How common is this experience with copd.

[stephns]

Husband was admitted to hospital in Feb with severe pneumonia, in for two weeks, and now not smoking since then. Still has intermittant problems with infections, we seem to have had a least eight I think since then, and they are sometimes barely weeks apart. Yes he is underweight, on the usual stuff for lungs plus spireva, though not on oxygen at all. When he is OK its fine. Still works from home, and the "downs" make it hard for me to do anything other than stay at home and care for him. Getting very fed up with these bouts and rather depressed with it all. So is he. Thought the periods without illness would get bigger, but they don't seem to. Any feedback gratefully recieved, as I am a newbie to this, didn't do anything to support him before, because he insisted on smoking, and I left him alone to deal with it. Now, I am the carer....:o(

[pollyjj]

Hi I am no expert but perhaps your hubby should see a consultant if he is having these recurring bouts of infections.

Two years ago I had eight lots of antibiotics and steroids over a period of less than12 months so I insisted that I see a consultant, after bloods, sputum tests and ct scan, my medication was changed and from that day I have only had one small infection (touch wood) . I am not cured of course but can certain live a better life.

I think having lots of infections can damage your lungs even more, so I would say go to Doctor and insist on seeing someone.

I am sure lots more people will be able to give you lots more advice.

*polly

[Gordon57]

It may be good for you to chat to someone on the BLF helpline, call 03000 030 555 between 10am and 6pm, Mon-Fri. They'll take a few details and get someone to call you back.

I don't want to get you down any more, but when I stopped smoking I found it was the start of regular chest infections. That was 4 years ago. All the time I'd been on the cigs my lungs had a coating of tar and gunk, once that cleared the bugs got in !

But, the worst thing to do is go back to smoking. The damage has been done. The pneumonia will have left scar tissue on the lungs, reducing their effectiveness. The right medication will help, a lot, so you need to be asking your GP to help sort this out with a referral to the hospital consultant and get to the bottom of what is causing your husband to have problems.

I've had this some time, the meds help, but I still have issues. I don't need oxygen they say. Everyone is different and I have to accept what they tell me. I have a 2 week course of anti-biotics, it sorts me out for a while, then I go a week or two after the anti-biotics end and I start going back downhill.

It just takes so long to go through the various stages though. You'll have a test that the consultant asked for, but it could easily be 4-6 months before you have another appointment with him...!

I aim to get to see my GP before the next chest infection sets in. I've got a tube to do a sputum sample this time. Lets see if they can figure out what type of bug I get. That will be a start.

[Hidden]

i have been the same since december- 31/2 weeks ago my doctor put me on a daily antibiotic (doxycycline) and i have felt and been better than anytime in the last year - with luck i will stay this way.

[tanyamarie]

Hello and welcome!

I am a carer, helping mum look after dad. It is hard, watching the ones we love suffer and hurt and every day I feel helpless that there is nothing I can do to ease his suffering. But I then remind myself that dad never asked for this, he doesn't deserve it and apart from his nagging now and again (biting tongue time) he is still the same dad that I love and I must do what I can to help, no matter how small and trivial it may seem. It all helps.

Unfortunately, recurring infections often happen with lung diseases and especially coming up to the winter it is imperative that your husband gets seen by his specialist so he can advise on the best care before winter comes. Dad has an appointment for October.

Chin up hun, even though it can really get to you and you may feel alone at times, talking on here I find is so helpful and so very much rewarding. I thank my lucky stars that I am in the fortunate position that I am not unwell unlike so many brave and wonderfully inspiring people that I have met on here.

[stephns]

Jo has already seen his consultant, once during his stay and once back in June. Due again in October. No sputums taken, and I guess that is the next thing to do. I cannot and will not be a carer, after a lot of talk with my therapist today, I went home and Jo and I had a long talk/discussion. All I can see at present is a dark tunnel with no let up at the end. Its not like he is elderly and can be cared for. When he is well he is very well,but that is only for a few weeks. There has to be a way to sort out these symptoms early before he gets bedridden. Then there is the steroid thing. Its not good to keep taking steroids, so they are saying that we must try without next time, just for a day or two. The nurse practitioner came yesterday afternoon, and we have got Jo down for a x ray and hopefully pulmonary rehab soon. Fingers crossed.

I was awake at 5 am this morning with all this, and today hasn't been an easy day - it is a bit of a relationship crisis right now - I can't leave, nowhere to move to, so we have to find a way for him to be more self-reliant.

[Hidden]

It is such a stressful time for both of you. I feel sick when I think my husband is starting with a cold or hear him coughing more than usual and it makes me ill just the thought of starting with these infections again. He had a very similar time when he just went from one infection to another - eventually we have found that dioxcycline and steriods tablets are the only way to cure an infection BUT this can take 2,3,4,5 bouts - each time you think it is clear it starts again. He is now on vitamin D which does seem to have helped not just a placebo and last year we only had two bouts (I touch wood as I type!!). One thing I have found is that you have to insist on Doctors helping! Glad to hear the nurse has been - hope that helps - they helped my husband a lot! The local breath easy group might be able to offer you support. Good Luck and you know look after yourself. You need to get out and do something for yourself, even if you just go for a walk. Carers are sometimes forgotten in the whole process of illness. Can you talk to your husband? (when he is a bit better!) Is there anyone else who can help you? Perhaps you need to see your doctor about you and the stress. Good Luck TAD xx