Copd flare up

Hi bassman and thanks for your post. I'm sorry you had these flare-ups so recently, especially after treatment. While we cannot provide medical advice or diagnostics over the internet (for your own safety), I would suggest you speak with your doctor again since the symptoms seem to be persisting. This may require more than just over-the-counter remedies. What do you think?
Leon (site moderator)

Hi bassman, it sounds as you might be suffering a similar illness that many having been battling since late Dec./early Jan. I just started about 2 weeks ago with what seemed to be a stuffy head, stuffy nose (difficulty breathing through nose), ears achy--popping some, head felt really congested and mild to moderate headache pain in the frontal area. Even a little pain above upper teeth, I kind of ignored it and thought it might be a viral sinus infection. But, this past Tues eve./Wed morn. began the dreaded flare symptoms. My biggest problem is that I feel there is a weight on my chest and some shortness of breath. Can't bring phlegm/sputum up. I'm on day 4 of 40mg. Prednisone, tomorrow is last of it and a Z-pack, plus I'm on every 4 hour Pro-Air inhaler and Generic Mucinex (which seems to be doing nothing). Is this anything similar to your exp., recently? I agree with Leon Lebowitz, BA RFT. I think it might be best to reach our to your doctor. I'm not sure there is much OTC medications can do for you. You may need more antibiotics, or something. But they will know that, not me!! Best of luck to you! I hope you begin to mend quickly.

I had RLL lung surgery over a year ago, Stage 1a thanks to low dose screening!! I lost 2/3rd of the lobe, sorry if that sounds awful. About four months ago I noticed my oxygen saturation will start to drop below 85 when I might just be sitting watching TV, or standing still. There is no reason since it is so sporatic. I still could do a 6-minute walk test, and the FEV1 was 150, and DLCO 50 last week at the pulmonologists. I've had more flares since the weather has been horrible in the mid-west this year. The pulmonologist said this was happening because I have not given my lungs enough chance to recover from the flares. I'm to use my mini-go if I go below 98, or if I can't articulate a full sentence. I use 02 at night now.

I know I'm lucky to have kept these higher numbers since I quite smoking 8 years ago. When the VATs surgery was done the surgeon had to put in two suture lines. He found really bad adhesions where a bicyclist had sent me to intensive care 8 years ago. The nodule was in scar tissue from that accident.

I'm just wondering if anyone has heard of this. My GP had said something about me having 4 more years left a couple weeks ago, but I hadn't had the recent PFT done at that point.

Hi twovillages and thanks for sharing this part of your medical history with the community. We appreciate your candor. Perhaps others in the community will chime in and lend whatever experiences they have that might be similar to yours.
I did want to mention that it's unfair for anyone, including doctors) to predict how much time you have left. In many ways, that is irresponsible. Did you speak with the doctor further after that comment was made?
Leon (site moderator)