C.O.P.D

Poppyg1rl

Hi everyone,
Hope you're all having as pain free a day as is possible
Quick question, does anyone suffer from C.O.P.D and PsA but doesn't and has never smoked? my GP prescribed a seratide inhaler 2 puffs twice a day, it has really helped with the breathlessness ive been suffering from, my GP now wants me to stay on it and thinks I may have C.O.P.D, upon a little bit of research on NHS website they ALL say most contributory factors causing the disease is smoking, but I don't and have nevèr smoked.
However, I did grow up in a home where both my parents were good 40 - 60 cigarettes a day, I wondered if that could be the cause.
Whatever it is, I'm grateful to my super hero of a GP for not just putting everything down to my PSA, the rib pain is definately due to it but he wanted to see if treating my lungs would help with the chest pain and it has.
Sorry of this is a really complicated post! nothings ever bloomin easy is it?
Love and gentle hugs to you all (((((()))))) Xxx

barbara12

Hi Poppy
Sorry I dont have a clue what C.O.P.D is, but I do know that we learn something new everyday.
Whatever it is, I am so glad you have such a good GP, mine puts everything down to Arthur
Hope the meds work for you, then you can get rid of the chest pain for good.

stickywicket

Sorry, I can’t help, Poppy. I, too, thought COPD tended to be the outcome of years on cigarettes, or down the pit. You’ve certainly inhaled a lot of passive smoke during your childhood but I would have thought that would have resulted in childhood asthma rather than adult COPD. I do hope the inhaler helps.

tkachev

I have read of other non smokers getting c.o.p.d and am also going to ask about this with my Rheummyy nuse as all the symptoms are on my radar.

I have smoked in the past but not heavily and have not smoked since5 Sept 2010

Elizabeth

stickywicket

Quick hijack for tkachev.

I think not smoking for 15-16 months might not yet have had an impact. Most people I know who gave up smoking had distinctly worse chests for quite some time after. I can't remember this happening with me but I do recall the only reason I didn't start yet again was because I knew I'd never give it up again.

tkachev

Thanks Sticky. I agree with you. I never considered myself much of a smoker, but had a bad time when divorced in my 30's and got into smoking a pack or two most days. But I also had parents who smoked and spent many an evening in smokey clubs. And my OH smokes,
But I have most of the signs of c.o.p.d and will get it checked out.
Interesting point about those who give up getting chesty. Don't think I will start again as too expensive!

Elizabeth

kellerman

Hi,
I stopped smoking in 1967 two years before I had my first baby and I remember having a really bad chest and cough.
I didn't smoke many and haven't smoked since and never had any chest infections since.
Yet I was told in October by my OP specialist to stop!!!!
Apparently something to do with the pulse in my ankle.

Poppy...it sounds like the RA doesn't it or passive smoking.
I do hope it improves soon. May

dibdab

Hi,
I have RA and have recently been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, which is part of the COPD spectrum of diseases. I've never smoked, and the respiratory consultant says it's associated with the RA which is scarring my lungs. After 11 chest infections in 14 months it took a change in rheumy consultant to get a CT scan and referal to the respiratory dept.

I'm now taking 19 pills a day with the RA and COPD- deep joy!!!! Still struggling to get my head round the dual diagnosis, some days are really hard going.

So you're not alone, and I hope that you get the help you need asap.

Take care,
Deb x

Poppyg1rl

Thankyou everybody,
I felt really confused earlier with my GP, copd? I'd never even heard of it and then when I did the research and saw it mostly was caused by smoking I was completely flummoxed, out of my entire family I am tge only one who never smoked, years of watching my Mum coughing and getting sick every morning was enough to put me off for life. Well, atleast the inhaler is helping and I'm being monitored, the next thing will be the rib bone scan to see what damage has been done thanks to the pa.
Thanks for all the support and advice you lovely people, it does feel good to know I'm not alone.
Huge big hugs to you all (((((()))))) Xxx

kellerman

Sorry Poppy for hi-jacking your post.

Delboy...Was the blocked artery put down to you smoking?
I struggle to walk but have been told I have Plantar Fasciitis but also cracking ankles and knees.

I was really surprised when I was told to stop smoking!!!!1967 seems a long enough time to me to rid me of any after effects of the smoke.

Again Poppy I'm really sorry to but in on your post. May

Poppyg1rl

Hi May,
Please don't worry about 'hi jacking' my thread, you are finding out about important health issues that other wonderful members can help you with.
That is why this forum is so fantastic, we all care and if we can help each othe we will. Thankyou again to everyone for your support. Xxx

kellerman

Oh Poppy,
It makes you think what we would have if we did smoke.
I was amused at the time when he told me stop....my daughter looked shocked...shes 42 and has never seen me smoke.Well she wouldn't as I'd stopped 4 years before she was born.
I do hope you improve soon.I know you went to have something done and were disappointed that they couldn't do it because of the breathing.
Poppy...I'm sorry but without going back on the thread I can't remember what it was.I'm blaming the pain dullers for that but it could be age related.
You look after yourself...one thing I do remember is you have to be sat on to rest....now you don't want that...do you...it won't help the breathing......May

Colin1

Hello
I have COPD / Emphysema / fibrosis still waiting for them to make their mind up. Just got over the flu it was a real bad dose of it this year or was it just because I have the bad lungs.
COPD along with many other diseases and health problems can be associated to RA and some medications that RA sufferers take. People with RA can be more likley to suffer from certain things rather than those without RA. I think there are trials going on now regarding simvastatin as we with RA have increased chance of diabetes and high blood pressure. I smoked years ago but paying for it now with lung and heart disease. That’s what they tell me. However I’m also told that some of the problems can be drug related to those meds used to treat RA such as MTX anyway I think I may have had some posts removed regarding my thoughts on Methotrexate so ill not go on about it.
Sounds like you have a great GP keep hold of that one I have now forgotten what the question was LOL
However smoking is not a good idea and i have no excuse for it. did you know tobacco contains a chemical to help you smoke without getting problems. its when you stop and your body is not getting the chemical that the problems start.
Take care
Colin

suzygirl

Hi Poppy, I am late to this :oops: my son takes the same meds as you along with a variety of others, he has severe asthma. Just wanted to mention this in case it has not been thought of. I am sure it has, as your gp is excellent, and I am sure I am telling you something you already know.

bambi59

Hi,
I have poly arthritis and COPD, I suffered with asthma for many years then, was diagnosed with COPD (5 years ago). I also have NEVER smoked, although my parents did, and people at work did, in the days before legislation was made. I, like you, am looking for answers, for having arthritis, and COPD I also have high blood pressure, and a heart problem. I often have chest and rib pain I do not know if this is due to arthritis or COPD, just know its painful and can hurt with every move, or deep breath at times.
I also wonder if they are all related. :???:
I am sorry I can not help, just to say your not alone, and wish you well in your search for an answer. My doctor is not forthcoming with any info, perhaps I am asking the wrong questions ?
ALL I do know is On a day like today COPD is a great problem being wheezy and, breathless by just opening the door, as the cold hits the airways, instantly making you breathless, and the cold then hits the joints and your muscles tense and causes more pain .So if you can keep warm inside, silly but simple advise, but it may keep worsening effects at bay. keep your inhaler close at hand as anything can start it off. I cannot take aspirin as it makes me wheezy and so do anti inflammatorys as well as other side effects.
sue

Poppyg1rl

Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou!
To everyone who has given me so much advice, support and kindness, I was very low over the whole c.o.p.d diagnosis initially, but thanks to your messages I actually feel quite hopeful.
The inhaler has made a huge difference, and although I still cannot bear anything to touch the ribs, my breathing has improved. The only problem is a hoarse voice and a sore throat as a side effect, but that's something I'm happy to live with.
I'm so sorry others here have c.o.p.d too, but selfish as this may sound, I'm so grateful that I'm not alone.
Thankyou again and a big hug to you all (((()))) Xx

tkachev

Thank you for bringing this subject up. I have been keeping all my worries to myself and have learnt a lot from this thread.

Elizabeth

Poppyg1rl

I'm so glad if this thread has helped you Elizabeth, one of the thing's I've learnt through all of this is thankfully, there are treatments out there to help us, why not make an appointment to see your GP and have a chat about possible c.o.p.d? with love and gentle hugs ((())) Xxx

dibdab

Hi Poppygirl,

Just a thought, but if you're using inhalers regularly that can dry out the vocal cords and give you a hoarse voice- it's a good idea to have a drink of water after your inhaler to moisten your vocal cords again, it also helps to stop you getting a sore mouth from the inhaler powder.

Glad you're feeling a bit more upbeat now-keep hanging in there- we'll all battle on together and share our worries and know how.

Deb x

bambi59

hi its me again B
you are supposed to wash the end of the inhaler each time, I can not even remove the mouthpiece with my hands but I do wipe it with a wet wipe. Hoarseness I use honey, runny honey I loose my voice regular (much to my husbands delight) this is a simple but lovely way to treat it a spoon of honey. doesn't last as long as I would like but even if I have totally lost my voice it will return for awhile after a spoon of honey. good excuse for a sweet treat and it supposed to have other good properties too. Recent research has shown that it has antibacterial properties, as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. it also soothes my coughing which is dry and hacky. worth a try
B
hope u like honey

Poppyg1rl

Hi Debs and Bambi,
Bless you both for all your advice, kindness and support, I do wash my mouth out each time I use the inhaler and I'm using a spacer device because thanks to pleuritic lungs and PsA in my ribs I can't take big breaths either in or out. The honey drink sounds good, I too have heard about its anti inflam properties, I'll definately give it a go.
Thankyou both so much, I'll keep in toycb and let you know how I get on.
Love and big huge hugs to you (((((()))))) Xxx

bambi59

hi b again not a drink pure adulterated honey at least a spoon full neat yummy!!

tkachev

Poppyg1rl wrote:

I'm so glad if this thread has helped you Elizabeth, one of the thing's I've learnt through all of this is thankfully, there are treatments out there to help us, why not make an appointment to see your GP and have a chat about possible c.o.p.d? with love and gentle hugs ((())) Xxx

I'm currently being treated for asthma by the GP so think they will go down that track. But I do need to attend a follow up review amongst many other things :roll: It will be an opportunity to ask if it could be copd.


Elizabeth