Severe emphysema medications

[Dazbazbez]

Would anybody be kind enough to tell me what medications they are on for severe emphysema my hubby is very breathless but his oxygen levels are ok 97, i suggested he ask gp to change his inhaler he is on trelegy at the moment and takes carbocisteine for mucas ,we asked the gp could he go on a maintenance dose of steroid but he said its not advised,it was a telephone appointment as they are not seeing anyone at the surgery because of covid but you can't listen to someone's chest over the phone ,even his hospital appointment was cancelled but he said he was scared of going anyway with all thats going on, he's been sheilding for months now like a lot of people and feeling down i just want to try and help him but everything i suggest he won't listen.

[tomc]

Hi, I am on Trimbow, Salamol easi-breathe and Salbutamol liquid inhalers.

I am not on oxygen but my oxy is 90-94 and fluctuates a lot.

I used to worry about the numbers but I now realise even someone with 97 oxygen gets out of breathe.

So the best advice I can give is, enjoy life and don`t worry too much.

I also take Carbocisteine for mucus, Iron tabs and a host of other meds for all sort of things..... I am very expensive for the NHS, Just like my wife is very expensive for me....

[Jeanpye in reply to tomc]

Biu

[Jeanpye in reply to Jeanpye]

Hi does the drug for mucus helps you to bring it up? And can I ask are you hoarse ,I can’t talk sometimes!

[Dazbazbez in reply to Jeanpye]

Hi he finds the carbocisteine liquid helps better than the capsules ,yes he is hoarse he sounds like he has a sore throat .

[R2B_John Moderator]

Your husband may want to ask his doctor about taking azithromycin as a maintenance medication. While it may lose its ability to act as an antibiotic, it does have a good anti-inflammatory action that some COPDers find helpful. But this is a conversation he must have with a medical professional.

You said emphysema, but if has excess mucus it would be my guess that he also has a chromic bronchitis component to his COPD.

Finally, he may just be out of shape and deconditioned from lack of exercise. Pulmonary rehabilitation or a doctor suggested home exercise program may be suggested.

Best of luck to him and to you as his carer.

[ibecarolita]

I have severe emphysema and the only med that seems to work the best now is the steroids (prednisone) I have managed to keep myself at a maintenance of 2.5 - 5mg daily, which is considered a low dose. It really works miracles and feel the benefits out way the risks at this stage... Something to consider. Suffering this way is just not an option anymore for me. I'm 56 years old.

[Burbagegran]

Hello, I'm on Salbutomol, Duoresp Spiromax and Braltus inhalers and also azithromycin three days per week, carbocisteine two twice a day, plus esomeprazole for reflux which can be a contributor to coughing. I'm also on 16 hours of oxygen at 1 Ltr per hour and 5ltr per hour ambulatory.

My stats can go from about 91 down to 83 after a coughing fit.

Steroids can help but I think they bring a whole set of new problems with them, when I have been prescribed I become literally sleepless, emotional and depressed. I only take them if absolutely necessary.

I hope this helps, there is nothing else at this stage that can help me. Good luck to you and your husband and stay safe. Joan x

[Burbagegran]

I should have also said that I'm 72 and suffer emphysema and a little bronchiectasis.

[Bluenotes]

I also have emphysema , and am on fostair , but not sure if it helps . I get very breathless and tight chest and back pain , I was told to take ibuprofen, it does help a bit . So hard to see anyone who knows anything about this condition at the moment . Keep smiling. 🤗

[pekingeselover]

I have severe emphysema (significant bullous disease) +asthma component. I was diagnosed after a ct scan. I have 2 ventolin, 2 fostair 200/6 and 1 spiriva respimat inhalers each month. I have breathing problems on a daily basis, sometimes i suffer non-stop for 3-4 days at a time, i then ring my drs and get a course of steroids, they help a little after a few days taking them

[soulboy118]

Mucoclear at 6% is brilliant for bringing troublesome phlegm up , its a liquid nebulised medicine that I take once a day ( usually in the early evening) to help me sleep better and feel better in the morning .