Feeling of suffocation

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Josephine Cliff Posted: 07-13-2011 11:42 AM

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Hi,

 this is my first post - hello.

For the past 12/14 days, l have had a periods  of sensations of wanting to cough, which in turn, feels as though my airways are completely blocked with mucus/phlegm. Sorry to be so graphic, but it is the only way to describe it. During this time, l cannot breathe through my mouth, l am gasping for breath, whilst trying to cough up the offending stuff. Because l am gasping for breath at this time, l am unable to breathe through my nose either, which makes me panic, making everything 10 times worse. I dread going to bed at night, in case it happens then, because l am getting really frightened when l feel it coming on. I have an appointment with my Doctor on Friday.

I was diagnosed with COPD 3 1/2 years ago, and l have never had this problem until now. 

Kind regards,

Josie

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Amazing Grace replied on 07-13-2011 11:52 AM

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Hello.  You're really unfortunate you've got me cos I  Its  know nothing but there seems to be no-one else here.

Look, it sounds awful to me and you gotta ring the help line. 08458 50 0 20.  They talk you give your number and they call you back with EXperts.  Dont delay chick.  You need help now. 

I gonna stay on here til you say youve done it. Kay

Love

S.

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Amazing Grace replied on 07-13-2011 11:53 AM

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I missed a number 08458 50 20 50

Please ring them now.

S.

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Lorien replied on 07-13-2011 12:00 PM

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Hi Josie,

I think Sylvia's idea is best, you can speak to a nurse on the helpline, I believe.  I've had awful coughing fits since yesterday lunchtime.  Sometimes I inhale particles of food and it's blummin' awful.  It finally came out about an hour ago but has still left me coughing.  It doesn't sound the same as yours though.  Good luck with it - get on that phone. xx

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Amazing Grace replied on 07-13-2011 12:03 PM

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Even 999 would be better than what she's going thru.

Josie we're watching this space

Love

S.

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Josephine Cliff replied on 07-13-2011 12:04 PM

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Hi,

Thank you for your quick response. I have just tried  calling them, but they are "experiencing difficulties, and are accepting emergency calls only". l will try them again later, as l am not in that bracket, yet LOL.

Kind regards,

Josie

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Amazing Grace replied on 07-13-2011 12:10 PM

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Oh yes you are.  Ringem. Leave your number. 

I'm waiting

Love

Mother

xxxxxx

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Lorien replied on 07-13-2011 12:11 PM

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Hi Josie, do you know what kind of copd you've got?  Is it copd + asthma or copd +emphysema?  

Also, do you know what stage you're at?  When I was first told about it, my doctor had a chart on her wall with 5 stages and she showed me that I was at stage 3 - that was a lot of years ago though.

I'm just wondering if it's worth phoning NHS direct?

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Lorien replied on 07-13-2011 12:13 PM

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You're sorted now, Josie, the cavalry has arrived. 

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Lorien replied on 07-13-2011 12:31 PM

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Did the site crash then or was it just my pc?  I thought the mods had arrived and had seen your post, Josie.

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Amazing Grace replied on 07-13-2011 12:34 PM

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Thank god for that?  How dyou know?  My BLF site went down immediately after I told her to ging 999 if all else failed.

Phew.  Was I over-reacting?

S(cared)

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Josephine Cliff replied on 07-13-2011 12:40 PM

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Hi Lorien,

My Doctor told me that is was COPD, but that was only after having to ask him, what the hospital diagnosis was.  He has not been very forthcoming at all about it. I have no idea what stage l am/was at. When l was being tested at the hospital, they did say that it was not Asthma. My husband is coming with me to see the Doctor on Friday, so maybe l will learn a bit more then.

I have just tried ringing the number again, and it is still saying the same thing, so l will try again a bit later on, as, at the moment, l am not an emergency - it happens sporadically, maybe once every 2 or 3 days - it is just SO frightening, when it does happen.

Kind regards,

Josie 

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markpilling replied on 07-13-2011 12:46 PM

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Hi

The correct number for the Helpline is 08458 50 50 20 - call us now.

Thanks

Mark

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Lorien replied on 07-13-2011 12:49 PM

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Ok, if we can put as much info as possible in this thread then, sooner or later the mods will come along and will see it.  They'll pass the info to a nurse and you'll get a reply here, if the phones are still down.

Do you still smoke?  (assuming you smoked, as most of us did).  Have you noticed a colour with the phlegm?  As you get used to it, you'll see the colour is a sign of infection.  Have you been given inhalers for the copd?  It sounds like you won't have been sent to hospital for tests, had your oxygen levels assessed and so on?

Good luck, I'm sure they'll be along soon. 

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Lorien replied on 07-13-2011 12:58 PM

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Hahahahahaha, I'm so glad it wasn't me who gave you that number!!  (wish I'd noticed it though)

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Amazing Grace replied on 07-13-2011 12:58 PM

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Of course its frightening my dear.  Its a pretty damn horrid disease. But the good (?) news is everyone on here has got it.  As I've said before we may not be in the same boat but deffo in the same fleet. You will find I expect there are people worse off than yourself.

You may not find this news much comfort   Dunno if I do or not. No I do actually.  We can all feel pretty awful but then you read about some poor beggar thats coping with two or three times the load we have.

Frankly I dont know if I over reacted to you post. I I'ma old woman who doesnt have to make many decisions.  But when you said you couldnt breathe either way it sounded pretty serious to me. What a time for the site to go down tho! Sheet! Hope you're getting taken care of now. Let us know if there's anything we can do.  Like scream.  Call 999. \call MPs. Call Ian bloody Campbell. Sorry Mark.  HAD to then.

Love

S.

Love

S.

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Josephine Cliff replied on 07-13-2011 1:19 PM

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Hi Mark,

Thank you very much. I have just finished speaking to them, and l have learned more in the last 1/2 hour, than l have for the last 3 1/2 years of having COPD. It has been extremely informative, and l shall go to my Doctors on Friday, armed up to the gills with questions LOL

Kind regards,

Josie

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rita replied on 07-13-2011 2:12 PM

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Hello Josie

Glad you found the site and even better spoken to those helpful souls on the helpline.  One thing that may help with the phlegm/sputum - takes me ages sometimes to get rid of it!  I use Mucodyne which comes in either liquid or capsule form and if it hasn't been mentioned you may wish to ask your GP when you see him on Friday.  Good luck with your visit and if you can, keep us posted on your progress.

One member on here advocates keeping a notebook of everything that happens which is useful because one can miss out on information given or forget to mention something to the GP - some of them are pretty useless aren't they??

rita  

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Josephine Cliff replied on 07-13-2011 2:27 PM

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Hi Rita,

When l spoke to the Nurse on the helpline, she suggested that l asked my Doctor about Mucodyne. She also suggested l ask him about Flixonase Spray for my Post Nasal Drip, which she thinks may be caused by Allergic Rhinitus. I have learned so much today.

Kind regards,

Josie

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markpilling replied on 07-13-2011 4:00 PM

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Hi Josie

I'm really pleased to see you managed to speak to one of the nurses - hope things start to improve.

Just wanted to take the opportunity to make a couple of general pointers for everyone's benefit..

If anyone ever has a sudden worsening of symptoms - or new symptoms that are concerning them - make sure you contact your GP - or NHS Direct etc- or Out of Hours GP service - and get some medical advice. Don't wait till you can call us on the Helpline.

Often the best advice we will give anyone in these instances is to seek medical advice locally.

I really don't want to discourage anyone from calling us but sometimes it's better to speak to your doctor etc and get the right treatment started as soon as possible.

Thanks

Mark

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Lorien replied on 07-13-2011 5:01 PM

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Hi Josie,

I've got that rhinitus and it's blummin' awful.  I take citiricide (sp?) twice a day for it.  The nasal spray didn't work for me.

Glad things worked out for you.

xx

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Josephine Cliff replied on 07-13-2011 5:26 PM

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Thanks Lorien. I'll let you know how l get on at the Doc's.

Kind regards,

Josie

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Girard82 replied on 07-14-2011 6:50 AM

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Sometimes I inhale particles of food and it's blummin' awful. It lastly arrived out about an hour ago but has nevertheless left me coughing. It doesn't seem precisely the exact as yours though. very good luck with it - get on that phone.

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Josephine Cliff replied on 07-18-2011 11:43 AM

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Hi,

Well, l've seen my Doctor and he has:

Changed my Flixotide 100, to Seretide 500

Left my Spireva unchanged

Put me on a reducing Prednisolone course for a week, starting from 40mg the 1st day, 35mg 2nd day, 30mg 3rd day, and so on.

Prescibed Erdotin, which  are Mucolytic tablets (to thin the mucus).

He said that he has no faith at all in the Erdotin, but he prescibed some for me anyway, as l told him that the person l spoke to at  the British Lung Foundation  recommended it .  The Prednisolone are because the Seretide will  take a couple of weeks to kick in. He said my Sats were a bit low, but he didn't say what they were. I asked him at what stage my COPD was/is, but he evaded the issue, for what reason l know not LOL.

I also have Post Nasal Drip, but he wouldn't prescribe anything for that, as he wants to see if the new medications have any effect on that as well. he also wouldn't prescribe anything for my panic attacks when l feel an "episode" coming on. He said that with COPD, any form of sedatives are a no no, as they interfere with your breathing and you are liable to "not wake up" LOL.

I have another appointment in 4 weeks, so l will see how l get on. I have not had another attack for a few days now, so hopefully l may not have another! 

Kind regards,

Josie

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rita replied on 07-18-2011 8:21 PM

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Hi Josie

Hope the changed meds start to kick in soon and that you will start to feel better.  If you can keep a note of how you go on and then you will be able to report back  to your GP? 

Did he show you how to do breathing and "huffing" exercises as this might help with your "panic" and trying to bring up the gunge?  Am not sure if any are given on home page here but there are descroptions on the website generally which are easy to understand and copy.  Next time you see your gp ask if there is a pulmonary rehabilitation course you can attend - sometimes a bit of a wait list to get on - or have alook again on the home page to see if there is a Breathe Easy group near by as they are also a great support and help.  I certainly learned a lot from them and their carers on occasion; ususally meet once a month

Fingers crossed for no more attacks!

rita

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Josephine Cliff replied on 07-18-2011 8:50 PM

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Hi Rita,

Thanks for your kind thoughts. The Doctor said that it will take about 2 weeks for the Seretide to kick in, which is why he has prescribed Prednisolone for me.

Unfortunately, l live in the sticks LOL, and as there are only 2 buses a day, it is difficult.......nay, almost impossible........ to get anywhere LOL, let alone the pulmonary rehabilitation centre. The joys of country living eh?

I have bought an RC-Cornet, which is similar ( l think ) to a Flutter device, and the Doctor is going to send a nurse to show me how to do it properly. He seems to think that they are quite good. I think that it has been a week now, since my last attack - l'm hoping that it was my last. I must admit tho', l can't believe how much better l am feeling. Fingers crossed that it continues.

Kind regards,

Josie