COPD

[Dee52]

I have COPD and am on an inhaler.  Lately it is harder to breath I sit up do breathing techniques, take my inhaler stay in room with cold shower running.  Nothing helps...does this mean my COPD is getting worse.  Also the beds of my fingernails are blue.

[louellajack]

if the fingernails are blue that usually means lack of oxygen, ,,, i to smother alot no matter if im sitting , laying down or standing.. im on combivent and atrovant and they dont work... i use to panic when i got really short winded but now i just try to make sure i slow breathe , breathe in slow and and let out slow.. I am 35 and i was diagnosed with copd 5 years ago, and it sounds like it may be getting worse.. but i noticed when mine started getting worse , that i have a congested cough now, always spitting up flem, and if it is to hot outside i cant go out, it litterally takes away my breath, and the humidity has alot to do with it to.. hope u get the answers u need.. good luck.. go see your pulmanologist

[frewsh]

hi dee
        sorry i made a mistake with the seretide, the chemist only had seretide 250,
        so i have two puffs twice a day as that gives me the 500

[frewsh]

dee when i was first diagnosed i got out of breath quickly, i could not get up the stairs,
they tried different inhalers, then when i was at rock bottom, where i got out of breath just thinking about doing something, i was given spirivia powder in haler,( which they have now swapped for spirivia respimat mist) two puffs once a day, also seretide 500
two puffs twice a day, it was a miracle for me it worked almost immediatly, i can walk upstairs to bed no problem without gasping for breath, don't get me wrong i still get out of breath when out walking or shopping, i can't carry a bag very far but i feel 100% better than i did, you need to exercise a bit, but it worked for me, mention it to your pulmanologist see what he say's

[National Jewish Health]

The natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is that it gets progressively worse and the worsening is accelerated by cigarette smoke.  Your symptoms could be an indication that your COPD is worsening or that you are having an exacerbation, a temporary, acute worsening of symptoms, often reversible with medical treatment.  The blue fingernails suggestion that your body is not getting enough oxygen and that could make it much harder to breathe.

It would be wise for you to make an appointment to see your doctor to check your oxygen level and decide if you are having an exacerbation, for which prescribed medicine might help.

Good luck.

[Dee52]

I don't smoke and never have...however, I was raised with heater using coal.  I would get it for my mom and dad always bringing in the house for them.  I also slept in the room where the main stove was.  I think this is why I have it.  My dad and mother both have COPD.  My mother just told me she had it and my father worked in a coal miner and he did smoke.  I was wondering if this could be a link to COPD.
Thank you for your informationn.

[Dee52]

thank you for your information...I am going to tell the doctor of the inhalers you are on and see if we can't this a little more under control.  Feeling like your taking your last breath is pretty hard on your nerves.  I'm happy to hear you are feeling somewhat better.  I suppose with the disease you have to be on your toes and do a lot of research.  The information you gave me was very helpful...now I know there is hope.
Take care, Dee

[Dee52]

yes my fingernails are blue...where I live is so humid by the time I walk downstairs I'm already wheezing then going outside is a joke.  I do panic when I can't breath.  I wheeze so much...it sounds like you need to go to the doctor as well.  Good luck I hope we can keep in touch as I have  no one that has gone through this to tell me hey it's OK you are not taking your last breath...it feels that way sometimes don't you think.  I suppose the more I learn the better I can handle it.  Thank you for your insight!  Take care....Dee