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...
I'm wondering if taking prednisone is causing me to feel as if my skin is on fire, mainly on my torso. when I get an exacerbation I do not get the mucus etc. most people get, just very weak and short of breath. I was already getting skin before I started the stronger 10 session of pred. I did not do antibiotics because I thought maybe the pred. would be enough and I fear that soon the antibiotics will not help. Now I am at day 5 of the pred. and no let up. Is there a blood test to see if you have picked up an infection? Takes weeks to get in to see my Dr. Any suggestions?
I came up with burning arms, hands , legs feet on there. And those say call the Dr.
BUT! You said you were getting skin burning before starting it? I am no Dr but that sounds like it could be shingles.
Can you at least call the pharmacy?
Hope you get better
BJ
I just went on Prednisone a few days ago and now the skin reacts when touched by clothing or just rubbing as though it has stickers in it.
I do have increased little blood or bruising spots since starting the Pred but that is not unusual for me.
I am going to a dermatologist in the next week or so when I get to feeling better and the wind chill factor is not as bad. Should I get any passable information , I will let all know.
Peace, Anna
Thanks for letting me rant and rave.
i don't get mucous or "normal" cold/sick signs either when i have an exacerbation.
i find it harder to breath & i get very tired like you explain. (i always just feel like i've "turned lazy")---usually it's just a heaviness in my chest & that not wanting to do anything.
when i feel like this my dr says my lung has "quit moving air"---only thing that helps me is antibiotics; about the 3rd or 4th day AFTER i start taking antibiotics i start coughing & blowing out the green/yellow phlegm/mucous.
interestingly, i have a stethescope & i can also hear my lower (right usually) lobe is not moving air when this happens.
it's weird the thought that my lung just quits moving air...my dr says it's because with emphy i don't cough up the gunk daily so it just sits in my lungs until it rots & turns bacterial. so i end up on antibiotics.
a blood test will show your white blood cell (WBC) count goes higher when trying to fight a bacterial infection.
i cant do steroids so i can't comment on that part, but i'm kind of glad i can't do them as it seems every dr i go to for every little thing wants to use steriods for it & my personal opinion is that steroids are being over used like antibiotics were in the old days.
steroids won't kill bacteria as far as i know, so that is why normally they give both antibiotics & steroids when we have an exacerbation---steroids relieve the symptoms until antibiotics can kill the disease.
i am not a dr so this is just how i understand it.
i hope you get feeling better soon.
prayers are with you
I thought that I would never hear
a description that led me to fear
the thought not coughing up the lot
would lead my lungs to develop a bacterial rot. ::))
Now I have this vision every time I cough. LOL
Hugs, Anna
am i the only one that deals with this stuff or is my dr just very explicit with me?
my point was to answer your question that yes a blood test can tell if its bacterial by the WBC
zigg; the honeylemon cough drops i constantly suck on keeps the breath good ;)
Nothing better than a good visual of what might be happening in your lungs to make one get up and take action. Thanks