Hi all diagnosed with COPD in march this year 2018 i nothing about this condiition all i know is the pain in both shoulder blades is unrelenting finding it hard to cope with, Breathing,cough fatigue dont have have fellow up appointment till 28th June to see Consultant so far had two CT scan because of two chest infections i should get result of scan on the 28th June what questions do i need to ask,Any tips would be very welcome because i guess i have a lot to learn thanks in advance Pat D.
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padefreitas
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Can't really help you to be honest i was told i have emphysema august 2016 after a routine ct scan looking for something else since then had no help. The best advice i can give is do loads of research and talk to others with and try to avoid colds.
If you live uk your docs should have monthly chest clinics you should have emergency numbers for chest nurses u get one off pneumonia injection and yearly flu jabs and if really struggling breath paramedics come out
The pain in your shoulder blades sounds like infection as that is where I get pain when I have a chest infection .Until you see the consultant try to stay healthy ,eat properly , stay away from coughs ,colds etc .You can live a very long time with COPD and it can be managed really well .Ask about Antibiotics for infection , maybe oxygen if things get too bad .There is a lot of help out there , your consultant should be able to tell you what's the next course of action .Try to exercise as well , there is nothing wrong with getting breathless as long as you can recover quite quickly .Good luck for your appointment later in June .Don't worry it's not a death sentence .
Love Babs ❣️
Ps if you haven't already and you still do , give up smoking ❤️
Hi Babs thank you for taking the time to respond to my post with all the postive comments i will try to be more active once i get the pain under control,Igave up smoking 8 years ago because of vascular problems yes gained lots of weight but started to lose it because the COPD i now know is causing the weight loss.Best wishes for your upcoming surgery
Thanks Pat and keep us informed as to how you get on with consultant . There are many on this site who have answers to many problems or just to give support .XXXlove Babs ❣️
Hi Pat and welcome to the club. The first thing I'd like to say is I wonder why you're waiting to see your consultant . Yes the consultant is seen every so often and he's the specialist but most of us see our GP between consultant appointments. Your GP can listen to your lungs to see if there's any crackling, ask what colour any sputum you may be coughing up, and generally tell if there's any infection going on. Please don't feel that you have to wait between consultant appointments. Take care, Sheila x
Good afternoon to you M hope your having a good Sunday,Yes good point about GP but I have one with problem who won't prescribe anything that cost him too much money Iam not being flippant it is the way he is. Hence me waiting to go back to see hospital doctor,Problems getting a new GP 2 large surgeries closed down in our area,What can happen if I have infection&cant get antibiotics untill end of June?Thank you M for your kind welcome to club also your time in responding to my plea for info.Take care M ️xx.
You persist you need medication ASAP my tablets I get for infection cost £850 FOR MONTHS SUPPLY but get off my docs and hospitals you stand your ground or phone paramedics they tell your doc will phone him for you don't just take this you need me d's give them gie till they take you seriously and best of luck so wish I could help you just hope you get well soon xox
Hi Gillian thank you so much for getting in touch i will try what you suggest but the GP is a law onto himself,Besides iam feeling worn out with this constant pain and
struggling for breath.I do hope you coping ok,Love Pat x.
Hi Pat and welcome. There is one thing I have learned from this site and that is to take no nonsense from anybody. Phone your doctors early and request a telephone call from your doctor, explaining how you are and that you need abs/steriods as you dont want any further complications. They will then need to see you for an examination, if you do have an infection your doctor cannot refuse medication, regardless of cost. Ask for a sample bottle which you can use in the toilet and give back to reception so that your mucus can be tested. Ask the consultant if they can request your doctor gives you a rescue pack so that you can deal with any future infections straightaway. My consultant put me in with a physio nurse who was very good and helped with breathing exercises and an acapella device which helps loosen the mucus, he also put me on mucodyne which again helps.
Write any questions down that you have so that you are prepared when you see the consultant. We are all different and some things might work better for you than others, seems to be trial and error. There are alot of very knowledgeable people on here that can give you some good advise. I wish you all the best and hope you get better soon. Irene x
HI padefreitas....I went undiagnosed for a long time because doctors refused to believe I had breathing problems then finally one prescribed me Ventolin. I was using 1 a week for a long time before I was given an x Ray and other meds. I struggled to walk as my legs were swelling up so much and by then my BP was sky high. No one seemed to bother and no one gave me a diagnoses so I just put up with it .....then I moved to another area and my new doc got me an apt with a consultant who said I didn't have Copd and ushered me out of his office like I was an annoying duck flapping his hands at me. A year later a respiratory nurse came to see me at home....and SHE got another consultant to organise a ct scan and sure enough my lungs by then were heavily scarred and with holes and when I was told I had severe emphysema my initial feeling was of relief . I was glad for heavens sake so the medical staff would know I wasn't a hypochondriac! Crazy huh? Anyway that sorry long tale was to tell you to see if there is a respiritory nurse in the practice as they may be able to help you. Good luck :))
I had therapist came my home helped with breathing exercises and showing me exercises to keep me mobile and helps getting mucus up if u live in uk u can get this also found my fatigue was due to vitamin deficiency I can't absorb b 12 get inject but needed other vitamin suppliers hope this helps lol
Hi there Pat, my husband Pat was also diagnosed in March 2018; having been treated with steroids since before Christmas the necessary spirometry to confirm diagnosis was delayed until then. Following that first appointment with the respiritry nurse we were given a six monthly appointment, but as he's having problems with sticky mucus I requested medication that requires a check up in one month. Rather dismayed at the six month interval we welcome this.
Like you we're learning, like you I found this forum, and like me I'm sure you'll find it hugely helpful, reassuring and encouraging.
Morning to you all and thank you for all your responces i really appreciate you taking the time for me.Well just back from seeing GP to be told best wait for result of ct scan when i see Consultant at the end of June told him about the consent pain in both shoulder blades&he took BP,listened to chest said just take paracetamol, Regards Pat x.
Hi padefreitas,I honestly think you should try and find yourself another doctor,I have had the same as you pain in the shoulder blades and straight away I was put on steroids and antibiotics.
Hi Susan thank you for responding to me, The problem is 2 large surgeries closed down last year my GP took all the patients on to his books so now its become difficult to get another GP for miles now,Take care of yourself Susan Love Pat x.
Are you in the UK /Europe.. .if you are breathless etc and your doctor is a **** !! Then just take yourself to A&E...youll get the antibiotics and steroids
Hi algorite yes Iam in the UK&yes my doctor is one of that type....!!.I had a locum listen to my chest he said it sounds clear so the pain iam experiencing&the breathing difficulties can only be explained when I get the CT results.Thank you for taking the time for me I do hope your coping ok.Take care x Pat.
I'd ignore them lol and go to A&E anyway, if u r short of breath they should do an ECG, chest x-ray and obviously of owt shows up you'll get the right meds. Must be so frustrating for you although saying that it's taken 5yrs for me to be referred to a consultant and it was an A&E doctor that referred me NOT my gp!! Hope u get sorted soon x
P.s just go to westen gen. As they deal with c.o.p.d . I have all med i need painkiller valiam. Inhalers . And sleeping tablets you. Will have you blood done and obs done if you need. Med they give to you. The tables you been told to take wont work.
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