I can only speak for myself since we all experience COPD a bit differently.

I have good days and bad days? Yes. The pollen count isn't helping me today.

.I only use Spiriva as an inhaler at this time and it doesn't make me any hoarser than I usually am - and I don't have a lot of hoarseness.

. I am at moderate stage COPD after four years. No oxygen at this time.

. On a day, or evening, when I have severe heart burn I use Nexium - it is expensive but nothing else seems to work for me. I don't take it every day though.

. My feet tingle, and sometimes, my legs but it always seems to be connected to not getting enough exercise that day. I ride the stationery bike almost every day and park far away from a store for my walking - too much walking I can't handle.

. This DS group has helped me more than anything else, both for its wonderful people and good advice.

. I cough up the stuff in my throat first thing in the morning when it is most noticeable. Seems to build up during the night.

Good luck to you and welcome to this little family of ours.

Hugs, Cindy

HI,
Yes, some days are better than others , and depends on what is going on. Weather, pollen, dust, over exertion, illness, almost anything can affect your breathing.
Once your pulmy doctor gets you on the right meds, and therapy, you can develop a routine that is right for you.
First, you have to stay away from sick people and big crowds where there may be sick people. (Or wear a mask)
Understand that anything you can breath in can cause irritation and possible SOB, learn what to avoid, dust, aerosols, harsh fumes, smoke, people smoking, hair spray, just to name a few. A lot of folks wear masks when they confront these, I just do not get around them.
Take your meds as prescribed, and if you exercise, which you should,never get over tired, keep an eye on your oxygen, with an oxymeter, and never let it drop to 80 or below.
Take mucinex and drink lots of water to keep the mucus drained and thin, so easy to cough up. If it is ever colored, like green or brown, go to the doctor or ER, because that usually signifies an infection.
I am sure others will have great advice also, so calm down and we will be there to walk you thru this. We are not 'doctors, and nothing anyone here says should take the place of doctors advice. However, we can give you the advice of our personal experiences with this disease, something a doctor can not. They talk the talk, but we walk the walk !!
Hugs
Brenda

Thank you so much Cindy. I believe I am moderate too but waiting for another PFT to verify. I appreciate all your comments and honesty, it gives me a direction to go in.

Hugs back to you.

Thank you so much Brenda. I am on a breast cancer support group too and I feel like I have learned much more from my pink warrior sisters than my doctors. I know you aren't doctor's, but you have talked to doctors and filled in the blanks for yourselves by knowing your own bodies. I am so grateful for all your help and advice.

Hugs back to you.

Lisa

Yeah, some days are better than others. I tend to stay out of the weather so at least I have that much control over what I breathe.
It does sound like you need a new doc. She is either too busy or your concerns are beneath her noise level. Both excuses are unacceptable.
Nexium is what most use for GERD. I buy it for my wife at AllDayChemist: http://www.alldaychemist.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Nexium
Best price going. It has a 25$ shipping charge, so it's best to order a years worth at a time.
Glad to have you on board...

Hugs,
Dennis

Good to have you join us. Keep the questions coming - between us we should have an answer which is comfortable for you. I don't feel good about your pulmonary doctor's availability. These are crucial appointments for getting the medical support you need. Looking for another pulmo. dr. is a good move.

As has been said we do have good days and bad days. I just accept either way - I don't really have a handle on when a day is so good I feel cured!

I just started today trying a throat relief spray for dry throat and hoarse voice. I'm going to give it a couple of weeks before I give a review to the group. The spray just contains some soothing ingredients - nothing to conflict with my meds.

I use the old-fashioned pepto bismol for heartburn. I rarely have heartburn; however, I'm stubborn and I may just ignore somethings. With this disease you sort of have to pick and choose what you're going to concentrate on - many things seem to pop up over time.

Not sure what inhaler you were using, but I wouldn't recommend not using it. Perhaps another type wouldn't affect your throat so much. But you'll need an available pulmonologist! My hoarseness appeared after about two years of inhaler usage. Wonder if your hoarseness could just be an initial reaction; and won't be as severe after a couple of weeks. Earlier someone in this group mentioned that gargling provides relief after using the inhaler. (I don't know how to gargle - I always choke)

Best of luck on getting your much needed appointment.....

i have good days and bad days.
i suck on lemon menthol throat lozenges alot & sometime choke up a mucous plug.
my legs, feet & both hands tingle all the time, also seems like i'm losing a little feeling in them as i trip over air if i don't concentrate & watch what i'm doing.
i was using prilosec (and tums); this past year it doesn't seem to get it any more...
so just the other day i went & bought some old fashioned zantac & rolaids and one rolaid seems to get it for me. you might check with your dr to be sure you don't take something that could affect your other meds.
i seem to get heartburn worse at night when i lay down.
for awhile i was bloating up & belching/gassy & i found the gas x helped...but so far (knock on wood )1 rolaid is working the best for me.
i use spiriva and that seems to help me. (i haven't had a problem with horseness with the spiriva either
rescue inhalers didn't seem to help me, but albuterol thru a nebulizer helps when i am real bad to open me up....only use that when sick.
we are all different so i hope you get find a dr soon.
and yes! allergies! the pollen has been bad here since last month so i had to start my zyrtec to breath (thought it was sinus infection, but just that time of year that gets me)

ps. i am severe & am on 02 24/7---02 is my biggest help; and learning to pace myself when i do things.

We all have good days and bad days. I try to roll with it and tailor my activity as needed. I also have to avoid very salty foods. Had corned beef for St. Patrick's Day and the next day had an exaserbation. Everyone has different triggers, you just have to figure out what yours are.
For heartburn I take Zantac. I try to eat slowly.

I have not experienced any tingling.

As much as I hate to admit it, exercise does help. See if anyone near you offers Pulmonary Rehab.

I just joined and am happy to already see answers to some of my
questions.

I, too, have tingling but only in one arm. I use Symbicort and
ProAire for treatment and am currently attending a pulmonary
rehab.

I had some killer heartburn, been on omeprazole for about 5 yrs now and it really helps. I'm on oxygen 24/7 which is pretty much my med for this disease. I have good and bad days, and a lot of so so days. I get gunk form time to time in my throat but just hack it up and done. My problem is I just can't get enough oxygen to absorb into my blood. When I exercise I can go as low as 51% 02 level at 8 lpm. I also need to find a better pulm doc, slight tingles in my hands at night. We are all different with this disease.

please dont feel alone because you have up days and down days.
Not only do I have good day and bad days but each of my days is split up into quarters. A perfectly greatl morning can turn into a bad afternoon if I overdo it by stopping at the grocery store on the way home from work . Also carrying in the groceries almost kills me every time....even on the best of days.
The bad times certainally make you appreciate the good times.
I had good and bad days before I was diagnosed...that's life.

welcome to the family. I too have good days and bad days it`s the way this complaint is you just have to learn what your limitations are and how far you can push yourself. Relax when you have to but never give up. I don`t wear a mask but I do avoid certain air conditions or smells where ever possible... you will learn what effects you and when to avoid it, a lot of this journey is trial and error. I also have tingles in my legs especially if I have an off day and do not move about too much so try some armchair exercises if you can.
Now you have found us you are not alone so ask away...as they say if you don`t ask you will never learn x x

welcome birdcat65!

Thanks so much for all your answers and your encouragement. I have asked my primary care to set me up with a new pulmonary doctor and he has recommended a second group of doctors for me and I will be getting an appointment soon. Once again, thanks for all your help. Its invaluable to me.