Mild COPD with Seretide 125

[PurpleAlf]

So things are getting confusing. My FEV1 is 70% which by any UK guidelines I have read is moderate. However my patient notes state all the spirometry results and declare that I have mild copd (which I am happy to accept!). I have been put on Seretide 125 twice a day and Salamol. I spoke to the BLF nurse and she said that, although unusual to be put on steroid medication for mild copd, I may be on that medication to see if I have any inflammation from allergies. I mentioned to my nurse that I thought I may have developed hay fever as my breathing always got worse in spring/summer. Has anyone else been put on steroid inhalers whilst still mild?

[hypercat54]

Yes I was until the Gold Standard was introduced a couple of years ago. It states on this that only those in stage 3 and under should be on steriod inhalers. I was changed from Symbicort to one without steroids, although the nurse did say that if I need Symbicort it could still be prescribed.

They also changed the criteria for copd (this was arounf 6 years ago) - before then it was 89% and under to be classed as mild copd. Then it was altered to 79% and under for mild instead. x

[PurpleAlf in reply to hypercat54]

I have an appointment on Monday with the doctor and am going armed with a whole host of questions from the BFL Nurse. The BFL nurse said that classification wasn’t just down to the FEV % but also other things like symptoms etc eg I have no cough. I am just hoping that the mild bit is right!

[hypercat54 in reply to PurpleAlf]

Don't worry about whether you are classed as mild or not as this isn't important. What is if your FEV1 and much more how you feel. x

[PurpleAlf in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks hypercat54, although I have my moments, in five days mainly due to this site, I have gone from being scared to thinking ‘sod you COPD, you aren’t going to deprive me of old age!’ (Apologies for language 😀

[hypercat54 in reply to PurpleAlf]

Ha ha me too! x

[2greys in reply to PurpleAlf]

Exactly the right attitude to take. Even with stage 3/4, I still push on with an almost normal lifestyle, I will not give in to it either. Also old age is relative, you are as old as you feel and I am only 17 and I will always be 17

[PurpleAlf in reply to 2greys]

17 - with acne & hormonal insecurities, I think I will go with 25 😂 I have a bunch of friends who are the same age as me. Each year we all decide how old we are going to be the next year. We do the big birthdays for the parties, prezzies etc but the rest are generally at least 10 years off 😂

[2greys in reply to PurpleAlf]

Acne, no. It is when I flew the nest, in charge of my own destiny though.

[flicky1]

Yes, I was put on Seretide 500 as I had had a few exacerbations. I was on it for year until advice given by a specialist GP at a meeting suggested that unless there is an asthma element it isn't best suited for those with COPD.

[PurpleAlf in reply to flicky1]

Morning flicky1 🌞 I have read the NICE recommendations and they recommending putting mild patients on it if there is an asthma possibility, like you say. I think I possibly do have asthma caused by hay fever, which is why the nurse is trying it on a very low dose. It’s a lovely day out there 🌞

[flicky1 in reply to PurpleAlf]

Should it turn out that you don't have asthma, I am on anoro ellipta which seems to be fine. I have hay fever but don't have asthma. Yes the sun is shining here on the south coast. Have a good day.

[PurpleAlf in reply to flicky1]

Thank you, I will remember that 😀

[stamford1234 in reply to flicky1]

This is what I was told. I have COPD serious and no Seretide. My Husband has moderate COPD and asthma and is prescribed Seretide. We have different Drs.

[consul1]

I was informed but my professor at respiratory clinic that after taking seretide 250 twice daily for 10 + years that I do not have copd, my fev was 54 % but he said this is down to plural plaque he also said to keep using seretide but cut it down to 1 puff twice daily, so am unsure whether I have copd or not

[PurpleAlf in reply to consul1]

That’s interesting. I have never heard of plural plaque before.

[consul1 in reply to PurpleAlf]

It is caused in my case by my use of asbestosis when I worked as a thermal insulation engineer ( pipe lagger ) for about nine years , this has also caused asbestosis in my right lung

[PurpleAlf in reply to consul1]

Oh goodness, I get so cross when people go on about Health & Safety Regs being wrong but hopefully they are in place so that future generations don’t have to go through the same thing as you?