Excerbation

[Skilgore]

My husband has end stage copd. He has a trilogy machine a nebulizer plenty of prednisone and other inhalers etc. He is having a really hard time with his breathing even with taking 30mgs of prednisone and using the breathing machine etc. With all this at home when do I know it is time to go to the hospital for additional Meds etc? He

Is so hardheaded!

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I would suggest that if he is struggling then it's time he got extra help. They can give him medicine by IV which usually gets to the infection better.

[O2Trees in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

Good advice, IV works very quickly.

[Nanny49]

Would definitely be looking for something extra now. Interesting that he is taking 30mg prednisolone. I was recently 'told off' for not taking 50mg per day during exacerbation. Apparently the 25mg was insufficient. Did as I was told and it cleared within days. (Have really bad side effects from pred but will use higher dose in future). Hope your husband gets the help and relief he needs ASAP.

[carolg1 in reply to Nanny49]

Hi nanny, can I ask what bad side effects you get from prednisone , just wondered I don't take them often because sometimes I'm not sure if they help then other times they do ! I'm told it's not good to be on them so many conflicting stories xx thanks carol

[Nanny49 in reply to carolg1]

Hi Carol. The side effects I experience include racing heart rate, breathlessness, sleeplessness, increased appetite, bruising. When I come off them I have aching muscles and itching. I dread taking them! I had to take them at a high dose for a long period to treat temporal arteritis and that directly caused osteopenia. It is definitely a drug to be treated with respect!

[carolg1 in reply to Nanny49]

Thanks for that nanny , I certainly have trouble sleeping when I'm on them and sometimes breathlessness which confused me thought they helped with the breathing , once again thanks keep well luuv carol x

[Edwina47]

I am so sorry,hope your husband bucks up a little for you today x x

[hufferpuffer]

I hope you can get support in staying at home, I know with support you could have a much needed break, thinking of you both and sending my best wishes, hugs huff xxx

[sassy59]

Sending love and good wishes to you and hubby. xxxx

[Hidden]

Hi I am very sorry to hear that. Is he receiving palliative care? At end stage he should have a team around him ie a doctor, consultant, nurse who all work together to help him stay as comfortable as possible. This is patient centred care and he will be put at the heart of ny care decisions. You would then have a number to call probably a nurse for help if necessary. If your husband hasn't got this then your doctor can arrange it. x

[warwickstag]

That is good advice. My GP has offered me full support for complete home care to avoid hospitalisation even to the extent of offering to arrange IV drip if needed to cure my pneumonia which is proving a difficult bug to fight. Currently coming to end of second set of ab's and still suffering with sats in mid 80s even on 3lt/24hrs, but that is an improvement on the 78 reading on Monday. Also boosted pred to 8 tabs a day (all in 1 dose) and at least my appetite is on the mend even if my lungs are still struggling. I have everything I need at my side, including nebs and same as doc says "It's the same as you'd be receiving in hospital but all at you own call". I agree I'd rather try and ride it out at home, but each case is an individual choice.

[maincarer]

Hi, if your husband is really having problems with breathing the best thing is being admitted to hospital, I thought I could do it all at the end, but you just don't have the nursing support on your own at home...so in any doubt either ring your gp or ring for an ambulance