My first blog, and hello to all
I was diagnosed with COPD/Emphysema mild to moderate with lung function of 70% last October 2011. I also suffer with chronic bronchitis. With the shock of it all I quit smoking on the spot, but by Xmas 2011 I was smoking again, not as heavy as before, but smoking nonetheless. My smoking at present is to stop for a few weeks, then I start again. I know the lungs cannot differentiate between light or heavy smoking, they just know they are being poisoned. I do keep trying to give up and somedays I may only smoke three in a day. But Xmas morning I woke at 5.30am(had only been asleep one hour) unable to breathe. I use Spiriva in the mornings and I have Ventolin for when necessary. I tried it to no avail and I was really scared. I ended up sitting in the bathroom with the door shut and the hot taps running to let the room fill with steam. I was in there and hour before I felt anything like relief. And then I tried the Ventolin again. But this morning I was coughing up dark brown mucus with blood in it and I am not sure what to do about it. Each time I go to the GP with a suspected chest infection he hands me a pot for a sample. Sometimes he goes ahead and give antibiotics and other times not until results are back. But this is the first time this has happened and I am wondering if it is possible that my COPD has got worse. I only saw my consultant twice last year and he discharged me back to the care of my GP. Any advice would be great from you guys and I thank you in advance for any advice given.
XXXXX
Lin