are there flare ups with COPD ?

[meg321]

COPD has always caused a shortness of breath but all of a sudden It is much worse and I can barely work around the house without resting every few minutes.    AS before I could live with it easier.  I wondered about flare-ups or could this be caused by an infection.  Recently I had a Upper Resp. Infection and was given antibiotics for it,. but there was no follow-up. And of course I am so tired.

I have MS and its not near as bad as this is, at least for now.  Of course, they both have of the same symptoms and does make it hard to know which one is causing the problem.

thank you, meg

[meg321]

Hi sweetie, well it did help, i feel much better.  But I hate taking it...my Dr mentioned it also puts on weight..I am getting fat !!!!

Then because I am taking steroids for the inflammation AND I had a shot of it for my hives, he is concerned about, damn, can't remember what it is, but he said to watch out for a few symptoms...one was rapid wieght loss was one of them.  So now weight loss is a bad thing..LOL

You can't win...but feeling good is more important.

Hugs, meg

[lynnkay]

I am just now seeing your post. I am so sorry. Well, I truly hope the prednisone helps. It is good for inflammation etc.

You sound like me on learning how to pace yourself...LOL.

Let us know if the prednisone helps. Hugs back and feel better

[meg321]

Hi, finally got back to you...I went to the dr and he said I had mucus and inflamation in my lungs so he has me on prednesone, a small dosage for 10 days.  So we will see...

I don't know how to pace myself and end up every day overdoing it, I guess.  

hugs, meg

[meg321]

Hello and thanks..I do rinse after I use the inhalers.  With mouthrinse and sometimes an extra time with water, I rinse and gargle twice e and I am very thorough.  This has been going on for months.   I am seeing the Dr next week...

hugs, meg

[memory65]

I too am all those things and a few more,however after using and of the inhalers rinse your mouth really well with just plain water. Some of them do cause thrush. I hope this helps a little!
           MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU, Memory65

[meg321]

Thanks so much, it actually was very helpful.  I  am just trying to learn more so I can better manage it or at least live with it.  I do have an appt with my pulmon. next Tuesday.  I may call my primary today since he gave me the antibiotics for the infection.

I am on spiriva and advair, which also give me thrush in my mouth so I am going to finally see him about that.   Been having that for a long time, my dentist prescribed meds for it but now that I have a pulmonogist  I will take it up with him.

Thanks so much for responding..

hugs, meg

[lynnkay]

I too have COPD. Moderate stage as of Oct. 07 upon diagnosis. Yes, there can be flare ups with COPD. Possibly consider going back for a follow-up on the upper respiratory infection. It could possibly still be lingering. You may need to do another antibiotic regiment. About 2 yrs. ago, I had bronchitis, pneumonia and pleurisy all at one time. Took me 3 months to get over it all especially the pleurisy.

Is it hot and humid where you live? I know hot humid weather here in Kentucky where I live greatly effects my COPD.

Currently thank God, I am going through a pretty decent phase with my COPD. I have been for months and months. But, I know that can change at any given time. I still have shortness of breath on a daily basis, especially when I over do on something. But, being short of breath has become a way of life and I try to roll with it. Yet, I know it can be hard, when you also have MS. Bless your heart.

I am not really having many answers here for you am I? But Meg, maybe consider going back to your doctor and explain that your shortness of breath has grown worse. Like I said, maybe the infection has not totally cleared up. Are you on inhalers etc? If you are, then maybe one of them needs to be changed or dosage upped. Just trying to help eventhough I feel that I am not very much. You take care of yourself, hon. And post to let us know how you are doing.