I'm new here and rather scared to be on the site. First time for me.

I've been diagnosed with copd moderate stage and cant get my breathing under control whatsoever. Dr. has tried incruse ellipta and had bad sinus infection so took me off it and have just had the worst time with sprivia respimat. Thought I was having a heart attack. Only using my salbutamol handyhaler at moment. Has anyone any ideas or has anyone had any problems with these bronchodilators. Really could do with some help here. Panic attacks not helping either. I have a feeling of a very heavy head and lump in my throat dont know what to do.

[christina1947]

Hi dog12 please don’t be scared that’s just an awful feeling you will get sorted and be fine I got a lot of help and knowledge from this site as you will and as long as you are prepared to help yourself you can manage your condition you will be fine take care xxx

[Hidden in reply to christina1947]

Thanks christina. Can u tell me what inhalers u are using. I'm going to keep on site to meet as many people like u who understand. Thank you for your reply

[christina1947 in reply to Hidden]

Hi dog12 I know I have copd my spirometry was 69 a year ago but I chose not to go back for a diagnosis so I manage my condition myself from learning from this site so no meds and I am symptom free I am 72 You will learn and find the best treatment to manage your condition believe me I Take nac supplement vitamin D eat well. Keep away from dairy and all smoke what’s so ever. Most important exercise spinning twice a week walk when ever I can. Take care xxx

[Kerouac in reply to christina1947]

Hi Christina

I was really pleased to read your reply to dog12. I have been managing my copd in much the same way as you since being diagnosed 8 years ago. I go for a yearly check and was told... it is a little worse in one respect but better in another..not sure what to make of that. The nurse and friends tell me to take the preventative Fostair inhaler even though I don't feel the need. Use the blue one very very occasionally. Is it really necessary?

Your reply makes me think it could be possible to manage without medication which I would rather do

Best wishes

Kerouac

[Hidden in reply to christina1947]

High Christina how are u. I'm sitting today going through my posts and I remember u giving me a great response. My lung function is only 59 and yours is 69. Whst is excersise spinning and nac supplements. And could u tell me what vitamin d u take 2 or 3bor what. I'm trying to go down the healthy root as well as maybe needing a new inhalor. Trying so hard. Panic attacks still bad x

[Hidden in reply to christina1947]

Thanks christina I really appreciate your help and support today

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi christina well done u. My spirometry is only 59 which makes me moderate copd. Just going to phone dr. this morning. Being sick all weekend with phlem. This is happening first thing in the morning. Dont want meds just want to know how to deal with it. I'm so pleased to hear from you. Well done again. I'm just a scardy cat just now x

[knitter]

There are a number of different inhalers available , sometimes it takes a while to find the right one.

I would go back to your GP or practice nurse and they can advise you.

The BLF also has a helpline open during the week, office hours on 03000 030 555.

To ease panic have you tried the pursed lip breathing technique , it helped me yesterday when I had a panic attack ....lost my breath after doing too much gardening bending over.

Try a gentle breath in through your nose....gentle.....then a slightly longer breath out through pursed lips, then gentle nose breath in again and repeat a few times.

Best wishes,

[Hidden in reply to knitter]

Hi knitter thanks for your input. Will take your advice and phone blf today. Could u tell me how do I reply to all the posts together. I'm not good with this kind of thing online. There have been a few good replys to my post and I really appreciate them all so would like to ans all at once this time. Thanks again knitter

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hun, & Welcome. I'm with everyone here with the same advice. To say Thank you, Just click on the "Hand" to say "Like" we all know you have read the Replies. Hope you get sorted with GP or Nurse. One day at a Time and BREATHE Slowly in and Longer out through Pursed Lips. Hugs. xxxxx

[2greys]

Everyone is different and there is no, "one size suits all". You are not alone, many of us here have had the problem of not getting on with their first inhalers.. It really is down to trial and error with them. I have had two that have not been suitable. Go back to your GP, explain your reaction and get it replaced with another type.

[Hidden]

Thank u both for sending me quick replies tonight. I will get in touch with the surgery tomorrow and see if I can get an appointment. When I was there last week they just printed me outs lots of leaflets and I felt I was being dismissed by the nurse cause I was a ex smoker. Tried to get her to listen but no good the appointment was only for 10 mins. I'm already glad that I joined this site. I dont do social media or anything so scared people thought I was nuts the way I felt. I'm 64 female and feel quite alone at the moment. Need to stop feeling sorry for myself. Thanks to all again

[Balloo in reply to Hidden]

Hia hope you have luck with your doc . Don’t let them dismiss You buy a nebuliser. Yes this is do it your self . Vit D high protein not meat fish and as much exercise as you can manage . Book chat on blf help line . That breathing technique is fab needs bit practice.

[hypercat54]

Hi nice to meet you and welcome to the site. You are alone no longer as you have us now. I felt the same when I first joined and it does take a while to come to terms with your diagnosis. Whilst copd is progressive it doesn't necessarily progress quickly - I was diagnosed mild 11 years ago and am still mild.

Post about anything that is worrying you no matter how trivial you think it is and there will always be others here holding your hand. x

[Yogibreath]

please know that’s it’s normal to feel scared. Everyone when they get a diagnosis is. But the more you learn about your condition the easier that will be. Arm yourself with information that will give you more insight. Talk to your doctor and prepare questions for him/her. Join a group of that’s available. The people on here are lovely and very knowledgeable. Don’t be afraid you are not alone.

[Corin1950]

Hi and welcome to the site.

You could ask your doctor if there is a Pulmonary rehab course you could attend. It's a mix of exercise and learning about your condition usually run by the community respiratory team in your area. They assess you before and after and give you an exercise programme as a follow up. Most people find them invaluable.

The nurse should show you how to use the inhalers as there's a bit of a technique to using them. The leaflets will be useful but it's a lot to take in at once. The main things to take on board are to get your medication sorted, eat as well as you can, get some daily exercise, stay away from smoke and pollution and people with coughs and colds as much as you can and maybe take a vitamin supplement. You can be tested for vitamin D at your doctors but most people are short of it.

Wishing you well

Corin

[Badbessie]

Hi, welcome to the group. First of all being diagnosed can putyou in a scary place. From my own experience and reading other people's first post your anxiety is normal. I am also moderate but have very few problems with my breathing. When I was first diagnosed I like most had a few weeks of panick. After reading through posts I came to the conclusion that there was a lot I could do to help myself. Obviously I gave up smoking. After taking advice I started exercising I also started eating more healthily. The result was a pleasing improvement in my results. My first thoughts on reading you posts was that some of your problems are directly related to your Anxiety. I believe that that you need to speak with your GP to get help addressing this problem. Some of the symptoms you describe can be a side affect of the medication which your anxiety could be enhancing. As others have suggested perhaps pulmonary rehabilitation could be a help to you. It is not just about exercise. There is a great amount of information given about your condition plus education concerning medications.

[Hidden in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you thank you thank you. I agree with you about panic. I really am in a flap just now but dr. wanted to put me on antidepressents right away and that I dont want. I need my surgerys help and understanding to get to know as much as I can how to control this horrible illness but no such luck with them so far. I can only keep pushing them. I have also asked for rehab that you mentioned but have been told the waiting list is very long in my area aporox1 year. I know I need to build myself up and take control and feel a light now having been on this site. Take care of you and thanks for letting me offload x

[peter06]

If the surgery mess you about with long waiting times, just say thats no good I will be dead by then!

Insist on a Dr or Nurse who have knowledge and keep everyone informed on here

[Hidden in reply to peter06]

Thanks peter

[kpm346]

I use spiriva capsules and onbreeze they work for me. Tried spiriva respimat which did nothing for me and made my breathing worse. Maybe worth a try?

[lKeith]

Dog12

Hi, Th anxiety attacks could be helped by a tablet Lorazipam (I think it's called) helps to calm you down and therefore helps with he breathing. I use 3No inhalers + a nebuliser and various other meds. The inhalers are the favourite, ventolin in the blue casing, Spiriva and Fostair, mostly through a large spacer so more of the ingredients go into the lung.

If your are calmer and able to " rest"these inhalers should be OK for you and you should notice an improvement.

IKeith

[ssafa]

I think we have all panic problems at times. someone has suggested breathing exercises and I agree. One other helpful place is your chemist, they are knowledgeable about actions and reactions. I hope you can progress as the aim is to live with it, not to be taken over by it. Good exercise and sleep is another must do.

Take care.H

[Hidden in reply to ssafa]

Thank you for your comments. All the support I have had in the last 2 days has been very welcome from everyone on this site. I agree I'm panicking and I am trying the excersises for breathing that people have said and will continue with them. Thinking of trying yoga until my dr can get me on this rehab programme. Thank you for your kindness.

[ssafa]

Good luck if you are not happy then make sure you go back. Cheers