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...

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Ilovethekitties 01/29/2015

I have been moved to work in a post office that is strong with mold and mildew from a leaking roof. For a few days in a row I did OK....plus I was taking antibiotics for UTI until yesterday.
Today my UTI feels all better but my BP is quite high and every joint in my body hurts like a flu. I have a bad headache and worst of all my breathing is the worst it has been since my bad attack last May. My question is.....would anyone else consider the mold and mildew to be causing my problems? I am having to use my nebulizer regularly again because my chest is so congested and hurts something awful.
Im visiting where I have access to internet. I need to go lay down now. I will check for replies later.
BTW I have only been exposed in this office for a couple of weeks....also UTI from out of the blue could it still be the cause of my problems even though the UTI seems cleared up? Has anyone else delt with mold and mildew?
Thanks guys...I know I have some of the best and brightest thinking on this for me.
>^..^

bjrapp2020 01/29/2015

Mold and mildew are a defiant NO NO for any one, especially someone with copd. That is a health hazard and needs to be cleaned up before anyone works there. Tell who ever runs the place that the leaky roff is doing this . I know, if it is the government good luck, but still, you could really end up in the hospital breathing that mess. As far as the UTI, I have no knowledge that this would cause one, they are usually caused by other issues, more related to your private area instead of your lungs. I hope you can get this fixed, or they can move you to a cleaner building.

grannie 01/29/2015

Very unhealthy for you my dear. Can't believe our Government would allow you to move in that building. Do report it. Here is an article of the many things mold and mildew can cause.

Take care of yourself.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/148246-what-are-the-effects-of-breathing-in-mold-or-mildew/

Gnott 01/29/2015

What antibiotic are you taking?
Experiencing pain or swelling of a tendon or weakness or loss of use in joint areas is a possible side-effect especially if you are already taking a Corticosteroid (eg, prednisone) with some antibiotics (eg. Levofloxacin). This is not a minor condition and be quite serious. You are also more at risk of a secondary infection in this case fungus and/or the flu.

In any case contact your doctor immediately. You might also call your pharmacist as he is more available and usually up to speed on the possible problems when combining medications.

Ilovethekitties 01/30/2015

Thank you guys. My husband took me to an emergency clinic when he got off yesterday.
I had a steroid shot, chest xray (no pneumonia), and a medicine chest full of meds. I have 48mg methylpredisolone daily for 5 days, azithromycin 250mg for 5 days and something for nausea called ondansetron. I thought I had the flu but tested and NO. I am seriously beginning to consider these lung episodes are related to working (very vigorously getting mail out in the AM) breathing heavy in the mold and mildew..especially since those are some of my known allergens.
I plan to retire March 29 for my 62nd birthday because I cant keep up anymore and I am killing myself trying.
I hate this disease....It has taken my marriage, my home, my social life and now my ability to support myself. I feel very useless.
The antibiotic that I took for UTI was called ceflexen (Im sure I misspelled it)
I am going back to my house now so again I will be without internet but I will check back as soon as I can.
Even though I cant reply as much as I used to I still read everyones posts as often as I can...You guys are about the only nonjudgemental friends I have. Take care everyone!

P.S. Has anyone seen anything from OXYMAN? I havent seen any posts in a long time. I loved his brutal honesty!
>^..^< Sandy

oxyman 02/01/2015

hi sandy. i`m still here. it`s good to see that you are also. it sucks that you are feeling down,but, everything changes.....it`s all a matter of perspective.....and life goes on.....! as far as my " brutal honesty " is concerned....GET THE HELL AWAY FROM THE MOLD AND MILDEW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! we both know that people with our " condition " have zero tolerance for ANY kind of airborne crap! for example, i am pretty much of a recluse, but over the holidays i went to my sisters house for dinner and when i had to use her bathroom, she had one of those stinky plug in fragrance things in there and even though i was only in there for a few minutes with the door closed, when i came out...I COULDN`T BREATHE! i had to go outside and use my rescue inhaler to get my breath back. THAT`S how sensitive MY lungs have become. so, if i were you, i would not go back until THEY clean it up. call the epa or something. i`m sure there has to be SOME kind of LAW they are breaking by making people work in that environment! who cares if you make waves, right!? you are RETIRING anyway! HA! BREATHE IN.....BREATHE OUT.....

Gnott 02/01/2015

Ha.
Im with you there. Ive gotten more and more sensitive to stinky stuff myself. Got on an elevator the other day with a woman wearing that stinky musk (Always hated it. Thought it had finally gone out-of-style). I went to continuous flow and had my rescue inhaler out before we reached the 3rd floor. I was very annoyed and just old enough to be cranky and close to saying something rude.

However, I was a professional smoker for thirty-some years. I am positive that my stinky smoking has bothered zillions of people over that time perhaps at times just as bad. So I just chalked it up to Dang! Paybacks ARE a B*tch!, and said nothing. LOL

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