Before Christmas I had flu like symptoms and went to my GP who gave me antibiotics. Finished the course but the cough just went on and on and I finally went back and saw a locum doctor that I'd not seen before. Told him about my cough and the fact that I was "wheezy". He said I had COPD and sent me for a chest X-ray and just prescribed the blue inhaler (Salbutamol/Ventolin) and told me to make an appointment with the practice nurse to learn how to use it. Bearing in mind that at this stage I had no trouble breathing but was just exhausted from all the coughing.
Next day I saw the nurse and she did a Spyrometer test which I know I probably didn't do too well on because of all the coughing and wheezing. She gave me another course of antibiotics and also gave me Forsair saying take 2 puffs morning and evening.
I only used it a couple of times as the word "steroid" worried me. A week later, after I'd finished the antibiotics (and stopped having the odd ciggie and kept to my Vape thing that I was using mostly anyway) my cough was gone and I felt fine. No more wheezy chest and I don't and never have had noticeable breathlessness.
I had an appointment with the same nurse for my diabetic review and I told her that I didn't think I needed the Forsair and she just said to cut it down to one puff twice a day.
So here I am a couple of months later, no cough, no wheezing, no feeling that I need to use the Ventolin and haven't used the Forsair. I'm 74 and have chronic back pain but I get out walking most days and I can keep up a reasonable pace and hold a conversation without any problem.
My question is - have I got COPD? Was the locum GP too quick to make this diagnosis? If I'm not breathless does it mean I haven't got it or is it silently building up without me knowing? Should I be using the Forsair as a preventive measure or don't I really need it?
I'd be very grateful for your thoughts.
I'm also waiting for a hospital appointment for tests on a suspicious breast lump which is giving me panic attacks but that's another story.
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Copey399
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Hi Corey, it seems to me like the locum was to quick to say it's COPD, I would want another spirometry test done, and examined properly. At least then you would know one way or the other. Please let us know how you get on,take care😊 Bernadette xx
Doctors are quick to diagnose COPD for people that have a history of smoking. Here in the states if you are a long term smoker it is almost automatic. I would also think in that case they are more than likely also correct with the diagnosis. I was Rx'd copd/emphysema a few years ago, since then I have quit smoking, but at the time I really didn't get breathless unless I ran or something but was wheezy. I really wasn't surprised , after all I smoked for 40+ years. I think it is a bit naive to think there aren't consequences.
Also, I doubt using a vape is really any better for COPD as you are still sucking water and other chemicals into your lungs. I have found that colds are much easier and pass without chest problems since quitting.
I would ask for another spirometry test whilst your chest is clear. It’s the only way I think to confirm or rule out COPD or asthma. Many people had bad flu ,lingering chest infections and cough last winter and I suspect some peeps could have been misdiagnosed with one thing or another.
Wow! I can't believe it was a year ago since I posted in here. My "suspicious breast lump" turned out to be cancer so I've since had a mastectomy, Radiotherapy and now on hormone tablets and bone meds. What a difference a year makes. I now can't walk far or do basic chores without being out of breath. I went back to my GP and she sent me to the Practice Nurse to have a spirometry test. (Apparently what I had before was just the lung function thing where you blow hard into the tube and try and get the red marker up as far as you can).
Anyway, my spirometry test was a disaster. As you all know it's in two parts. I did the first one of the 3 breathing slowly into the machine holding my nose and the nurse said it was good. Then she said she'd accidentally deleted it off the computer so we had to start again. While I was doing the new first one the little meter started sliding off the desk and she didn't notice so I stopped and caught it. Start again. The next one she said I wasn't doing it right. We had another go and it still wasn't right. Then she said she couldn't do the rest of the test because we hadn't got the first part done right.
She then prescribed me another daily inhaler called Spiolto Respimat. It's not like an ordinary inhaler, you have to twist it and it sends out a fine mist. I didn't like the sound of the side effects. It said caution if you have Glaucoma, which I do, plus a lot of other things and I have enough side effects to do with heart and lungs from the Radiotherapy and Letrozole I'm taking.
I really don't want to be pumping chemicals into my body that I may not need.
I still don't have a cough or any phlegm. Just the breathlessness when I exert myself.
So here I am, a year later, and know that I need to go back to my GP and see what she says. I'm so fed up with trips to hospital and doctors that I keep putting it off.
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