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COPD and hot weather. Any tips.

(12 Posts)
HelterSkelter1 Sun 11-Jun-23 10:08:11

DH has severe COPD and struggled with the cold wind last week...now struggling with the heat and pollen. Using more Ventolin than usual. Almost 80 and has suffered for 10+years.

I hate seeing him breathless and coughing. It's hard isn't it? Any tips.

Iam64 Sun 11-Jun-23 10:21:02

His GP or practice nurse will be able to help

HelterSkelter1 Sun 11-Jun-23 11:05:20

He is on steroid inhalers, preventers and relievers, and other meds to help. I suppose I am just looking for comments/sympathy from others in the same situation.
Getting through to the GP is pretty difficult and a telephone appt is not very helpful.

Its a chronic condition with not a great outcome which I lived through with my Father. At least it's marginally cooler today.

Ilovecheese Sun 11-Jun-23 11:10:41

I am in the same situation as you HelterSkelter1 it is hard to watch them struggle isn't it. My husband is going to repeat the exercise programme that he was invited to join when first diagnosed, in the hope that it might improve his condition. Has your husband been offered something like that?

Skydancer Sun 11-Jun-23 11:14:37

Do contact the British Lung Foundation. They offer excellent advice and greatly helped my mother who had COPD.

Greenfinch Sun 11-Jun-23 11:27:44

I do understand your situation. My DH is 85 and has had it for many years. Generally it presents as phlegm on the chest but currently he is slightly breathless as well. What has helped him enormously is exercising to expand the chest. He does the exercises which he was taught at a course he attended 5 days a week. You should be able to get details from your practice nurse or your local hospital. Thinking of you both.

Callistemon21 Sun 11-Jun-23 11:32:38

Do persuade him to go back to the GP, HelterSkelter1

It could be a chest infection which needs antibiotics on top of his other problems.

There are other treatments besides Ventolin; Trimbow is one or he may need to have the de adjusted.

Keep persisting with the GP.

Callistemon21 Sun 11-Jun-23 11:33:05

Typo!

Not de - dose

Marydoll Sun 11-Jun-23 11:36:56

I too have physio exercises to help clear my chest. Does your husband do these? It helps clear the phlegm.

Another thing which helps me is steam inhalations with menthol crystals.

HelterSkelter1 Sun 11-Jun-23 11:44:41

Thank you for your comments. He did complete a pulmonary rehab course about 12 years ago. It wasn't terribly well run and he didn't enjoy it. Although he does use some of the breathing methods they taught him.I would love him to attend another and if it were my condition I would do.

But he is reluctant and fatigue is a problem. And a bit of depression goes hand in hand as well.
I will take up the suggestion of the BLF and ring them myself this week. Today with another day of heat and at least a week or more ahead of hot weather, it has got to me! A bit of Sundayitis.
Thanks for reading.

Marydoll Sun 11-Jun-23 12:13:01

I can empathise with your husband, about the fatigue and sometimes I find the exercises a chore and skip them blush.
As you will know, the fatigue is related to the lack of oxygen, so a vicious circle.

matina3 Wed 28-May-25 14:06:10

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