Just diagnosed

Just been diagnosed with mild COPD was sure I had asthma, score 69% (I think it is 70% to pass) felt hard to breathe some mornings but was coming off the back of a really bad chest infection - suddenly massively allergic to my dog. I'm now abroad and no problems breathing at all and no dog. Do they ever get it wrong?

[R2B_Joe Partner]

Welcome to the group!

The only way to know if your allergies or environment was causing all the problems would be to go back and have (at the very least) a spirometry test. A pulmonologist would be the one to determine whether you do have a COPD Diagnosis or not. That said, if there are things (like pets or environment) that are triggering breathing problems, it seems logical to think that even if those triggers were making things worse for you, it would be smart to be cautious and go forward in learning about how to best live with COPD in order to stay as healthy as possible.

It is easier to keep lung function as opposed to trying to get back to where you were once your lung function declines...The fact that you have triggers means that there is some sort of issue, so it's good that you are asking questions and looking for answers.

I hope this helps!

[Welshcatlady]

Sorry to hear that you have become allergic to your dog.

I have COPD, diagnosed about 8 years ago. Whenever I go abroad on holiday, in the sun, I always feel so much better, no shortness of breath. Wish I could live in a better climate, this rain we've been having, and the temperature changing all the time doesn't do me any good at all.

[garshe]

Everyone starts to lose lung function at the age of 27. And we are all different.i get different readings every time I do the test. I can get different readings in same day depending how I am on the day. They are only numbers that is what I was told by my consultant 13yrs ago. There was a patient in front of me younger ,in a wheelchair on oxygen and really struggling ,with lung function much higher than mine ..I was doing everything myself ,walking, no oxygen etc .the consultant told me I had the right attitude. Concentrate on what you can do not what you can't. Good luck xx.Sheila

[Number1paula]

I was abroad (Morocco) in April last year and was fine for the first five days, then the copd started flaring up I was really poorly and had to come home early. I immediately rang my copd team (They come to my home) and they said very hot weather can set it off as well as the very cold. They do get it wrong sometimes, my daughter who works for the PHSO and previously worked for GMC wouldn't have a job if they got it right.