Advice sought...

[Pippers]

Any advice please, on what I should note on our first COPD follow-up appointment in a couple of weeks time. For instance FEV 1 reading...

[stone-UK]

Hi

If not already done so, ask about referral to pulmonary rehabilitation.

Check your inhaler techniques.

Ask about any new treatments that may be available. There are often new inhalers which are not automatically passed on. There’s always the presumption that if you don’t visit your GP, or have not been hospitalised. You have the condition under control. Question off course is “what is under control?”

[Pippers in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you stone-uk, I've noted that down; when working on Inhaler technique my husband uses his inhaler, I use my thumb, and the dog holds her breath ... we've noticed that with shaky hands some seem more easy to use than others. Take care...

[stone-UK in reply to Pippers]

Hi

There is a device available to assist in using inhalers.

weldricks.co.uk/products/ha...

Mist inhalers are best used with a spacer, available from your GP.

[Pippers in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you so much, I shall order one straight away; just having it handy will help increase confidence. We do have a couple of spacers, one with and one without a mask. So glad I found this site!

[CSimms452 in reply to Pippers]

Bless you!! Good reply! Hubby has this for 18 years now. Check the colour of the mucus! Clear is good, green is not. You will get used to this, being tired is normal. Keep doing as much as you can.

[Pippers in reply to CSimms452]

Thank you CSimms452, I shall bear that in mind. Most encouraging to hear that you husband has managed this disease for eighteen years...

[O2Trees in reply to Pippers]

Ive also managed copd and asthma for 18 years - this is not uncommon Pippers. And I was diagnosed well into the moderate stage so had clearly had copd for much longer. You'll be ok - lots of good tips here. Remember to pace yourself and try to enjoy the necessary rests - good books, magazines or dvds etc.

[Pippers in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you O2Trees, we were heartened by CSimms452's post and yours has emphasised how this is live with-able. We've books and cd's aplenty for winter months while right now he's working on pacing himself in the garden.

[soulsaver]

If you are interested in the spirometry numbers, ask for a copy of the results; FEV1 by itself is near useless.

[Pippers in reply to soulsaver]

Thank you soulsaver, I'll ask for that copy.

[lKeith]

Pippers

Hi, tell them that you have been exercising to keep your body fit, eating proper food (Not take away) and being active pacing yourself as much as you are able. If you smoke tell them that you are giving up. The review normally is to see whether you have taken heed of any of their advice.

IKeith

[Pippers in reply to lKeith]

Thanks IKeith, it's my husband that has COPD. He HAS stopped smoking, we've always eaten fairly healthily and he walks the dog every day, but I'm sure there's room for improvement and am working on it.