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...
Maybe I did post the fact that over the last month or so, my new pulmonary doctor felt that my low lung function and my activity level, did not meet the text book criteria and was determined to prove that I should be on some sort of oxygen therapy. But in spite of going thru all the tests at a more stringent level, they could not find any justification or a reason to explain why.it was not the case.
With my lung function at 18% and will gradually get worse as the disease slowly progresses, attention turned to cardiac issues. Having done an Echo Ultrasound and detailed cardiac examination, I am waiting for the results which no doubt will mean, a change in treatment.
Well today I received an article by chance pertaining to a new tablet that has recently been approved by the FDA....I know nothing much about it but it does have some light at the end of the tunnel.
http://aboutdiabetescure.info/two-new-drug-to-treat-pulmonary-arterial-hypertension-that-actually-work-must-read-to-relief-pain/
http://aboutdiabetescure.info/the-faces-of-pulmonary-hypertension/
With my lung function at 18% and will gradually get worse as the disease slowly progresses, attention turned to cardiac issues. Having done an Echo Ultrasound and detailed cardiac examination, I am waiting for the results which no doubt will mean, a change in treatment.
Well today I received an article by chance pertaining to a new tablet that has recently been approved by the FDA....I know nothing much about it but it does have some light at the end of the tunnel.
http://aboutdiabetescure.info/two-new-drug-to-treat-pulmonary-arterial-hypertension-that-actually-work-must-read-to-relief-pain/
http://aboutdiabetescure.info/the-faces-of-pulmonary-hypertension/
When will you get results from this test?
I hope it comes back negative for you.
here's a link about it; http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Pulmonary_Hypertension_Causes_Symptoms_Diagnosis_Treatment
My sister had PH in her advanced stages of copd & it caused a lot of "heart" type problems; like swelling/edema & was hard for her to walk at times due to the fluid she retained.
i'm not sure if it was the swelling or the PH but her pain increased also.
I hope this new medication will give others relief from some of the things that sis had to go thru with it.
my understanding of your link is that the medication helps to ease the symptoms but it doesn't cure it---does it?
a year or 2 back hank-o and I had a few discussions on PH/ right sided heart failure. He had posted a really good article about it with all the signs & symptoms....which of course is one of the links i can't find since my computer virus last year :(
Because of his info on it I had my first echo (i've now had 2) and happily my heart is good (knock on wood)
and NO CURE but a possible change in medication......Here is a Link also to explain it better...
I have no idea why top links will not open now.......
http://www.natural-holistic-health.com/pulmonary-hypertension-and-congestive-heart-failure/
THX,
Jean
Here is section (one page of many on Pulmonary Hypertension)...
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pah/diagnosis
The major problem with 'heart disease' and 'COPD diseases' is that the symptoms are very identical and what differences do exist are often subtle. Outside of an outright heart failure (which tend to be more dramatic than an exacerbation) - it is impossible to tell the difference without a ton of tests.
Then of course, after the ALL results are in and the exact pathology becomes clearer - everyone looks around and goes Duh! Should have seen that coming. Smile.
This causes a lot of missed diagnosis - not because a particular order is hidden (which it is), but because most doctors follow a path of least resistance based on history. It is a bigger problem today, because it is getting harder and harder for a doctor to order extra tests without concrete reasons. Therefore one can get pigeon-holed very quickly. Say one is labeled as having COPD - so they first treat increasing symptoms as if it is COPD, and only when treatments do not seem to be working will they order additional tests (with insurance permission). It goes the other way too - I've run across several people who were diagnosis with CHF, or other heart disorders - only later discovered that they probably had a more serious lung problem.
It also doesn't help that it is becoming increasing apparent, for reasons not fully understood, that most COPD patients also have a heart related problem, and vice versa.
But it is getting better. Not much relief, but might help to consider WE are the guinea pigs. It was that long ago you would be given and inhaler and told to don't bother me until you end up in the ICU. (Smile.)
Anyway I got this message from a friend in Canada about this other med. I have not had a chance to research it yet so I thought I would just paste it here.......
.................................................................
Hi Peter - in Canada we've recently had approval for the government to pay the $50,000CAD per year on a newly released drug for pulmonary hypertension. The name is Adempas - take care.
On an echo I have had pressure in the 40's, 70's, 90's. The right heart cath indicated 22 and corrected to 18 with a nitric oxide challenge. So basically an echo said I had severe PH and the right heart cath indicated nearly normal pressure.
COPD can cause PH.