COPD exacerbation: How long does it take to feel better?

Posted by marley1 @marley1, Aug 29, 2020

I had two hospital stays in 6 weeks. This was my first time. Sent home with O2 only at night. Seems like it is taking a while to get my energy. How long do the exasperation take before the inflammation is down and you feel better?

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@mrbill

Yes Merry, I am also taking Trelegy. I just have to be careful that I don't puff out when taking a breath in. I have blown the med out the wrong way a couple of times. 90 seems to be the magical number; even if not the best. I have taken several deep breaths after a low reading and lo and behold it rises a few points.

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@mrbill- lol, I know what you mean, especially taking it first thing in the morning! I take it on a full stomach. I found that it made me shake. Food helps cut that down, as advised by my pulmonologist.

You have it right on how to raise your O2 level. Relax, sit back, and take several inhales. I've raised mine up quite a bit after exercising by do thing this.

Have you experienced shaking from this or an increase in shaking that you already had?

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No problem with shaking. Dr. has me on 5 mg Prednisone . That was prescribed by medical oncologist and goes with Zytiga. Respiratory Doctor at clinic said she would not object to 10 mg. Tried that and had a hard time sleeping. In hospital they had me taking 30 mg. Of course they had these nice little pills that helped you sleep. Only time I was shaking then was when nurse, who ran needles over sandpaper before giving injection, came in.

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I started on 15mg for wheezing and congestion (also very winded). It worked great-completely cleared up the wheezing. Now I’m on 10mg- ehhh I have a little congestion and wheezing again, but tolerable. I’m suppose to go to 5mg in a week. I’m scared this will not be strong enough yet I also don’t want to be on prednisone forever. What is this wheezing and congestion about?? Maybe this is gonna never go away. I haven’t been able to go to the hospital for follow up ct scan (I can’t wear a mask) soooo I don’t know. My pulmonologist said maybe it’s allergies- which I would love this to be true but.... unlikely. Nebulizer doesn’t do much for me. I also have this weird thing when I’m about to fall asleep I start to cough. I’m not laying flat.. it’s almost like a gasp. Once I have a “cough attack” I can fall asleep normally. Is it a change in breathing pattern, idk. Anyone else have this?

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@mrbill

No problem with shaking. Dr. has me on 5 mg Prednisone . That was prescribed by medical oncologist and goes with Zytiga. Respiratory Doctor at clinic said she would not object to 10 mg. Tried that and had a hard time sleeping. In hospital they had me taking 30 mg. Of course they had these nice little pills that helped you sleep. Only time I was shaking then was when nurse, who ran needles over sandpaper before giving injection, came in.

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@mrbill- Hospitals, double-edged swords, eh? I hate needles. A lot of times they hurt and then the nurse won't re-position it thinking that she did a great job. I once had a nurse out a needle in a vein near my tricep because she couldn't find a good vein anywhere else. I had another nurse take it out and put it where it should have gone. I have great veins. lol

So how are you doing in general? What are you doing during the day?

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@mrbill

Hi Marley,
Yikes! Twice in 6 weeks. Same happened to me. They sent me home from rehab after couple days in ICU and a few in regular hospital care. Then on to rehab for 4 days and then home. I was home for a couple of days with oxygen and then second exacerbation. Back to ICU for couple of days (along with last rights) and then from one level of care to another in hospital. Back to rehab. I spent a total of 3 1/2 months between rehab and hospital. I was in rehab had issues and ended up back in hospital. This happened several times. It seems I had flu and pneumonia.

How long was each hospital visit for you?

Are you on oxygen at home? - They sent me home with it and doubting if I would ever not need it 24/7. After a few weeks I tried it with no o2 and found my levels to be constantly at 93 to 98. However, I am, by no means, a doctor or even a member of the medical community, other than a patient. So I would certainly consult with Doctor before discontinuing Oxygen.

Have you been prescribed Prednisone? I learned the hard way that it should be taken with food. The folks at the hospital and rehab did not give me Prednisone with food. The result was a GI bleed. Black stool and all. This was at rehab, so back to the hospital we went. After four units of blood they took me to surgery and welded everything shut. Couple days in hospital, back to rehab.

I find myself babbling now. So I will shut up.
However, I do wish you the best. As you see, things do get better.

Mr. Bill

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Wow, you really have had a lot in a short time. They sent me home with O2 only at night. They claim that it was caused by a panic attack. Have never had one before so I thought it was my heart. Going to Rehab next week for the first time. Hope you get stronger every day.

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Marley,
I wish you the best with rehab. Have you been told how often you will have to go? Or for how long? It will surely be good for your lungs, muscle tone, etc. Not too mention the fact it will give you some tools to work with at home.
Take care,
Mr. Bill

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@merpreb

@mrbill- Hospitals, double-edged swords, eh? I hate needles. A lot of times they hurt and then the nurse won't re-position it thinking that she did a great job. I once had a nurse out a needle in a vein near my tricep because she couldn't find a good vein anywhere else. I had another nurse take it out and put it where it should have gone. I have great veins. lol

So how are you doing in general? What are you doing during the day?

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Merry,
In general I am not doing bad at all. Considering the COPD, Cancer, and a few other health concerns. I just go about my day trying to keep up. Like mowing the grass, weed trimming, etc. Went to grocery store for curbside, drugstore, swept the garage, and cleaned out inside of two cars today. So I try and keep up. I can't sit on my duff unless I have a good book, maybe a glass of wine to go with it. It really bothers me though when the kids tell me to sit and take it easy. I dunno, must look worse than I feel.
I really do not need rescue inhaler unless it is one of those muggy days. Then if I take it easy I am ok without inhaler.

Fracturedd,
The Nurse told me they had to wean me off Prednisone. Was taking 30,they dropped me to 20 for several days, and on till I got too five. I had some issues when they went from 30 mg to 20 mg. But it cleared.

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@mrbill

Merry,
In general I am not doing bad at all. Considering the COPD, Cancer, and a few other health concerns. I just go about my day trying to keep up. Like mowing the grass, weed trimming, etc. Went to grocery store for curbside, drugstore, swept the garage, and cleaned out inside of two cars today. So I try and keep up. I can't sit on my duff unless I have a good book, maybe a glass of wine to go with it. It really bothers me though when the kids tell me to sit and take it easy. I dunno, must look worse than I feel.
I really do not need rescue inhaler unless it is one of those muggy days. Then if I take it easy I am ok without inhaler.

Fracturedd,
The Nurse told me they had to wean me off Prednisone. Was taking 30,they dropped me to 20 for several days, and on till I got too five. I had some issues when they went from 30 mg to 20 mg. But it cleared.

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@mrbill- Good morning. Kids will tell parents to sit even if they have a cold, lol. I don't venture out on muggy days, it's like walking through water. I live in southern New England and our summers are not fun now because of increased periods of high humidity. A few years ago we installed a new heating/cooling system that has HEPA filters from CARJON. When I'm inside and the air is turned on it's as if I don't have COPD or lung cancer and that I'm not missing so much lung tissue. When we have the heat on I don't get stuffed up and it's the same feeling and I'm toasty warm.

Have a wonderful weekend.

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@merpreb

@mrbill- Good morning. Kids will tell parents to sit even if they have a cold, lol. I don't venture out on muggy days, it's like walking through water. I live in southern New England and our summers are not fun now because of increased periods of high humidity. A few years ago we installed a new heating/cooling system that has HEPA filters from CARJON. When I'm inside and the air is turned on it's as if I don't have COPD or lung cancer and that I'm not missing so much lung tissue. When we have the heat on I don't get stuffed up and it's the same feeling and I'm toasty warm.

Have a wonderful weekend.

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Yes, our heating/cooling system had something similar. it is an active filter we bought for our daughter's allergies. It operates with electric energy passing through thin strands of wire. Worked pretty good for her. I was also told it produces a small amount of ozone which cleans the air. Now our daughter is off on her own, and the air cleaner is broke. Been using Merv13 filters that fit into the filter cabinet. You have a good weekend as well.

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@mrbill

Marley,
I wish you the best with rehab. Have you been told how often you will have to go? Or for how long? It will surely be good for your lungs, muscle tone, etc. Not too mention the fact it will give you some tools to work with at home.
Take care,
Mr. Bill

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Just going to orientation then I will get more information.

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