1. < COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COPD and Emphysema: Confused by pulmonary function test and more

Posted by redsox @redsox, May 29, 2018

Confused by PFT. So much to absorb ! What are the treatments for Mild, Moderate and Severe ?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Support Group.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jun 10, 2020
In reply to @janrn1 "Where are my COPD people? Are you here?" + (show)
@janrn1

Where are my COPD people? Are you here?

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@janrn1- Good morning Jan. I also have COPD and emphysema caused by smoking. Unfortunately, I also have stage 4 lung cancer from it. I hear that you are feeling pretty lousy. I know that it takes a while for some bacteria to grow. Have any of your doctors suggested how you can feel better while you wait?

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mrbill | @mrbill | Jun 10, 2020
In reply to @janrn1 "Where are my COPD people? Are you here?" + (show)
@janrn1

Where are my COPD people? Are you here?

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Been living with COPD for past 10 years. Last January ended up in ER unable to breath. Spent few days in hospital. After back home for a couple days and back to ER, then ICU. Found out I had Pneumonia and flu along with the COPD. Make a long story short I was between rehab and hospital several times. Didn't get back home for 3 1/2 months. On oxygen when I came home. We went for a ride up in the NY dutch country (about 20 miles) I took my portable tank with me, but did not wear it. For four hours my oximeter reading stayed between 92 - 97. Used oxygen off and on back home and at night. O2 readings still good. Finally a few weeks ago I did not use any oxygen and reading between 92 - 98. I guess for someone with severe COPD I can count my blessings. I don't know if they tested me for COVID, but I would like to find out. I know when I woke up in ICU i was intubated and my hands tied down. Tried to communicate with wife and three daughters by pointing to letters on special card. Not a chance.
I just am grateful to be home and improving. Oh ya, throw in two plural effusions. Each time removing a large family soda bottle of liquid. Then toss in a GI bleed and 4 bags of blood because I was not getting food with prednisone. The had to go in and weld that leak shut. Time to stop complaining. Thought it might help others going thru similar issues.

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janrn1 | @janrn1 | Jun 10, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @janrn1, you'll notice that I moved your message to an active discussion where you'll meet..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @janrn1, you'll notice that I moved your message to an active discussion where you'll meet others living with COPD like @catcatanzaro60 @fracturedd @marczappa @bb729 @jgpolachek @mrbill @sews and more.

Jan, tell us more about you. How long have you been living with COPD? Are you currently on oxygen? What does life look like for you these days?

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I was diagnosed in August 2015 while hospitalized. I have extremely severe emphysema and am waiting for other test results. I am feeling lousy and think I have at least 1 Dr who is listening to me. After many ct scans, 1 with contrast and 1 without I am clear for Pneumonia and a Pulmonary Emboli. I just started Augmentin, prednisone 15 mg, and budesonide through a nebulizer. I am grateful to be here with you all. Thanks, Jan

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janrn1 | @janrn1 | Jun 10, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@erasmus- Welcome to America and Mayo Clinic Connect. It must be scary and frustrating to be..." + (show)
@merpreb

@erasmus- Welcome to America and Mayo Clinic Connect. It must be scary and frustrating to be so far from medical help. We are not doctors or medical professionals We are patients helping other patients with similar difficulties. We can't give you any medical advice. I suggest that you might call your pharmacy with questions regarding dosages. Also perhaps, see if you can call and speak with your doctor.
Here is an explanation regarding nebulizers.
Nebulizer treatment works by atomizing liquid medicine into an inhalable gas form, which can then be easily breathed in by the patient as they wear a nebulizer mask. Nebulizer medicine also dissipates into the lungs faster, so it can enter the bloodstream more quickly to provide relief as fast as possible. So in short, your nebulizer is a delivery system for medicine that was prescribed for your problem. Are you experiencing more discomfort, pain or difficulty breathing? Do you think that liquid has filled your lungs out more since your last procedure?

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Hi Merry, I am experiencing sob after my nebulizing treatment with budesonide This is a new medication for me and I also started on 15 mg od Prednisone. Could it be to much? Just looking for someone who shares this experience..

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1 reply
mrbill | @mrbill | Jun 10, 2020

Hi Jan,
Glad you are here as well. Has the Budesonide had any affect on your blood pressure or heart rate? I had sob after nebulizer treatment. Is was in rehab center when it happened. I just sat quietly for awhile taking deep breaths and it did go away. Once they loaded me in ambulance and carted me from rehab to hospital. That's when they found buildup of liquid and had to drain it. I finally told them we should try nebulizer treatment as needed. That seemed to help me. Now I just use rescue inhaler when needed. Which is maybe once a week.
Keep up the fight & Best Wishes,
Mr. Bill

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jun 10, 2020
In reply to @janrn1 "Hi Merry, I am experiencing sob after my nebulizing treatment with budesonide This is a new..." + (show)
@janrn1

Hi Merry, I am experiencing sob after my nebulizing treatment with budesonide This is a new medication for me and I also started on 15 mg od Prednisone. Could it be to much? Just looking for someone who shares this experience..

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Jan I have not had your experience. You would have to ask your Dr. why he prescribed Prednisone. Are you on a dose withdrawal or take 25 mg. daily? Prednisone will help with swelling. Mr. Bill asked good questions.

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juliette39 | @juliette39 | Jun 11, 2020
In reply to @waterboy "Red...I am at the border of mod/severe. 48% lung function. 68 yrs old, male. I use..." + (show)
@waterboy

Red...I am at the border of mod/severe. 48% lung function. 68 yrs old, male. I use 2L O2 at night, use a nebulizer (covered under part B), meds are Brovana x2 and ipratropium bromide x4, and use albuterol prn (also under part B).
I vol for clinical trials when avail at Mayo, they aren't so scary. I am using respiratory therapy and try to remain positive. Just remember "I have COPD, but COPD hasn't got me."

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How often do you use the nebulizer? Do you use it with albuterol or saline? Thanks

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mrbill | @mrbill | Jun 11, 2020

When I was in hospital and then rehab I was given 2.5 mg albuterol sulfate, or 5 mg Ipratopium Bromide mixed with 3mg albuterol sulfate. This was 4 times daily. However, in both hospital and rehab respiratory therapist sometimes only showed up twice a day. Not often, but often enough to make me wonder. Seems there was another mix containing the drug Duoneb, which I think is the same as Albuterol, but not sure. You may want to try the University of Google and see if they can explain the different drugs.

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rogereddy | @rogereddy | Apr 17, 2021
In reply to @waterboy "Red...I am at the border of mod/severe. 48% lung function. 68 yrs old, male. I use..." + (show)
@waterboy

Red...I am at the border of mod/severe. 48% lung function. 68 yrs old, male. I use 2L O2 at night, use a nebulizer (covered under part B), meds are Brovana x2 and ipratropium bromide x4, and use albuterol prn (also under part B).
I vol for clinical trials when avail at Mayo, they aren't so scary. I am using respiratory therapy and try to remain positive. Just remember "I have COPD, but COPD hasn't got me."

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What kind of stuff do you volunteer for at the Mayo Clinic do they have stem cell research I have confessed, very bad I just want to live very badly I'm open to qualify for the Zephyr valve but I'm not sure if that's going to even happen

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4 replies
rogereddy | @rogereddy | Apr 17, 2021
In reply to @rogereddy "What kind of stuff do you volunteer for at the Mayo Clinic do they have stem..." + (show)
@rogereddy

What kind of stuff do you volunteer for at the Mayo Clinic do they have stem cell research I have confessed, very bad I just want to live very badly I'm open to qualify for the Zephyr valve but I'm not sure if that's going to even happen

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I'm sorry it was supposed to say I have emphysema very badly

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