Those With Copd

[Vagus]

I have a few questions if you wouldn’t mind answering
What were your first symptoms?
How was it diagnosed?
How long have you had it?
Has it progressed fairly quickly or not?
What treatment do you receive?
Many thanks x

[roopower]

My son works in a COPD dept in a hospital. He says make an appointment with the respiratory nurse at your gp or ask for a referral if you have breathing difficulties. COPD covers a lot of conditions and everyone has different symptoms. I hope someone comes along who can answer your questions.

[douglas9401]

An old school friend got a diagnosis, stopped smoking and took up saxophone.
Never looked back.

[Vagus]

Thank you both for taking the time to answer.

[piggynose]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=copd+meaning&sxsrf=APwXEddkBpc6rVZ8tK8-0mMrKOmSttUXQw%3A1686640005831&source=hp&ei=hRWIZMTeMJOqkdUPjfqDiA8&oq=copd&;gs_lcp=ChFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocBABGAIyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDoHCCMQ6gIQJzoECCMQJzoFCC4QgAQ6DQguEIoFEMcBEK8BECc6CwguEIAEEMcBENEDOgcIABCABBAKOg0ILhCABBDHARDRAxAKOgcIIxCKBRAnOg4ILhCABBDHARDRAxDUAlCNC1iXMGCuRGgEcAB4AIAB1gGIAe0JkgEFMC42LjGYAQCgAQGwAQ8&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp

[piggynose]

Now i know what it is!
I thought it was a typo!

[barry1010]

I really dislike these umbrella terms for individual people. Yes, a health professional can specialise in COPD but it should me made clear to the patient that he has emphysema, chronic bronchitis or another condition that falls in to that spectrum.
My uncle had emphysema many years ago and he was in a terrible condition in his latter years but hopefully treatments have progressed since then. I have known people with chronic bronchitis who have managed the condition comparatively well.

I have asthma which cannot be compared to the COPD conditions but have known lots of people with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. All I can say is that every case seems to be different but usually progression is very slow and today diagnosis seems to be quick with chest x rays, breath tests, blood tests and other tests confirming.

There is help and support out there. This website not only has very good information it also has online groups and a telephone helpline. It is UK based.
https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease#get-support

[Vagus]

Thanks for your answer, Barry.

[anneasquith]

I wonder vagus if abers who have copd may be reluctant to admit to having the very distressing condition ( when it is severe ).
In my experience there is a bit of shame with having copd ( not always) that is smoking .

[Vagus]

That’s why I put ‘if you wouldn’t mind answering’ in my original question, Anne.
The person who I’m asking for has had a chest X-ray, blood test (which is being repeated next week) and has a spirometry test shortly (if they can get an appointment). And a inhaler prescribed, which they’re using.

[anneasquith]

Smoker ?

[Vagus]

Gave up 25 years ago but obviously a concern.

[anneasquith]

Did the X-ray show copd ? Is the inhaler helping. Are they short of breath ?
Please don’t feel the need to reply. I wish them well .

[Vagus]

No results from X-ray yet, inhaler is helping, they’re not particularly short of breath but find an incline and long flights of stairs a little bit challenging.
Am I right in thinking you’re a nurse or ex nurse, Anne? Do you know something about COPD?? If you do, I’d be very grateful for anything you might have to tell me x

[Peter Pedant]

roopower has just about got it
there is a spectrum between chronic bronchitis and emphysema
first symptoms - production of green sputum, every day for three months ( chr Br)
clinically
my auld Da' had it for at least ten years
progresses slowly
depends on the stage of the disease

difft set of answers for emphysema
and then there is a sliding scale between the two

One of these case where if you dont see the patient you cant say very much...

The above is an oldish view of chronic lung disease and the views may have changed

[Peter Pedant]

long spiel here
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)#:~:text=Overview,damaged%20or%20clogged%20with%20phlegm.

note it says chronic obstructive lung disease which may well be your Copd. Adheres remarkably closely to what was taught in the medical schools 50 y ago.

[anneasquith]

Vagus, ex nurse. I know copd. My advice get xray result and lung function results, discuss the results with the GP or medical practitioners my only advice at this time would be careful steernclear of anyone with chest infections, covid. Flu .
Not much they can do until the results available .

[Vagus]

Thank you Anne, much as we thought.
She’s a realist and just wants to know now. GP has been very, very helpful.
She may pay for a private spirometry test if the wait is too long at the surgery.
Many thanks x

[anneasquith]

Excellent amount of info on line .
One more thing, healthy diet, exercise, plenty fluids.

[Sqad]

PP ^^ is absolutely correct and hence with no diagnosis your question cannot be answered with any degree of credibility.

[retrocop]

//Vagus, ex nurse. I know copd.//
That gives me no confidence. I was told I had COPD by a Practice Nurse at my GP centre who ran the 'Quit smoking clinic'. Three years later I was summoned to the GP centre to see the nurse and bring my inhalers with me and other medication. I had never been prescribed inhalers and remarked to the new nurse who had an office one floor up that their party game toys did not compete with the hospital respiratory testing which I had prior to a surgical operation. I was told I had the lungs of a 30year old. I told the new practise nurse that I noted her office was on the first floor with no list and she might realise I wasn't short of breath. She put her Christmas Cracker blow tube back in her desk drawer and proclaimed I didn't have COPD .