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breathing problems

Posted by Mary L on 11/3/2009, 3:40 pm
70.50.65.136

Hi everybody...I hope somebody out there can help me...as I have called my respirologist and he won't be back until the end of November...(actually i have an appointment with him Nove 30)...for the last few weeks my breathing has been dreadful...I have to use my "in house" 02 almost everywhere I go
(in my house)...I have been on 02 for about 1 year....I work out twice week....use 02..
but - nprmally I don't have to use my 02 in the house unless I am climbing stairs etc...
my fev 1 .75..oximeter with 02 is around 94%
without around 88%...but -my question is -
why ,,,,all of a sudden has my breathing taken a dive?? no flu symptoms....no cold
nothing....I realize that Emphysema is a progressive disease....but this fast????
help!!

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by CarolCA on 11/3/2009, 5:22 pm, in reply to "breathing problems"
98.248.53.53

This is only the 3rd of Novemeber. Surely there is someone else that you can talk to. A month away from patients without someone to take over is inexcusable. I would ask who else you can speak to. It may be weather related. No, emphysema does't progress this fast. I have had episodes where my breathing was bad for a few weeks, no infection and then it just got better, I found that a short burst of Prednisone usually did the trick for me.

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Mary L on 11/3/2009, 6:13 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
70.50.65.136

Hi Carole...I agree with you....I also have some Predisone..but before I take that...I will try the antibotics....yes...there other respirologists in Toronto...but - they don't know me...if it gets a lot worse I will see if I can get my GP to recommend one that is available...thanks for the info...

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by CarolCA on 11/3/2009, 7:14 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
98.248.53.53

Well, I would probably do the reverse of what you are doing because I don't want to overuse an antibiotic and never know what is around the corner when I might need one. With the Pred you don't build up a resistance. My doctors always have someone on call when they are not available.

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Mary L on 11/4/2009, 6:47 am, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
70.50.65.136

Hi Carole...thanks for the advice...and yes I started the Predisone last evening...but - I feel the side-effects of Predisone are not exactly great...but - it is a great product...this morning I feel better...not terrific...but better.....thanks again....

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by John O. on 11/3/2009, 9:35 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
69.129.197.8

Carol, I think that certain of us, and I count myself as one, DO build up a resistance or tolerqnce to prednisone over the years. It takes more to do the same job, and it's harder to quit. I tend to worry about that more than antibiotic resistance. In addition to using antis for flares I take 500mg Azithromycin three times a week to prevent infections.

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Laurie on 11/5/2009, 7:33 am, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
71.159.231.8

John: Your post is interesting. I take 250mg of Erythromycin twice a day on the advice of my Pulmonologist. She quoted a study where this was found to be effective in warding off exacerbations in COPD patients.

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by CarolCA on 11/3/2009, 11:42 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
98.248.53.53

I guess that may be true, John though I have never heard that. I know people that have been on Pred for years for other things and they never had to up their doses. I use both very seldom but I worry if I did have a bad bug that the antibiotic they gave me wouldn't work like it was supposed to. They talk about all these superbugs so that was my thinking. I have not been on a pred burst for a very long time either but on occasion will take one for a bad breathing day.

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by John O. on 11/3/2009, 4:13 pm, in reply to "breathing problems"
69.129.197.8

Sometimes the only symptom of a flareup/bacterial infection is increased shortness of breath for no apparent reason. Do you have an antibiotic on hand or is there an on-call number for your doctor or his/her nurse to get a prescription?

Another symptom to watch out for is mucus production , especially with a color to it.

As far as the progression of the disease, the need for more supplementaal O2 does increase over the long haul==or so I've found it.

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Mary L on 11/3/2009, 4:29 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
70.50.65.136

Yes.John..I do have an antibiotic on hand...and yes my sputum has increased...I will start on the antibiotics immediately..
thanks...and I will let you know how I feel...

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by John O. on 11/3/2009, 9:31 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
69.129.197.8

Sounds like a plan, Mary. Let us know how it goes.

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Mary L. on 11/4/2009, 6:55 am, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
70.50.65.136

Hi John....I feel better today....thanks to you....it is such a scary disease...when you
don't have any of the normal hints ie...sore throat....etc..just can't breathe.....
it was certainly something I don't want to get too often...I am also taking predisone...I very rarely get sick...sooo I have had not a problem with becoming immune to predisone or antibiotics....(i am sure that will change as the disease progresses)
thanks again...I will let you know how I feel later this week...take care and good breathing....
t

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Chris M. on 11/4/2009, 8:45 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
72.251.74.148

Mary, I think someone mentioned weather changes affecting people seriously. You mentioned Toronto and if I recall you've had several weather fronts move over you- it can make breathing miserable!
We have an air pressure established in our lungs from outside air but become less stable when the outside air pressure barometer changes during weather changes.

It's not well documented but many of us experience the misery of changing weather. Perhaps if you start noting the barometer readings each day and weather changes, you'll have a good explanation of the shortness of breath on certain days, as the changes occur. It sure beats taking drugs and worrying. Gives new meaning to griping about the weather. Hope you feel better soon.

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Mary L on 11/6/2009, 1:55 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
70.50.65.136

Thanks Chris...I had heard about the weather problems...but - my lungs are sooo sore that I am using a heating pad...also I have a lot of phlem that hasn't broken...just got myself some NAC..plus I am on 6 - 5mg Prednisone and 1000 mg Biaxin(per day) for the last 3 days...I am brathing a little better...I guess it will take time...
thanks again for your response....the funny thing about my sputum... it is clear....it was yellow...soo I must be doing something right...

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Chris M. on 11/6/2009, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
72.251.74.254

Please don't forget to keep drinking water, too. It's hard to keep on coughing the mucous when you aren't replacing fluids to help keep it loose. Sounds like you are past the worst of it...

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Mary L on 11/7/2009, 8:28 am, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
70.50.65.136

thanks Chris....except that "jittery feeling" I guess that is a side effect from the Predisone?? I still feel I have a lot of muscus....but - hopefully the NAC will help...thanks again for everything....

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Chris M. on 11/7/2009, 9:30 pm, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
72.251.73.84

Prednisone encourages me to clean closets I'm so restless...not good. I know it's suggested that people have tried up to as much as 2400 mg of NAC safely, but I'm chicken- since it is effective, the most I've ever used was a 600mg capsule 3 times a day. It does take some patience tho...
Maybe do some light leg lifts while lying down, upper body stretching a bit, to wear off some energy from the steroid. It'll give you a head start for when you are feeling better...

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Re: breathing problems

Posted by Mary L on 11/8/2009, 8:10 am, in reply to "Re: breathing problems"
70.50.65.136

thanks Chris...I appreciate your thoughts...
and actually I do upper body excerises everyday...the one I miss is the treadmill..
as I am still not well enough to do that...but that will come...thanks again

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