Posted by Chris M. on 6/16/2008, 1:23 am
199.232.90.51

Our Docs apparently are suprised that we might fear or be upset by worsening in our disease and exacerbations... Being in as good health as we can manage brings us to disease self management. Have a discussion with your Pulmonologist about what the Doctor expects you to do if you have a sudden worsening and what approach you would like to have. The article reveals that many patients fearing aggressive care, don't heed the signs of impending infections and try to ride out the symptoms. It rarely works, I assure you. If you have sudden increase in sputum, and the sputum is no longer clear or white but has a color, you probably need an antibiotic and a decision whether or not you need more. The longer you wait for care, or starting care, the more likely your poor lungs will suffer more scarring and damage: do yourself a favor and get care promptly. Be prepared for the worst: Have a plan worked out with your Doc. You may indeed help yourself and avoid a full blown infection. That said, the more committed you are to your self care, the more your Doc may trust you with the solutions. Discuss the possiblility, in this age of nasty infections, if you could have medications at home or prescriptions for such meds to start home care. Antibiotic, Prednisone, tussin cough syrups (without suppressants!) are some of the things appropriate if it's obvious you have an exacerbation. Many of us keep a prescription, undated, for our needs, but your Doc knows your situation. Instead of having nightmares of what could happen when you get sick, discuss your fears with your Doc. There is less and less intubation these days and much more common with assisted CPAP, Bpap, etc. The sooner you get care, the more lung you may save. If you don't like it now, save more lung for your future! Understand you may not have the familiar symptoms first. I no longer develop a fever. Infections can sneek in, and your only clue is a subtle cough and a bit of sob...Seek care and save lung tissue. Have your plan worked out and then plan how NOT to need it. Avoid getting infections. Got sick teeth? Get work done. Got sinus infection, get it handled. Got sick neighbors?..sorry, wear a mask and wash your hands a lot if you touch their stuff...Don't pick up sick children. Don't play with them without a mask and thorough washing tecniques. In short, you CAN avoid infections. Common colds need not be common.

Link: A Doc view.....