When to Call A Dr.?

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Sometimes the newly diagnosed, and even even those who've been living with COPD and managing the disease, overlook or forget what to be wary or watchful of when it comes to an exacerbation (flare up) They can vary greatly; it's not always the same for e'one or the same symptoms each time.

I remember my first one after dx (diagnosis) and I was still learning "about" this disease.

I had no cold or anything, just more shortness of breath (SOB) The first inclination was that I had to stop and use my puffer (going up an incline) while out walking with the dog in the morning. We got back home and I was trying to throw the ball for him out back. It was a chore (thought I was just very tired)

Yeahp; I was coughing more but not a LOT. During the night I was waking up breathless and coughing. My rescue puffer was only lasting a max of 2 hours and even then I was having to take maybe 3 puffs rather than 2. By 6 am I was in the ER getting breathing treatments; left awhile later on anti's and Prednisone.

(5 years before I was ever dx'd I'd wound up in the hospital for 4 days; that was probably my very first but I'm not counting that one in the mix)

Here's a link to a bit of a refresher www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd-when-to-call-a-doctor

What about you? Do you remember your first exacerbation and the symptoms?

[morningstar]

Yes like they were yesterday; Had been putting up a Christmas Tree for my Aunt. Came hom didn't feel great but I had gotten a big lung full losyhol Buy the time I got supper on the table I was down Had a terrible ear acahe.
Later on when I woke up in the ER hours later wwaiting for the roome. 3 weeks later home[.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Good Heavens Rose...how AWFUL! How come you were in so long? Boy you musta been sick... Out of curiosity; how long have you been dx'd?

It's strange but I'd gotten over a bout of gland/inner ear infection (probably started from my sinuses) and I'd been on anti's a few weeks previously.

As I recall; quite often an exacerbation can occur within 30 days or so of a bacterial infection. Guess I fit the mold in that regard.

[Vic]

Good subject. I remember when I had my first exacerbation, about a year after DX, I just couldn't breathe in or out. Went to the ER...while up at the window registering, I went limp and went down...they rushed me in and put me on a neb, then O2 and IV pred.

When the Drs. were examining me one asked; "How long have you had the fever?" I told him I have no fever, I just can't breathe. The Dr. said "You have a 104.4º temp." I was dumbfounded.

I just never knew it because I was more concerned with not being able to breathe. The way I feel about when should we call our Dr. or go to the ER is: If you wonder whether it is time to do so or not, then it IS time, right then. I don't feel we are in any condition to debate it with ourselves at that point. -- Vic

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Isn't that strange Vic...I can relate to the temp and ER. another time before dx as well I might add( I had a few episodes no one picke dup on before dx) ...I too wound up in the ER....figured I had a bad bug etc.....couldn't breathe like you etc. Didn't even "think" to take my temp. Sure enough, it was winter and though I was freezing that's all I could think of as well. NOT BREATHING! I too had a 104 temp. They kept me overnight, pumped the pred and breathing treatments let me go in the a.m. Still no dx at that point.

Funny how you overlook e'thing when you can't breathe.

I know this is scary "remembering" for some of you sometimes BUT... a lot of folks "read the posts" and don't participate. BUT They're looking for similarities when they're reading up on COPD..

Please get over your bad memories and help them and help yourself in the process.

[LindaNY]

It was 1996 and I ended up in the ER with what I thought was a really bad asthma attack following a bad chest cold.

How I drove my self off the hill and to the hospital about 6 miles away is beyond me. (DH was working ,at the time, overnight on the Fire Dept.)

It took them half the night to get my breath sounds back with Pred IV and neb treatments. They sent me home with a pred burst and antibiotics for 10 days.

[larrynz]

I had been having trouble breathing all weekend, on the Monday I went to work but made a doctors appointment, struggled through the day not being able to walk 10 feet without a rest, the doc sent me to the hospital. I drove myself there and somehow managed to walk to the A&E, I was admitted and had 3 days on a pred drip.
I was discharged with a diagnosis of asthma, a few years were to pass before they got it right and told me I had copd.
Now I know the signs I can head things off, I have pred and anti's at home but mostly an increase in every day meds puts me back on track.