Welcome MissNaiad

[cocojax]

Hi MissNaiad glad you could join us, we have a great group of friendly people here. If you have any questions we will find the answers for you. Feel free to join in any time, hopefully see you in Phil's Gym for some exercise or for a chat in Over the back fence...
My name is CoCojax ( aka Ellen)

www.copdcanada.ca/ COPD CANADA Patient Network is a Parent Website and Organization filled with information and a free sign-up. Please feel free to check it out also.

[John]

[bobbioh]

It was very nice meeting you at chat tonight. WELCOME and I hope you feel comfortable and join right in!. At the fence or the Gym or Chat Or wherever, Bobbi

[cheryl]

Welcome to the Group!

[Artty34]

MissNaiad.

I am new also, welcome.

Artty 34

[MissNaiad]

Hi all! Thank you for the warm welcome. I told some of you in chat that I have been lurking for awhile, poking around in the many different threads and am now able to post about me.

If this should be posted somewhere else let me know and I can move it ;D

I was diagnosed with COPD in May 2007
I like my Doctor and am pleased with the care he gives me
I had a Pulmonary Function Test in July 2007 and this is what it says:
Marked reduction in FEV1 to 1.04 L 35% predicted
Moderate reduction in FVC to 2.42 L 67% predicted
There was a 19% improvement after the use of bronchodilator
Lung volumes show elevated TLC and RV
Diffusion capacity is markedly reduced to 57% predicted
Impression:
Reversible marked air flow obstruction. This is compatible with COPD

I was prescribed the following:

Advair 250 diskus (50mcg salmetrol / 250mcg fluticasone) one inhaled dose every 12 hours (I never miss the dose but have faltered from the exact time of dose, within the hour)

Salbutamol HFA (100mcg) this is to be used as a rescue inhaler (rarely used since the Advair works well for me)

Atrovent HFA two inhaled doses every six hours (this was prescribed to me at a later date and I was told it is to dry up the phlegm (I manage "max" three per day, sometimes I have missed getting all doses in)

Some questions I have:

How often should I have a PFT?

[muffin]

I think that all depends on your doctor. My doctor does not give them unless he feels a need for it as in if I were to have a hospital stay etc. He says they are just numbers and goes more on how I feel. However, some doctors give them annually. Glad you found us, and have a good stay.

[Joyce7]

Welcome Miss Naiad. Make yourself at home....
Joyce in SC

[cocojax]

Dec 14, 2008 14:50:23 GMT -5 MissNaiad said:

Hi all! Thank you for the warm welcome. I told some of you in chat that I have been lurking for awhile, poking around in the many different threads and am now able to post about me.

If this should be posted somewhere else let me know and I can move it ;D

I was diagnosed with COPD in May 2007
I like my Doctor and am pleased with the care he gives me
I had a Pulmonary Function Test in July 2007 and this is what it says:
Marked reduction in FEV1 to 1.04 L 35% predicted
Moderate reduction in FVC to 2.42 L 67% predicted
There was a 19% improvement after the use of bronchodilator
Lung volumes show elevated TLC and RV
Diffusion capacity is markedly reduced to 57% predicted
Impression:
Reversible marked air flow obstruction. This is compatible with COPD

I was prescribed the following:

Advair 250 diskus (50mcg salmetrol / 250mcg fluticasone) one inhaled dose every 12 hours (I never miss the dose but have faltered from the exact time of dose, within the hour)

Salbutamol HFA (100mcg) this is to be used as a rescue inhaler (rarely used since the Advair works well for me)

Atrovent HFA two inhaled doses every six hours (this was prescribed to me at a later date and I was told it is to dry up the phlegm (I manage "max" three per day, sometimes I have missed getting all doses in)

Some questions I have:

How often should I have a PFT?

Hi Miss Naid I think Muffin is right in what she says, a lot depends on your condition, for me I have one about every 6 months as I am being monitored...I think each one of us is different though...

[chrisw]

Just to add my two bits - the last one I had was about five years ago - when I lived in the US and applied for disability ;D ;D
But I have my own pocket FEV1/peak flow meter, and I used that about a year ago ;D
When it comes down to what really matters, it is not about FEV1 numbers but about how you are living. (Unless, of course, you need the numbers for bragging rights on support groups, as in "He doesn't know what he is talking about his FEV1 is only 55%" - OK - just kidding, but some (other) support groups can be a bit like that )
Seriously, It doesn't do any harm to know what your FEV1 is, and your doctor should have an idea what it is, and whether it is trending down too fast - this may be particularly important if you are young and might have Alpha1 emphysema, as there is a special drug to counter the effects of Alpha1.
Your drug prescriptions are fairly standard, but you might want to ask whether Spiriva might be more suitable than Atrovent (the BC gov. seems to think Spiriva is a little extravagant compared to Atrovent, and won't pay for it without "Special Authorization" from your doctor, and they won't give that unless you have tried Atrovent and it "was not effective for you").
Some of us prefer Symbicort to Advair, but they are both effective drugs for most people. Watch you rinse well after the Advair - the inhaled steroid tends to promote thrush if you don't.
See - I checked the Map and found that you are a "neighbour" - welcome to the forum - just ask and we promise to try not to confuse you too much ;D
;D