Copd...sqad Or Other Experts Please Help With My Mums Copd? Thank You

[jaydj]

My 75 year old mum is really struggling with COPD..The doctors at the surgery and even when she has been to hospital don't seem to help....She has been given many different pills to take, inhalers to try and now a home oxygen machine but she stills has severe problems....thank you for you help

[Tilly2]

What can we do, Jaydj?

[jaydj]

asking for any help or advise or anything else that maybe the Docs have missed?

[EDDIE51]

My wife 62, has severe COPD and needs 2 inhalers several a day as well as other medication.
I don't really know what you mean by 'Struggling' , do you mean difficulty in breathing ?
COPD is a 'chronic' condition meaning it can not be cured but only contained or controlled.
How bad is her condition, as an example at her worst my wife was assessed as having lost 80% of her lung function it is improved now but she still only has 60% of normal lung function. (40% lost )

[Buenchico]

See the links for 'Treatment' and (particularly) for 'Managing my COPD' here:
https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/copd
(Note that there's a helpline for support as well)

The information on this US website (under 'What Is COPD' > 'Living With COPD'), such as that for breathing techniques, might also be worth a look:
https://www.copdfoundation.org/

[Sqad]

Jaydj........I cannot add anything further to what the above posters have said and from your description it does sound a disease in an advanced stage. I would guess that we are not just dealing with COPD but also a degree of heart failure( swollen ankles e.g)which is being treated. Difficult problem and i am sorry that I cannot be of further help.

[jaydj]

Thank you all for the answers

[trt]

Hi Jaydj,

I am 73yrs, and have had COPD for the past 3+ years. I take 3 inhalers, Symbicort, EkliraGenuair 322, and Ventolin.
Does she cough up phlegm?

I have been off and on Steroids for about a year, but they do stop having an effect after a while, and can have severe side effects, especially the thinning of your skin, bruising drawing blood, which I have.

I have an Nebulizer at home, which I only use on really bad days, and my Consultant told me, Oxygen dosent really help in the long run.

I have been hospitalized twice with breathing problems, in the past 8 months, and to avoid this, there is a COPD Unit which has been set-up, which I will send info to you later.
They work 7 days, and have the experience to give injections, prescriptions & take blood samples etc.

Will get back to you later tonight.

[jaydj]

Thank you trt

[Mamyalynne]

A nebuliser helped my Mum too, it's a difficult condition for many.

The management varies depending on severity.

[trt]

Hi again Jaydj,

Has she got a Aero-Chamber, from her Doc that you insert a Ventolin inhaler at the end, so it makes sure the dose gets into her lungs, if not ask for one?

The phone number for the COPD Unit for me is 03001232425, but it depends where you live, and it might be different Number.
They supplied me with a bed riser that goes under the mattress, where the pillows are, so you can adjust your top half upwards, with a remote control, instead of flat, to help breathing during sleep.

There are 2 COPD nurses at my surgery, who have given me breathing exercises at home, as It is difficult to get to the surgery, as I get out of breath after a few yards walking.
I also see a consultant about every 3/4 months.

Apart from the other websites given here, I use one called Patient, with a COPD forum, to chat with other sufferers.

If there is anything I have forgotten to tell you, I will get back.

[anneasquith]

Great posts T, I'm sure they will be helpful,

[jaydj]

Thank you Mamyalynne and trt....will show this info to mum tomorrow

[Scarlett]

I have been involved in a study where singing was taught to people with COPD, and in all cases, were shown to improve their symptoms over 2 years, especially how ill they became each winter. I know it seems pretty conservative, but could she join a choir or just a fun singing group? There may be one specifically for COPD sufferers which do a lot of breathing exercises. Try this too: http://www.singing-for.co.uk/