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...
Hi....just thought id put it out here instead of replying in PM....Hope its ok..
Stared out 2 years ago with left sided rib pain that I continually needed to apply pressure to dull it....It soon moved slowly right across my chest, lower back n upper legs......This was severe pain with no relief from pain meds like Tramadol....
Had x-rays n CT-Scans, but no evidence, so basically I was told its muscular or more likely all in my head...no one believed me lol...
This last Hospitalisation I got a real gun pulmo...She did 2 ABG's (Arterial Blood Gas) the first one in my wrist was a failure as it punctured a vein instead of artery but the blood colour was identical, so test failure and a wrist that turned black n purple..lol
Next middle of arm....The Ph of blood was below 7 so very acidic....this causes pain, fatigue and soreness and interferes with lung function.
She put me on Methylprednisolone (Medrol) with Pantoprazole 40mg. Within 2 days all pain gone except for a dull ache in right rib cage occasionally...
Because I have too much Co2 in my blood she suggested to have a ABG every 2 months....That's about it...maybe talk to your Doc.....
Its really sad when no one believes you are in real pain....Hugs Peter
Stared out 2 years ago with left sided rib pain that I continually needed to apply pressure to dull it....It soon moved slowly right across my chest, lower back n upper legs......This was severe pain with no relief from pain meds like Tramadol....
Had x-rays n CT-Scans, but no evidence, so basically I was told its muscular or more likely all in my head...no one believed me lol...
This last Hospitalisation I got a real gun pulmo...She did 2 ABG's (Arterial Blood Gas) the first one in my wrist was a failure as it punctured a vein instead of artery but the blood colour was identical, so test failure and a wrist that turned black n purple..lol
Next middle of arm....The Ph of blood was below 7 so very acidic....this causes pain, fatigue and soreness and interferes with lung function.
She put me on Methylprednisolone (Medrol) with Pantoprazole 40mg. Within 2 days all pain gone except for a dull ache in right rib cage occasionally...
Because I have too much Co2 in my blood she suggested to have a ABG every 2 months....That's about it...maybe talk to your Doc.....
Its really sad when no one believes you are in real pain....Hugs Peter
Has anyone who has been on an opioid narcotic for any reason noticed any lessening of their symptoms of shortness of breath? I have some oxy here from a recent surgery, but I didn't need it and was considering taking it as an experiment, but then as a hoarder/OCDer I decided not to waste any in case I need it for something painful down the road.
i suffer from pain all the time & i have wondered (and even posted) that i somehow feel (that gut feeling we get about our own bodies) it is related to my 02 (this is pain other than the herniated disc) and it all started when i went into the extreme exacerbation 1 1/2 years ago that my last dr let get out of hand & i thought i was going to die (i did not know what an exacerbation was at that time, i just thought my "time had come").
i have never been the same since; and this may not be the case, but i am sure going to bring it up with my dr the next visit!
ps. interesting that mine started in my right rib & i just thought it was from an old injury, then it moved to my back...then it seems it has just moved randomly all over my body....my feet next, then my neck, then shoulders that i deal with now.....
you give me hope and i thank you for that!!!
does the test hurt as much as i've read ????
i am on oxi daily for pain & my pulm said that it will help relax lungs also---i don't know if it is or isn't because i'm always on it (where i could see a big difference with morphine, but i don't want to take that now and build up a resistance for the day i may need it much more)
personally if i were you i would check with my dr before taking it for SOB.
out of curiosity, when you were on it for pain did you notice a difference in your breathing?
I do know that before I got as bad as I am now, I had been put on phenergan with codeine cough syrup and that made a big difference in cough and sleep, but that was back when I was still smoking. But with so much abuse going on, I'm sure if I went in and asked for Purple Sizzurp, I'd have the DEA and all the county mounties waiting at the door when I got home, so I don't know if the codeine would help with the way things are now.
Peter, I am so glad you are better, you guys do not have much of a choice in pain meds there, do you? Why no vicodan, allergic?
Jarca, I remember you posting all that you had gone thru, and the pain you have suffered.
I thank God that so far in this disease I have suffered no really bad pain as some of you folks say, it breaks my heart that we have to suffer this disease and pain with it, because of some doctors.
Love and Hugs to all my DS family, and Bear too, when you come back home!!!
Brenda
Peter
Hugs
Brenda
I am trying to get the courage to ask for liquid marijuana. I am waiting; as sometimes my pain lets up and I am able to do more.
Peter brought up a good point; many pain medications suppress our breathing.
I do not wish anyone to be in pain; and not have the best quality of life they can.
For me; Narcotic pain meds cause more problems; and do not relieve the pain very well.
regular dr's all told me the same thing that pain killers would "suppress my breathing & i could die in my sleep"
but what was i supposed to do, suffer or suicide? (there is enough pain suicide becomes a thought as i was no longer living "quality life")
then i finally went to i went to a pulm spec he watched me & the oxi i take makes no difference in my 02 readings--- he said it's helping my lungs & saving the morphine for when i really need it.
everyone has to do what they feel is best for them so this is just my story & i do what i have to do to keep living & not be bed ridden or in a nursing home unable to take care of myself....
but that is sure why i'm interested in the PH blood thing as i feel all of this pain is somehow related to my 02--- i'm definetely reading up on it and consulting my dr's!
My opinion only...Peter