Steroids

[chrissiepridd]

I had a chest infection in May of this year and ended up in hospital with a partially collapsed lung....Its the first time i have had anything like this and i have not been the same since. I am more breathless especially in the morning and i dont know if its my c pap machine that i have at night thats causing it. I have had a chest x ray and my doctor said its all clear on my lungs, so why cant i breath so well??. Its getting so bad that i am scared to go to sleep at night because i wake up gasping for air. I was given a rescue pack of anti biotics and steroids and i have started to take them. Am i right to do this??? . Please someone , tell me its ok, as i woke up this morning a lot better....just hoping that tomorrow is the same.

[Hidden]

Are you with the community respiratory team if so contact the nurse and get advise asap. Your antibiotics should only be taken for chest infections..please get medical advice asap

[chrissiepridd in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply Emily61.... I have made a appointment to see my doctor for 6 oclock tonight, so fingers crossed, i haven't done too much wrong.

[Preshous]

I had to stop using my CPAP as it was causing me a lot of pain around my rib cage, as for your rescue pack it its always advisable to see your GP as soon as you can after you start using them.

[chrissiepridd in reply to Preshous]

I have a severe sleep apnoea, and its taken years to get used to a mask so i hardly ever used it, but they have given me a smaller mask that just goes under my nose and i am getting on much better with that one, but i still need to persevere with it every night.

[Grayjay]

I suffer with the same thing and it's a nightmare as you know. I have Emphysema and Heart failure and see two types of Specialists and nurses. No one is certain what is the definate cause. Incidentally I had an attack last night. First after going upstairs to bed, then later when asleep. I find it helps if I prop myself up with more pillows, I use 3 at the moment. You're right to use your rescue pack in case it is to do with infection. Best to see your GP about it to get it investigated ASAP.

Good luck.

[chrissiepridd in reply to Grayjay]

When i left hospital, they did a scan of my lungs and said the lungs were ok but they could see a thickening of some arteries from lungs to heart and a slightly enlarged heart. I was then sent for a echocardiogram and last week had a letter to say that i had been referred to a cardiologist, so am waiting for a appointment now. I am beginniing to think something is wrong but i tend to get very down and depressed and i really dont want to go there. Thank you for your reply, i feel like i am gaining better info from people that have the same problems as me.

[Grayjay in reply to chrissiepridd]

With a bit of luck that can be rectified with meds. Try not to worry too much I'm sure it'll get sorted out. I've had my symptoms for quite a while now and has got gradually worse. I'm waiting for an ICD to be fitted, hopefully soon.

Good luck. X

[Hidden]

It certainly isn't wrong to start your rescue pack in those circumstances but like others say, see your doctor.

[chrissiepridd in reply to Hidden]

Thank you...

[powderpuff]

The trick with the rescue pack is to nip any infection in the bud before it really gets hold & it really doesn’t take long sometimes so I think you were justified in starting the meds. You are supposed to see your gp ASAP after starting the rescue pack so ask for another RP at the same time.

Hopefully you’re feeling much better today.

[chrissiepridd in reply to powderpuff]

I have a appointment to see a dr tonight so thank you for your reply... will let everyone know the outcome

[victoriablue]

Morning Emily

I used to take steroids but found I can’t breath with them so started to refuse them.

If you think that might be the problem check with your doctor.

Hope you get sorted soon. Rose

[Neville33]

Chest X-ray doesn’t show everything...CT does...I would also get a sputum text done to MJ sure u haven’t picked anything else up

[chrissiepridd]

Sorry to everyone that commented, but my internet went down a week ago and have just got it back.....I went to my doctor and she was so good to me. She said i was right to take the rescue pack and that was what they are there for, so i continued to take the course and have been able to breath so much better. The doctor also said that the minute i feel that i am gasping for breath again, i am to trot my little backside back down to them, which i found quite funny cause i dont have a little backside lol........Thank you everyone...xx