure they are explaining my condition and prognosis.
Your doctor even if they are under pressure and had a bad day when you were there need to have compassion and understand their actions affect you.
Be Well
it shouldened happen even if they are having a bad day icmme out of the docters feelling a lot worse than I whent in very upset.
in reply to Offcut
I do so agree offcut...they should...and need...to put any personal problems aside and not take it out on patients...
hi gibbo thank you for your reply. they just don't understand .I don't like age concern .what a terrible response.good luck.
I am so sorry you have been treated like this. I am of an age when i remember doctors having a cigarette on the go during a consultation! I agree with everyone else about you changing surgeries if you can. I not, you definitely need to have breathing tests done. I am blessed with a very good Nurse Practitioner who specialises in lungs....she supports me all the way, and knowing she is there gives me confidence. I wish you well...try not to be too frightened and START MAKING DEMANDS!
Hi Sharon& welcome,sorry you have been treated somewhat unfairly by the Doctor,do hope you can change this,you have been very well advised,reading the comments above,do hope you act on it.Good luck with it all,love Wendells xxx
sharon18 in reply to
thank you wendells.
What a neanderthal response Sharon - hope you can change surgeries successfully, ask neighbours friends etc for feedback on their surgeries. Apart from getting the best medication for you, the thing which has helped most of us most is pulmonary rehab (PR) as huggs says above. You can ask your (hopefully new) doctor to refer you for a PR assessment and in some areas you can call the respiratory team direct and self-refer. PR is clinically proven to be very effective in increasing your mobility and general functioning, managing the condition and slowing its progression. Best of luck.
Oh Sharon I feel for you. Well done on stoping smoking, if I were you I would try and change your doctor, to someone with some understanding and compassion.
I to was a smoker of 20 years and now have copd but I have a very good doctor.
I am going to try to change practice if I can,thank you.
Hi Sharon and welcome to this forum. Someone has just beaten me to it but I was going to suggest you ask friends, neighbours, relatives etc about their Dr's so you can hopefully work out which would be the best surgery for you to try and register.
Anyone can change their GP without giving a reason.
You also need to ask to be referred to a Respiratory Consultant so you can have the correct tests to give you a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Thankfully I have a brilliant GP and excellent Respiratory Consultant.
Good Luck
Thérèse xxx
sharon18 in reply to
thank you iam going o see about changing gp.
Congratulation on stopping smoking, it was the hardest part!
Unfortunately you have faced what many people end up trying to deal with, attitude.
I was diagnosed 12 years ago and have found that there is really little knowledge in the general medical community about the disease.
As other have said, you need to find a good GP you are comfortable with. You should also get referred to a Respiratory Specialist that you can see on at least twice a year. You need to get a Spirometry test to determine the degree of impairment of your lungs and that should be reported every 6 months to a year to verify your COPD is somewhat stable. The change in values will track changes positive or negative so that you can take action.
Regardless of you hear, there is still a lot of life left to enjoy and COPD does not end that!
sharon18 in reply to
iam going to try and find another gp.everone has been so helpful. thank you.
Sack that doctor straight away Sharon and register with another practice - they are getting money for the treatment (courteous at least, caring if possible) of every patient on their books, and everyone deserves better than you've had.I had to leave the practice I'd been with for more than seventy years because things had changed so much so do it now, don't wait until you need to see a doctor again.
change doctor. you deserve better. seems like a dinosaur to me, 1 in 5 people with copd have never smoked even one cigarette !
sharon18 in reply to
I am ging to try and change surgrys thank you
HI Sharon18, welcome to the site, sorry to hear you have felt dejected by your doctor. Sadly many doctors are opinionated about smoking, just as other people in general are. However they should help you with your health problems no matter what not be judgemental. Well done for giving up you will feel better for it and I hope you soon find a doctor who will not upset you about being an ex smoker and come and chat to us. I am an ex smoker of nine years, but still get frowned on for ever smoking. Take care
thank you Katie.
Hi Sharon I am sorry your doctor had no compassion for you, I smoked for 34trs and gave up 6yrs ago, by going to Allen Carr Easyway Clinic, whish is like hypnotherapy, its a lot of money at once but you will have saved that money back in a month, if you smoked like I use to. I have several friends that have been and who I recommended to and they all have stopped this way. There are Clinics all over England. so please go on line and see if one is near you. I hope this is helpful for you. Rose
thank you I will get in touch with the clinic.
Years ago we did not know the deanger of smoking in fact it was fashionable then so don;t blame yourself; I have stopped - was not easy but did it; Hiope its not too late! I used every exvuse under the sun to keep smoking and enjoyed it especially the first one in the morning with big mug of sweet tea but that is all in the past now. Was Hard but would rather live than die. So please try to give up and be proud of yourself; It will be hard to say the least but well worth it, I feel for you; Good luck and don;t feel guilty.1 don;t feel guilty it was just the thing to do and we did not know the harm it was doing. You will be fine,
stop thinking its your fault. None of us is perfect. Just keep trying and that makes you a very good person.
forgot to tell you that I felt the same . You are quite normal and sound like a really nice honest person and that is all credit to you.,Keep your chin up amd be proud of yourself please; Its very difficult but do your best and that is all hyou can do. My good wishes are with you.
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