General advice please

[Lizn70]

Hi, I’d like to introduce myself, I’m Liz and a fit and healthy 49 year old who has never smoked. I was a passive smoker until the age of 21 and since then work in an area that does have smoke.

I noticed last year I was getting increasingly short of breath, and in January this year developed pneumonia which I got over following 2 courses of antibiotics. My breathing never improved so I had a lung function test and my FEV1 is 50%. I’m currently waiting to see the respiratory consultant to find out what’s going on. I assume I’m going to have a diagnosis of COPD.

In the meantime can you please kindly give me advice on how to maintain the best of my health. I seem to remember someone saying pineapple juice and actimels help with breathing? Or did I dream it!

Any advice greatly received.

Thanks all

Liz

[Hidden]

Get tested for genetic alpha one antitrypsin

[Lizn70 in reply to Hidden]

My gp is not allowed to do the test, so I’m assuming the respiratory consultant will. Thank you

[zorro1 in reply to Lizn70]

Several of my family members have been tested for Alpha 1 via our GPs. We are all with different practices in England and Wales. Your consultant should arrange the test given your symptoms and history but if not, worth pushing to have it done. All the best.

[peege]

Actimels are a bit of a waste of money. You can get capsules of different levels of probiotic which are supposed to aid the immune system. (I do take them daily. 10 billion when well, 20 billion when unwell or before & after antibiotics).

Don't know about pineapple juice - except it interferes with several medications ie statins.

Healthy weight, healthy clean food, regular exercise a no breathing exercises as well as tips above on avoiding germs are the way to go - along with regular health checks of course.

I sympathise, I don't know how I haven't got copd having also been forced to breath cigarette & pipe smoke all my asthmatic childhood but amazingly I haven't.

Whatever they diagnose and prescribe, something to remember is that it's not one size fits all. We are all different. One inhaler can be fantastic for me but not someone else.

Good luck with everything. P

[Caspiana]

Hi Liz and welcome to this supportive place. 😁

I hope your lung consultant will be able to shed more light on your condition. You mentioned having pneumonia, and your breathing not returning to what it was. This is pretty normal, our compromised lungs once hit by infection takes ages to really heal and unfortunately sometimes can't fully pick up from where we left off.

Keep as active as you possibly can, eat well and healthy, stay away from fumes and smoke, if you have pets try and keep them well groomed, take all meds as prescribed, love and pamper yourself and stay away from Dr. Google.

Please do let us know how you are doing.

Best wishes,

Cas xx 🌿🌼

[Lizn70 in reply to Caspiana]

Stay away from Dr Google! I like that 🤣

Thank you Cas 👍

[Ribbon2079]

Hi Lizn70 Pineapple juice may help with coughing. A report states that it does have the nutritional properties that suggests that it may assist in helping to stop coughing. It does have an enzyme that aids in the fight against inflammation and pain so that is a great combination in itself!!!

[Inamoment]

My ex wife had pneumonia and afterwards just kept coughing. She has now been told she has bronchiectasis. She found if she had any chocolate, tea, coffee or cheese she would start coughing a few minutes later