Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with mild COPD in November last year. I was brought up in a pub in the days when everyone smoked. I was a smoker myself too. Gave up 13 years ago. Anyway, in November the respiratory nurse said I shouldn't need to use the spirva dry powder, but was told to use the blue ventolin as and when required. At first I was fine, joined a gym too and started to eat better, even losing a few pounds. I was using the inhaler only a few times a week but definately at the gym. At this point I should say, my doctor had thought for a while that I had exercise induced asthma! I'm still not convinced I have COPD, however the lasts they did revealed I had a lung function of 86%.
I've just been on holiday, getting back just last week so catching up on things and falling off the wagon with diet and exercise. I'm now finding that I'm using the inhaler 4/5 times a day. I feel rubbish and very tired. To be truthful I'm getting really worried and don't quite know what my next step should be. Is it possible for my condition to be deteriorating this quickly. I work full time but not due to go back for two weeks. I'm worrying that I'm not gunna be able to work.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks......Deb
It is unusual for someone with COPD to have only a ventolin inhaler. I would be asking to see a respiratory consultant. You can ring the BLF nurses to ask advice on 03000 030 555 during office hours.
That's the only inhaler my gp prescribed for me despite having a fev1 of 38%. Some GPS give you the cheapest first and hope you go away!
Do you still only have the one?
No I asked to see a consultant, but there was a delay of several months for an appointment so I went privately and saw a consultant 10 days later who checked my spirometry again it had gone down to 28%. He put me on spiolto respimat immediately . I haven't looked back since