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...
Suffering from severe copd and now have a copd exacerbation---can't stop coughing up the thin yellow flem, stopped ears and nose. Nasonex nose spray causes mouth yeast infection--new med for that.. Prednizone taper at 60m day---hate this stuff. Breathing treatment every 4 hours and antibiotics. Question? What's the best way to care for myself? Do I need lots of bed rest or should I stay up and busy. Open the doors and air out the house? Beautiful Fl weather. Use nebulizer? Pot of water on stove? Thanks, I'm learning.
If your not feeling better or have any concerns get back in touch with your dr.
Hope your feeling better soon also some others with more experience that me I'm sure will be along soon with some more advice.
Yes, you should get as much rest as you can, but still be a bit active...I mean just do not go to bed and stay there for days!!! lol
Use your inhalers as the doctor prescribed. Use mucinex to thin out the mucus and help you to cough it up. Like Sindybee said, drink a lot of liquids, water, or juices.
I would use the nebulizer as prescribed, usually every 6 hours, to help loosen the gook in your lungs, but some meds in the inhalation treatment does not go well with the meds inhalers, and since I do not know what you use, I would say call your doctor and tell him your inhalers, and the meds in your nebulizer, and get his advice.
Sometimes both are laba meds which can cause an increased heartbeat. So be sure to space them apart at least 4 hours.
Always check with your doctor first .
Take prednisone as ordered, on a full stomach or with a meal.
Use a saline nasal spray to get you unstopped.
Hope you feel better soon
BJ
But if you start having more congestion, fever, or the mucus changes color, get in touch with your doctor or go to ER. You should be fine as long as you are coughing it up and out.
I am sure you don.t feel like doing much, and there is no need to push your self. Just sit and watch tv, play on the computer, ect. But staying in bed can make the liquid settle in your lungs and cause bigger problems. That is why nurses come drag you out of bed in the hospital, and have you walk a bit, or just sit up.
It is better for your lungs if you are under an airconditioner, or just inside fan. You do not want outside dust, pollen, smoke, ect blowing in and irritating your lungs more!! If you have central a/h set it on a comfortable degrees and relax.
Alwys make sure your air filters are the best you can afford, and make sure they are clean and changed regularly.
OK, I will shut up now!!! : )
BJ