Second post today about myself, this time and visit to consultant.

[anng1814]

Hi again every one,

I visited the hospital consultant, who did not give me a spirometer test and wasn't too interested in the fact that my FEV1/FVC is going down (34% - last September).

He wanted to remove me from the hospital consultancy list, as I have not had a chest infection for two years - fair enough!

What puzzled me was when I asked him about these pains I get in my back when I do quite mild exertion and get a lot in the evening and after eating,l he told me that it was nothing to do with my lungs. Is he right? Again I am puzzled.

Any advice, most welcome

[O2Trees]

If he is so clear it's not to do with your lungs, then presumably he has an idea what it is to do with. What occurs to me is reflux since it seems to be connected to eating but of course we can't diagnose you here on the forum. He may have put something in the letter he will send to your GP so you could ask her/him. Lots of people with copd have reflux, often what is called silent reflux as if you have this you don't tend to get the standard symptoms like heartburn but the acid can leak into your airways. Check with your GP if it could be this. And insist on further investigations if you don't get a satisfactory answer. Good luck.

[anng1814 in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you for your help. I have a GP appointment arranged in ten days time.

[Hidden]

Not good enough, once you are removed of the list it is difficult to get back on, waiting time etc..you haven’t had the proper tests so not properly assessed, I would make a complaint.

[anng1814 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your advice. The problem is that, as yet, I appear to have had a very unsuccessful time with every consultant I have seen, as they have all been locums. One did not speak English, the next one did send me for tests, but she wasn't there again and the third one, who I saw 3 months after the tests did not know that I had had them and I had to force the results from him. The last consultant I had was the actual consultant! I am at a point where I feel that I would get further i I arranged a private consultation with a reputable lung consultant.

[Hidden in reply to anng1814]

If you feel you can go private and have a good medical insurance it is up to you.

However you are entitled to get good treatment. There may be other better hospitals in your area.

Why don’t you phone the British Lung Foundation helpline for advice? They will tell you what is best xx

Fran

[ledge]

It sounds like you may be suffering from reflux. not the common and garden heartburn type, but silent reflux or LPR reflux. This can cause the sort of pain you describe. However, reflux can cause lung problems - amongst other problems, so this does need addressing, and your gp can set you on the right path. Its not always a case of just PPIs being prescribed, as these will stop the acid, but reflux can be a mixture of gaseous stomach contents- (microaspiration) or plan acid, or a mixture of acid and bile.

Reflux can be caused by a histal hernia, which in any case, the ppi wont really do too much for as its a mechanical problem. Most people who have histal hernias have sliding hernias which means that the stomach pops up and pops back again.

Try small meals or eating little and often. Also try stay onto the consultants list as its a devil getting back- either way, see what your gp can do.

[anng1814]

Thank you very much for your advice. It makes a lot of sense.