Appointment, COPD/Asthma

[Northerner]

The appointment went reasonably well this morning, with one or two caveats. There is a 'diabetes team' who will approve (or otherwise) of my current prescription items, so a possible attempt might be made to change me onto a cheaper meter/strips etc. I won't let that happen without a fight 🙂 Getting a referral to the hospital about my macular oedema, hoping that will be reasonably soon, and also will have a review of my diabetes etc. fairly soon, as a new patient (it's about due anyway).

The other thing that I discussed was the slightly worrying tightness in my chest and occasional problems drawing in deep breaths without feeling the urge to cough (a dry cough, though). He checked things out and said my chest appeared clear, but I have an appointment with the relevant nurse next week to be tested for potential asthma or COPD. Since I have no prior experience of either, I'm not sure what is considered worse - I'm guessing COPD from what I've learned from Dr Google. It all seems to have coincided with the dustiness of packing up over a protracted period, plus a cold winter and a lot of stress recently over the move process, so I'm hoping it's just temporary. Things should be clearer next week, I hope 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds like a promising appointment Alan.

I met a couple of asthma bloggers recently at a thing - one of whom was more of an outdoors / running / activity type (with occasional mentions of asthma thrown in). Eg tips for running in the cold / training after illness etc.

I will try to post a link in case it’s of any use.

At the same event COPD was mentioned, and got the feeling it was often a long term obstruction of the airways.

Hope the investigations give you some clarity and a suitable treatment to free up your chest.

 

[khskel]

'appen it'll be nobbut the Yorkshire air being a bit strong for thee.

 

[Northerner]

'appen it'll be nobbut the Yorkshire air being a bit strong for thee.

Could be, after breathing in all that weak Southern air for the past 22 years, although it started long before I got here - maybe I got out just in time? 😱 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Sounds like a promising appointment Alan.

I met a couple of asthma bloggers recently at a thing - one of whom was more of an outdoors / running / activity type (with occasional mentions of asthma thrown in). Eg tips for running in the cold / training after illness etc.

I will try to post a link in case it’s of any use.

At the same event COPD was mentioned, and got the feeling it was often a long term obstruction of the airways.

Hope the investigations give you some clarity and a suitable treatment to free up your chest.

Thanks Mike. I'm hoping it's either temporary or at worst, asthma. Both Chris Froome and Paula Radcliffe suffer from asthma, so it looks manageable from an exercise point of view - not sure about COPD though, the GP seemed to place quite a bit of importance in the fact I am an ex-smoker, although I haven't smoked for over 23 years now. Will have to wait and see.

 

[Stitch147]

Sounds like a good appointment Northie. Hopefully all will be good with any upcoming tests and stuff.

 

[CathyB]

Hey northerner, I have asthma, I don’t consider myself as suffering from it, more living with it 😛 I have inhalers that help me keep my lungs functioning well and another that helps me if I’m struggling. To be honest it’s not that bad s long as you do as you are advised and use your inhalers even if you feel ok, that’s where a lot of people mess up, thinking they feel fine so don’t bother! If I get a chest infection it can be a bit rough and can result in a short run of steroids with the antibiotics but it’s manageable

 

[Northerner]

Hey northerner, I have asthma, I don’t consider myself as suffering from it, more living with it 😛 I have inhalers that help me keep my lungs functioning well and another that helps me if I’m struggling. To be honest it’s not that bad s long as you do as you are advised and use your inhalers even if you feel ok, that’s where a lot of people mess up, thinking they feel fine so don’t bother! If I get a chest infection it can be a bit rough and can result in a short run of steroids with the antibiotics but it’s manageable

Thanks Cathy 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

Yup, I’ve got asthma and it usually doesn’t bother me, but the dust of the kitchen fitters has really set me off. I’m sure it’s just the moving that’s done it, rather than the non existent smoke from the long gone dark satanic mills. For sure, you haven’t got COPD if you haven’t smoked for 23 years Northie. Folk with COPD don’t go running, folk with asthma do. Apart from me, of course.

 

[Northerner]

Yup, I’ve got asthma and it usually doesn’t bother me, but the dust of the kitchen fitters has really set me off. I’m sure it’s just the moving that’s done it, rather than the non existent smoke from the long gone dark satanic mills. For sure, you haven’t got COPD if you haven’t smoked for 23 years Northie. Folk with COPD don’t go running, folk with asthma do. Apart from me, of course.

Thanks Mike 🙂 I can't see how some sort of 'permanent damage' to my lungs as suggested by Dr Google/NHS Choices could suddenly materialise after an intervening very successful 23 years of running marathons and half marathons. A couple of years ago I was running 8 minute miles and 5 miles in just over 40 minutes. The asthma triggered by dust/stress etc. seems the most likely explanation. I can breathe perfectly normally during exercise, it's when I stop that I find it difficult to get my breath without inducing a coughing fit.

Interestingly, I tried to buy a bottle of the pholcodine linctus yesterday as it does ease the coughing sensation but the pharmacist, on hearing I was about to be tested for asthma, wouldn't sell it to me! Not sure why as it can't interfere with any asthma medication as I'm not on any.

 

[Robin]

d to buy a bottle of the pholcodine linctus yesterday as it does ease the coughing sensation but the phramacist, on hearing I was about to be tested for asthma, wouldn't sell it to me! Not sure why as it can't interfere with any asthma medication as I'm not on any.

Could it mask any symptoms during your asthma test?

 

[Northerner]

Could it mask any symptoms during your asthma test?

Yes, I suppose that's a possibility, and if already diagnosed then you'd use your asthma medication instead.

 

[dirtydancing24]

i am 45, i gave up smoking in 2000 and have been diagnosed with copd. i use 2 inhalers and at present its manageable. i used to be able to run but after an operation and weight gain i get breathless. Also been diagnosed with type2 and suffering from epilepsy i really need to start exercising again. just need the god damn motivation to get started. kick up the bum needed

 

[Northerner]

i am 45, i gave up smoking in 2000 and have been diagnosed with copd. i use 2 inhalers and at present its manageable. i used to be able to run but after an operation and weight gain i get breathless. Also been diagnosed with type2 and suffering from epilepsy i really need to start exercising again. just need the god damn motivation to get started. kick up the bum needed

Sounds like you have a lot to deal with DD Try setting yourself small, achievable goals so you don't get overwhelmed and overcome that 'fear' we often feel when we haven't done something for a while. It's always tricky getting back into things, but every little thing, if kept nice and regular, will help 🙂 I just forced myself out on my first run in about 8 weeks this morning and managed just over a mile - a year ago I was running 5-10 miles! It was hard work but I'm glad I did it because it has meant I have made a start on things 🙂

Good luck on getting back into it 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks Mike. I'm hoping it's either temporary or at worst, asthma. Both Chris Froome and Paula Radcliffe suffer from asthma, so it looks manageable from an exercise point of view - not sure about COPD though, the GP seemed to place quite a bit of importance in the fact I am an ex-smoker, although I haven't smoked for over 23 years now. Will have to wait and see.

Here's that runner/outward bound/activity blogger who writes about running/training at various times of year alongside asthma: http://www.misswheezy.co.uk/

 

[Northerner]

Here's that runner/outward bound/activity blogger who writes about running/training at various times of year alongside asthma: http://www.misswheezy.co.uk/

That's great Mike, thank you, I will have a good read 🙂 Appointment is tomorrow, so hopefully will find out and even more hopefully get something to treat it! 🙂 I've managed short runs yesterday and today - felt fine during both, but on stopping find that my 'breathing comfort' drops from about 95% to about 40% - coughing and wheezing. Recovered after 10-15 mins and back up at 95% now.

 

[mikeyB]

Then what you have is exercise induced asthma. COPD isn’t reversible. Simple, isn’t it?

 

[Northerner]

Then what you have is exercise induced asthma. COPD isn’t reversible. Simple, isn’t it?

That's encouraging to know Mike, thank you 🙂

 

[Sally W]

The appointment went reasonably well this morning, with one or two caveats. There is a 'diabetes team' who will approve (or otherwise) of my current prescription items, so a possible attempt might be made to change me onto a cheaper meter/strips etc. I won't let that happen without a fight 🙂 Getting a referral to the hospital about my macular oedema, hoping that will be reasonably soon, and also will have a review of my diabetes etc. fairly soon, as a new patient (it's about due anyway).

The other thing that I discussed was the slightly worrying tightness in my chest and occasional problems drawing in deep breaths without feeling the urge to cough (a dry cough, though). He checked things out and said my chest appeared clear, but I have an appointment with the relevant nurse next week to be tested for potential asthma or COPD. Since I have no prior experience of either, I'm not sure what is considered worse - I'm guessing COPD from what I've learned from Dr Google. It all seems to have coincided with the dustiness of packing up over a protracted period, plus a cold winter and a lot of stress recently over the move process, so I'm hoping it's just temporary. Things should be clearer next week, I hope 🙂

Best of luck with your appointment tomorrow

 

[Northerner]

Best of luck with your appointment tomorrow

Thanks Sally 🙂