COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
These are only suggestions, designed to help you pre-plan for your early doctors visits.
What is my exact diagnosis? Is it mild, moderate or severe?
Exactly which components are predominant?
What do you think will be the progression of my particular case of COPD?
Is this treatable and what medications should I take?
What is the purpose of each of the medications that you have prescribed?
Please explain the side effects of these medications?
Do you have any samples of the medications you will prescribe?
What spacer do you want me to use and do you have one?
What do I do if these medications do not seem to help me?
Under what circumstances do you prescribe steroids (prednisone), either inhaled or oral?
Will you order routine PFTs (pulmonary function studies), chest x-rays and ABGs (arterial blood gas) and how often do you repeat them?
What do the tests mean? And I would like a copy for my records.
How can I slow down the progression of this disease?
Will vitamins, exercise, etc., help and which ones?
Will you refer me to pulmonary rehabilitation?
Do you have an assistant or someone to teach me the proper use of these inhalers and educate me on the basics of COPD and its management?
Do you arrange for oxygen therapy for your patients that meet the criteria for need?
Would you order a baseline Bone Density Scan so we can monitor any bone mineral loss? (If you are on prednisone)
How many physicians in your group are on call for COPD exacerbations in an emergency?
Is there always a doctor available by phone?
When should I go to the ER if I cannot reach you?
Does the hospital you routinely admit to have a full-service Intensive Care Unit to manage respiratory critical care?
How can I avoid infections and what do I do if I think I have one?
Will a peak flow meter help me? If so, how?
Since I have multiple diseases, please explain to me how you think one will affect the others?
Will you prescribe antibiotics & prednisone for me to keep on hand at home in case I get sick on a weekend or holiday?
Under what circumstances should I begin taking the antibiotics?
Do you routinely give annual influenza vaccinations?
Should I have a Pneumovax vaccination, and when should I have it repeated?
How much of my total care will you be responsible for and when should I see my family practitioner?
Compiled by COPD-International
What is my exact diagnosis? Is it mild, moderate or severe?
Exactly which components are predominant?
What do you think will be the progression of my particular case of COPD?
Is this treatable and what medications should I take?
What is the purpose of each of the medications that you have prescribed?
Please explain the side effects of these medications?
Do you have any samples of the medications you will prescribe?
What spacer do you want me to use and do you have one?
What do I do if these medications do not seem to help me?
Under what circumstances do you prescribe steroids (prednisone), either inhaled or oral?
Will you order routine PFTs (pulmonary function studies), chest x-rays and ABGs (arterial blood gas) and how often do you repeat them?
What do the tests mean? And I would like a copy for my records.
How can I slow down the progression of this disease?
Will vitamins, exercise, etc., help and which ones?
Will you refer me to pulmonary rehabilitation?
Do you have an assistant or someone to teach me the proper use of these inhalers and educate me on the basics of COPD and its management?
Do you arrange for oxygen therapy for your patients that meet the criteria for need?
Would you order a baseline Bone Density Scan so we can monitor any bone mineral loss? (If you are on prednisone)
How many physicians in your group are on call for COPD exacerbations in an emergency?
Is there always a doctor available by phone?
When should I go to the ER if I cannot reach you?
Does the hospital you routinely admit to have a full-service Intensive Care Unit to manage respiratory critical care?
How can I avoid infections and what do I do if I think I have one?
Will a peak flow meter help me? If so, how?
Since I have multiple diseases, please explain to me how you think one will affect the others?
Will you prescribe antibiotics & prednisone for me to keep on hand at home in case I get sick on a weekend or holiday?
Under what circumstances should I begin taking the antibiotics?
Do you routinely give annual influenza vaccinations?
Should I have a Pneumovax vaccination, and when should I have it repeated?
How much of my total care will you be responsible for and when should I see my family practitioner?
Compiled by COPD-International
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Hi There, This is my first time on this website. Looking to connect with other people who have to take prednisone. It looks like there is not too much activity here? Curious about how this works.I am having a hard time with prednisone. I've been taking it for 6 years on and off for crohn's disease. It is such a rough drug to have to be on. For me the emotional side effects are especially...
jean
Stay well,
Janie
Thank you! Cindy
How much does the medical community really understand about this condition.
You would be surprised at the answer an honest doctor would give.
Gary
Thanks!Hugs to you!
Hugs.
I have to see my pulmo later this month, so I'm going to print this out.
I know some of the answers - I have had 3 PFT's done since June, bone density was immediate, blood gas was immediate, chest CT scan done recently so we can discuss the particulars of MY COPD at my next appt. I asked about flare-ups, what do I do, who do I call (his answer: Muscle your way in to see me or your primary care physician whichever one of us can see you first or go to ER)
There are some things I haven't addressed though so thank you again!
Benze-here is a photo of a spacer. Spacers are used for children because they often cannot inhale right. My new pulmo requires all her patients to use spacers. She said that you get more medicine to your lungs ..you also are less likely to get thrush.