COPD slypei

[slypei]

I'm New to all this, I was just diagnosed in January and still have a million questions. I guess you can say I was a little thrown off. I've been a smoker for almost 40 years but am quitting again, I am 49 will be 50 Sept 11th. I was told in 2001 by my old GP that at 31yrs I had Asthma wrong, I have been at my local Emerg Dept numerous times and hve been given neb masks , Prenizone and anti's my last time I was in so much discomfort and pain that they put me on a heart monitor ( heart is great) I haven't been seen by a respirolist b/c I haven't been referred, an dI don't know how to. I live in PEI so if any one can send me suggestinons on how to get the proper tests done so that I know what stage I'm at with this, the emerg doctors said 60% when I asked him what level I was on but also sa ???id that that was a guess

[John]

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Welcome Slypei!

Well; heck of a way to meet but we're glad you joined! The people here are great, at various disease stages, understanding and mainly patients. What they don't know; they'll certainly send you in the right direction.

There's a lot you can do for yourself but to address your immediate query...... you said you've not seen a specialist and you've not had any testing even though you've been on meds and you've been told you you're mild to moderate?? What's the Dr got? A crstal ball or something?

The only "true Way" to know where you are in your breathing is with a breathing test. Spirometry or Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) Your family Dr can set that up for you. It's usually done in a Respirology or Astma Clinic. ASK HIM for it!

Now, chances are things are done the same in PEI as they are here in Nova Scotia. Chances are for spirometry (which is still a VG test, you won't get to see a specialist..... For the resu;lts of a PFT, chances are you will. However; at your potential stage etc I can't see them sending you to a specialist..... yet That's only done in our neck of the woods when there's things that your GP isn't comfortable with or you need more of a specialist's knowledge and training. (Poor choice of words on my part but you get the drift)

If you go to our main website, you can read all about the Spirometry and PFT tests as well as the stages.... www.copdcanada.ca/understanding_your_numbers.htm It's non invasive and painless by the way.... just a lot of huffing and puffing!

So...... first things first. See your GP and INSIST on a breathing test. That's where you start!

Good Luck!

[sandy07]

Welcome Slypei. Great bunch of people here with much first hand information. Enjoy and learn.

[mary57]

I'm glad to 'meet' you, a lot of your questions can be answered on the main website. There are also a lot of people here that can help/give ideas and support as you go along. As Jackie said, make your GP order a test, it's the only way you can know. Make your GP sit and explain this to you. Hoping to see you at the fence.

[martie]

Welcome Sly, hope you enjoy the forum as much as I have. Everyone is so helpful in directing to the answers. I may be not thinking, but where is PEI?

[slypei]

again sorry, my GP was the one to order the breathing tests to beging with and that is when I was told I had COPD, I get so confused because I am at the Emerg so often I am just finishing up another round of Prednizone I asked the doctor what level of this I wa at he said 60% and I have no idea what that means, I need to know what other tests I should have done so when I go see my GP again on Mar 22nd I can have alist that I can present to him

[aero63]

Welcome slypei and glad you joined

[susanny]

Welcome, slypei (yeah, we US people don't know what PEI is), I am gathering from what you've said that the er dr. told you that you had COPD and is the one who ran the spirometry test. What other tests, by the way, did he run? My next step would be as Blossom suggested, call and set up an appt. with your GP. Get your test results from that ER visit and bring them along with you to the GP. Ask for a PFT (puliminary function test), this is what will give you the percentage rate of use that your lungs have. You need a regimand of medications to be on to protect what you have and slow down any further progession. Don't get in a panic, we've all been where you are and we're still here having a great time. Show the dr. by your actions that you are not ready to lay down and die, and you'll have a great relationship with the dr. You obviously know that quitting smoking is #1, exercise is #2. Strive for length of time exercising to begin with and work up the speed (ie if you're walking).

I hope to hear more from you soon, Take care, Sue

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Sly.... please read my post again. Including if you want to know what the stages are .... www.copdcanada.ca/understanding_your_numbers.htm And as Sue mentioned there's a LOT of good info on the site...... including what to ask your Dr etc.

BUT; I also have to caution you at this point...... they're only numbers and how you do on the tests one day may be totally different abother day PLUS; the only real thing that counts is how YOU feel.

Technically at 60%, you're "Moderate" and there's not much you shouldn't be able to do though jogging might be a problem .

Also, and again, at this point where you are, you will not be referred to a specialist unless there's on-going, unresolved problems. Sounds like that's you with your trips to the ER. You shouldn't really be having those on going problems at this stage (IMHO) So; ASK your GP to send you to one. No; INSIST! I would!

[bobbioh]

Welcome jump in anywhere Bobbi