I am writing this blog just because as much as I understand the spirometry tests etc. are very important in the diagnosis of COPD – they are not the whole picture. Let me explain – since the pulmonary rehab my husband is truly better than he has been for about 5 years. In fact so many people have remarked on how well he looks etc. (I am under no illusion and please do not make the mistake his sister did – he is not cured, he has modere/severe COPD – he will always be breathless!). Yesterday off we went to see the practise nurse for the annual respiratory check. When he started (sept. 2011 for 3 months) the pulmonary rehab and during - his blood pressure and respiratory tests were done regularly and all was well – no deterioration noted. And each morning he checks his sats levels which have not been below 94 even on bad days. Yesterday however his blood pressure was up and the spirometry showed a decline of 15% in the FEV1 % value – what does that mean I gasped? Now my previous blog told you that he is just not well, has a really enormous problem with this denture (12 visits to the dentist plus an emergency visit on Monday!) and he has developed the biggest cold sore (looks more like a volcano!!) – so I could have predicted they wouldnt be his best but this was shocking!
I am the worrier and as I had the glasses – my lovely husband was not aware of such massive deterioration – the shock may have resulted in the need for a nebuliser! I agreed with the nurse that as we get older there would be a natural deterioration but his fitness levels are much improved and he keeps on excercising. To which point she told me that sometimes the stats dont matter – what is as important is how the patient is and especially with COPD the tests can alter from day to day, sometimes even from hour to hour. So the moral of this little story is that while the stats are important (and there is no doubting that) – sometimes it is about how you are yourself, how you are living your life and how you are coping. If youre doing OK, you are enjoying life and are able to reduce the number of exacerbations – then say thank you!! Do not worry about the stats!
With much love and kind thoughts TAD xx
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