Reflections--COPD In my most recent posting I talked about going to a different pulmonologist for a second opinion about where I was in my own personal battle with COPD and Asthma.

Yes this second opinion was one that left me a bit confused and bewildered as the new pulmonologist reacted like my problem was more asthma than COPD even though my FEV1 number is still sitting at 32.

So the biggest change at the moment was being put on ‘symbicort@’ for four weeks, at which time I go back in to see this pulmonologist and re-evaluate just what is happening with my breathing and lungs.

After being on ‘symbicort@’ for six full days I have already seen a few changes:

  1. Instead of having so much tightness in breathing I am able to take a more deeper breathe with the only factor being is it is nearly always followed by a short cough of some sort.
  2. My voice has been affected – when I talk for any lengthy conversations (lengthy being more than 4-5 minutes), I find my throat getting a bit scratchy, my voice gets an airy sound to it and I start to sound like my voice is going out on me.
  3. I seem to be a bit more antsy or almost like nervous.
  4. My appetite is up and I find it much more difficult to feel full when eating.
  5. When I try to imitate that ‘full breath then let it out as fast and hard as I can test’ from the spryometry test – I still struggle with the blow it out as fast and hard as I can without coughing a lot, though now I seem to cough up something at the same time.

So that is what I see, feel and hear going on since being put on the ‘symbicort@’ inhaler thing – not sure what any of it means, but know that I have three weeks to go with it and then we will see what this new pulmonologist thinks.  In the mean time I will also update my own regular physician as there are moments when I think he knows as much as anybody.

While I sit here having one of those regular coughing spells I am getting once again I throw out to my dependable followers, readers and fellow COPDers/Asthmatics to give me their thoughts about the following questions – and please share your answers, ideas and/or feedback on my blog if you would – although on facebook group pages work just as well.

Here are the questions for answers, ideas and/or feedback:

  • >> Have you or someone you know used ‘symbicort@’ and if so how did it go for you and/or them?
  • >> Has anyone gone for a second opinion about their COPD and/or Asthma and felt like they took a step backward?

Thanking you all ahead of time – sharing among each other is and should be one of the greatest gifts and satisfaction we give and get to and from others while we battle either of these uncomfortable diseases of COPD and/or Asthma.

As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

Remember always that without breathing a person is without life itself.

As always I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2015, CrossDove Writer)

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