From time to time I have provided an COPD update on my condition. A few days ago I had another exacerbation. It started out as others have with fever and chills and some breathing difficulties. I put off calling my doctor for antibiotics because on an occasion on two I have gotten along without them and I didn't want to be accused of crying wolf as it were. A day passed and my condition wasn't any worse. I carried out the trash. A few days earlier when I carried out the trash I had what I thought was angina pains and they began to occur more often. When they didn't disappear or became a nuisance, I would take a nitro pill and the pain would vanish. The next day after my trash had been been emptied I went out and pulled our recycle barrel back in place. It occurred to me maybe I should rest before going after my trash barrel. I didn't stop. My thing was I'd better do what I could while I could while I still do it. I walk to the street and pulled the barrel to its place. Suddenly I was out of air. Walking to my nearby front door I couldn't breath. I somehow made it to my kitchen table. I lay my head on the table, hyperventilating, thinking breath in through the nose, blow out through pursed lips. It took several minutes before I could feel air in my lungs. My lungs burned, my chest hurt and wouldn't go away. I called my health provider who had come out rather recently to do blood work. I told her I was hurting, had never had pain like this with an exacerbation and I needed help, antibiotics and a pain medication. They would overnight it to me but but it would be late Friday when I got it. By Monday my breathing was more shallow. I was severely winded merely walking to the bathroom. I was more out of breath at rest. I have a small house and getting around in it was almost more than I could manage. My healthcare provider called, telling Ann to get me to the hospital, stop by the ECHO unit for a full cardiac work up. Net result, somewhere during the past few days I had suffered my second heart attack. I got good care. They did an angiogram. I have two blockage areas and we're going to try to unblock with medication. They could have used stints but at my age and physical condition this procedure was considered to be dangerous. I participated in this decision. I was back home last night feeling weak and diminished but glad to be home.
Bill, I could not view your profile, so know only what I read above. Have you not had "rescue" inhalers available at all times? I've been through all you describe. Once, weeks after any symptoms were present, my wife & I took off walking in the desert beyond our home. I carried no inhaler. Suddenly, about a mile from home, I was severely stricken, unable to breathe adequately, could inhale, but not exhale. I panicked. Told my wife, run ahead home, get the truck, bring inhaler! I sat in the shade provided by a big electric pole, thinking I might die. Surprisingly, having stopped the exertion of walking, my breathing became less labored, but still frightening. Finally, here she comes, took me straight to the ER. Two hours there, several steroid shots, lots of questions, few answers, I was sent home. This happened 3 years ago. No such episode has since happened again. I currently walk 3 miles daily, hardly upping my pulse or breathing rate. Why have the doctors, the professionals, been unable to get a definitive "handle" on this, in my case? Diagnoses: First, 10 years ago, "allergies". Second, after a round of allergy tests, hundred needles poked into my forearms, "Exacerbation of childhood Asthma". Third, from a "heart specialist" (Ha!), Left Ventricular wall thickening. Fourth, from my personal physician, "Emphysema". I am still breathing very well, despite my "Emphysema", and all the other mis-begotten diagnoses. No drugs or medications. Almost 74, I see that I could run circles around many of the poor guys my age around here (retirement area). My research, FWIW, suggests I had a lung infection caused by mold, probably Aspergillus, which infrequently settles in the lungs and multiplies there. That's called Aspergillosis. I had to cease my daily walks, coughed incessantly, spit constantly, but believed if the doctors could not help me, only I could help me, so I fought it, hard. Previous, I walked our road in the Ozarks daily, returning to that, I walked a short distance, had to rest, then pushed on. It took more than a year, during which it gradually cleared up. My regular doctor, listening to my chest, remarked my lungs are clear. I pointedly asked him what happened to the "Emphysema" he had diagnosed? No answer. Typical. Frank
Sorry to hear about your latest incident Bill, sounds scary, I hope the medication relieves the condition.
Bill...OMG....here we all were not knowing the awful distress you were going through...what a frightening experience you've been suffering !! Thank goodness you're a little better now and they can get those areas unblocked...the pain must have been indescribable for you.. Sorry to hear you're going through all this Bill,,, and it must be scaring the bejeezus out of Ann too ...so I'm wishing you much better health very soon...
Bill, I am so sorry you're in such distress! If you have anymore pain, just go to the emergency room. I hope you get well very quickly!
Agree with Dave and others, take it easy, and hope you feel better (I'm sure you already do). Next time something scary happens, go to ER right away.
I want to add our prayers to everyone elses, and I am thankful that you are back home again and feeling better. When I had the blood clot in my leg and lungs, I waited too long to go to the ER, too, and ended up being in the hospital for several days with the blood clot. The symptoms were similar, extreme pain, so much that I could barely breathe. Like Sheldon said; sometimes these things just catch us by surprise. Take good care of yourself, and let us know how the recovery is progressing !
On many internet sites, someone would be afraid to post something like this, so I'm glad we have this site, where members can talk about real events, and get the support they need. Bill, I'm sorry you're going through a difficult time, and glad you are feeling a little better, and have what you need for now. I hope the medication works to unblock you. My dad had to have a triple bypass at one point, and he was actually much better after that. He was able to discontinue about half of his medication, and his health and endurance were much better. I hope that the medicine can get you back to feeling better and being able to do more of what you're used to doing.
Bill, I recently read that people who are on meds for blockages do as well as the ones who have had the stents. I hope they work well for you. About the COPD, my husband's pulmonary doctor gave him a standing prescription for an antibiotic. He told him at the first sign of any kind of breathing problem to start taking them. He wanted to stop any kind of infection before it became worse. That seems like a good idea to me.