its all so complicated

[meg321]

I haven't been here much because I don't know where to go....I have been feeling so sick.    Its not so much my MS directly, but its my COPD.   I feel like am invalid now because I can't do much without having to lie down because the shortness of breath gets to me.  

Not to mention hives that come and go.  I am so glad i got the pain pills, I just took one and I am here for the evening.

Now I have too many health issues and not always sure which is which...or which of all these Drs to call.  But I am going to call one of them tomorrow.

Just needed to check in  so I am not forgotten..

hugs, meg

[meg321]

Good morning,  I went into the Drs yesterday and it is not an infection but some mucus and inflamation in the lungs caused by allergies.

So he gave me prednosone to help me..as of this morning I am breathing better, but still but not able to do a lot and i am very tired.  

Its all starting to come together in my mind, which is a silly thought in itself, as far as this COPD and the lungs are concerned.  But I still need more information.

Thats all I can remember for now, but thought I would do an update....

hugs, meg

[meg321]

Thats interesting, when I stop mine i dont feel a difference.  I told the Dr and he said I need to keep using them to slow down the progression.  I am glad to hear you are doing so well. thats great !

I didnt sleep last night, was feeling a bit helpless , i just fell back into the fear and loneliness of everything.  

And I was concerned about the hives coming back..they scare me.

So I didnt sleep so I am not sure what today will bring...

thanks, meg

[siv1]

Hi,
Sorry about your problem.

I have COPD, been on advair(250/50) from 2000 - 2009. Now I'm on Symbicort(160/4.5).
Reason for the change was, i complained about fatigue to my GP and he thought it could be due to advair. Now I've being treated or M.S of course and make sense why i had fatigue.

I never had to use preventive inhaler, but i do carry proventol with me always.
If i miss a whole day dosage of symbicort then I'm in big trouble, otherwise i have never had any problem. Hope you get yours under control.

[meg321]

Thanks Ren, working on it.....

and by the way, the higher-ups in charge of our forum, told me to tell you all Thank You !

Like we need to be told..but then we may forget, whatever it is its pretty funny.  Now we need a spell check !!!!

[rendean]

So sorry to hear of your suffering! I hope your doc can get your COPD under control for you.

Sending healing thoughts your way and hope you are feeling better soon.

Ren

[meg321]

By the way, if you are looking for a guy, they are all at the hardware store...lots of them.

meg

[meg321]

I was NOT finished but at least I didnt lose it.   I have been told  months ago about the COPD but was in total denial, MS was easy to accept for me but this was not.  This last pulmon. finally convinced me. Bless his heart !!  

I am going to check into a pulmonary rehab and see if we have anything here.  I did get some walking in today..we don't have a mall so I did store walking...it would be cheaper to use my treadmill than the hardware store, that was so fun !

Oh, i forgot, he did say I was having a COPD flare up, most likely from the hives and not sleeping and all that went with that.  I am feeling better already.

My dermotoligist , these med terms need shortened, had given me an antihistimine for the hives and it put weight on me...I looked it up and they give it to anorexic patients.  So now I have another 10 lbs to take off.  I need to start eating better anyway.  

Dennis, are you listening to this ?  I so needed you two women in the worst way.  And you know I don't give up, if "giving up" was easy, I would do it.  But it would be so much worse.

God Bless you, meg

[meg321]

ME give up, NEVER !    And thank you so much for the responses..I SO LOVE ALL OF YOU !!

I have had a few tests and have seen 3 pulmonoligists,  fired two of them and landed here locally to a pulmon. and I like him, he always talks to me as much as he needs to. He has me on Spiriva once a day and Symbicort twice a day. He just made the change yesterday from advair to Symbicort.  The rescue inhaler is  ProAir.

I went in yesterday because I was so sick plus I have been getting thrush in my mouth constantly, that was the reason for the change and I always learn something from him.

I went to my skin guy and they gave me a steroid shot and those ugly welts all over my body are almost gone, i thought they were going to make me do something insane, the itch is horrendous !!   But it is only a quick fix, I do think I need to see an allergist so i will ask about my next appt next week.

[Rena705]

Helllloooooooo!!!  I am heeeerrrrreeee!!!

Hey honey, I am so sorry that your COPD is giving you such a hard time!  For starters, have you been diagnosed as having COPD by a pulmonologist or other specialist?  It is important that you are being followed by a specialist because sometimes our gp's don't really know the best way to treat it.  

I was diagnosed by a pulmonologist and was put on the medications that he felt I would get the most relief from.  I am currently on Spireva once a day, Symbicort twice a day and Ventolin as a rescue inhaler.  

I was fortunate enough that here in Edmonton we have a wonderful Respiratory Program where they teach you how to live with your disease and still live a good life.  They taught us how to exercise in a way that our breathing isn't affected so much by the COPD.  We learned pursed lip breathing which I have found to be invaluable.  When you are doing something physical such as lifting a weight, you breathe in through your nose when lifting and breathe out slowly through pursed lips as you lower the weight.  It is amazing how well it works to save energy!  I would hope that you are on something like Ventolin as a rescue inhaler.  If not see your doc right away and if you do, make sure you use it PRIOR to performing any physical activity such as stairs, going for a walk, heavy cleaning etc.  You will find the change amazing and you should be able to do more this way.

I agree with Quix that your primary be notified of the trouble you are having and he should advocate for you to either refer you to a pulmonologist or ensure you can get in to see him/her a.s.a.p.  There is NO reason why you should be suffering like this hon...there is help out there but you have to ask in order to get it.  Remember, you are YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE so please don't give up honey!  If you need to talk further, please don't hesitate to send me a note...I have been there and I can relate 100%

Lots of easy breathin hugs,
Rena

[Sailorsong]

Meg,

  Just so you don't feel too alone. I also have COPD and can barely accomplish anything without getting severely out of breath. So far all I have gotten from my doctors are those inhalers that don't help at all.

Dennis

[Quixotic1]

Oh, Meg, I'm so sorry you're suffering like this.  It must be complete he ll not to be able to breathe comfortably.  Are they working aggressively to treat your COPD?  there are a multitude of things to try, including Physical and Respiratory Therapy, many kinds of meds, Oxygen and such.  Too many people are told they have COPD, given an inhaler and set loose.

One of our members, Rena, also has COPD and has had some very intensive treatment for it.  Perhaps she or some of our members who have had things help can speak up here.

I'm glad you chimed in.  We don't want to forget anyone.  You're a member of the Mob Family now, and there are penalties for being absent.

Definitely call your pulmonary doctor and ask if everything is being tried to help you out.  Also let your primary doc know you are just not doing well.  It's his responsibility advocate on your behalf.

Take care, and I'm hoping you can get to feeling better.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Quix