tiova is what I use same as spiriva---and much much cheaper

I have another question. But first of all we do not have a pulmonary doctor in town. Why would I need one? As far as I know there are limited things that can be done for COPD that my GP seems to take care of (the blow test once a year and meds). I should say I'm in my late 70's and not panicked to have a problem.

Looking around the med sites I see where there is some thinking that Spiriva or Tiova (thanks for telling me about this) might be just as beneficial taken every other day. That's what I had been doing. We might continue to look into it. I don't believe in blindly obeying the doctor without checking things out myself. Thank you Google.

j.h. interesting re: spiriva every other day. This is news to me. Pulmonary dr? I had one a couple of years ago - he was the pits. However, my primary care dr, specializes in pulmonology. This has worked out very well. You may want to check if there's a primary care dr. with pulmonology speciality in your area.

Since I don't have any sort of medical background I place my "faith" in my dr. I just don't know enough, nor do I care to, to override. As long as I can relate my personal laymans' concerns with my dr., I have no complaints.

It's the same with the Symbicort. You don't "feel" anything with it
like you do with a rescue inhaler like Albuterol but they tell me it
does its job nonetheless.

I did notice that I myself felt better after being put on it.

Birdcat

Conditions like COPD make work of breathing and we tend to use axillary muscles to get a good breath. Those muscles can get sore like over used muscles any ware in the body. Another idea is pleurisy which is inflammation in the lining of the lung and the space between the lining and the lung becomes dry. Does the pain increase on inspiration or expiration? This can be a very painful condition. Another idea and honestly the most important one to get checked out is chest pain related to the heart. Pain in the neck, chest, shoulder or arm on one side really needs to be checked.

I have the same problem with my throat & lungs that you do. My primary physician is sending me to a cardiologist to see if there is something else wrong. I have also been told I have dyspnea where I am super-aware of the workings of my lungs & it affects my breathing. Do you think your pain could be caused by something like that? Where you are so aware of your lung function you are holding yourself more tightly & it might be muscle pain? I'm sorry I don't have any more definitive answers for you. Please take your medication regularly as prescribed. It only helps when you do.

I have not read all the replies but has anyone thought about the breathing techniques you use? could you be breathing so hard to get air sometimes and you don't realize it? I do - I have to remember to breath though nose and out through mouth - - you want to feel it in your lower ribcage and stomach - The harder you breath the more uncomfortable you get - Also if I don't do my stretches for my muscles to help protect my lungs I will feel uncomfortable -- I had trouble breathing when laying down - My airways tighten up -- ect - Just a thought

I went to a heart. Doctor twice 5 and. 7 years ago because of smothering or choking sensations especially when lying down.
I thot I might be having heart failure. He of course did lots of tests. Found nothing. Never mentioned possible lung problems. I never had any idea it was copd even after demanding a CAT of my lungs.
Finally a year after that my GP suggested the blow test and the light went on.