A Visit to the Pulmonologist

[Thomas3.20.2010]

I have been a bit frustrated about getting clear and direct answers to my questions from my General Doctor. Now, don't get me wrong, he's a very good Doctor who I have been using for some 25 years!!!! But he wasn't doing so good IMHO with my COPD management. So I talked to a Health Advocate and got hooked up with a pulmonary Specialist! Thank God I did! The Health Advocate Service is available with my Health Insurance and I have been toying with the idea for some time....

I went to the Pulmonologist on Tuesday. Before I walked in the door he had every related test and Xray I have ever taken on his computer. He did his own 6 minute walk, Spirometry Test, and Pulse Oximetry measure as well as the normal weight and Blood Pressure. 

Then the Doctor spent an hour asking questions, explaining my condition, and answering my questions. He changed up my meds, my nutrition plan, my exercise plan, and my daily routine (just about everything! LOL!) He told me to stop  worrying about Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis so much since I had already done the best things I could do for those 2 parts of COPD: #1 QUIT SMOKING, vaccines, and Advair. He said I should be working on the things i can change: Upper respiratory chronic inflammation, GERD, and sleeplessness. These are issues that my own Doctor has never discussed with me! By making those changes I will breathe better and have fewer exacerbations (flare-ups that scare the bejeepers out of us COPDers!) 

All I can say is WHOOHOO! Now for the not so easy news: no chocolate, no coffee, no spices including jalapenos, no tomatoes or tomato sauce, no tea, soda, even herbal tea or most fruit juice....No oranges, pineapple, cucumbers, and on and on.... not an easy change! Double the exercise I've been doing! I'm still trying to figure out what I can eat! *sigh*

Well, I'll be seeing him in 6 weeks so he's holding me accountable! Any way my best recommendation for those folks who have doubts about their health issues, if you can arrange it, get a Specialist! You might have a hard time following his/her instructions but Knowledge is Power and it's definitely worth it!

I'm glad I could say I was 2 years plus Smoke FREE!

[MarcieWhosoever]

2 years plus smoke free! GREAT THOMAS!

Im glad you went to the specialist. Knowledge IS power, you are right about that!

Sorry you cant eat chocolate 😞

(or the other stuff)

In 6 weeks if you follow everything to a tee should the Doc be able to see any noticable changes?

Be Well.

Marcie

[Lonita]

Thank goodness you did exactly what you needed to do for yourself.  I love my general doctor but lately I feel like he is not listening to me (like he's in his own world) I have been with him at least 15 years.  When I feel like he isn't helping me I will find someone who will.  Your gerd, eat lots of bake, broil, however you want to say it. Fried is bad.  Steven my 14 yrs old told me eat wraps to lose the fat.  Couldn't help but laugh.  I love it when he said concetrate on things you can change. He sound awesome just like you. 

My favorite quote is You do what's possible and God will do the impossible.

[Madyzsgocka]

Good for you Thomas, good for you. I'm glad you went!

[Ex_Nancy]

Wow, GO FIGURE Thomas, your new doctor sounds fabulous...SO GLAD you changed...chocolate?coffee? Call him back and see what you can eat,LOL xoxo

[ShawnP]

Nice to see you Thomas. I know what you mean about the foods. I have Gerds Too. It took quite an adjustment to get used to foods that i couldnt have anymore or at least what they told me. For some reason, i had more problems with preservatives in the food. Fresh tomatoes I cant do but in other forms I realized i could. I still have to have my coffee every morning but have cut down the cups. I had to learn moderation. 

[babs13]

Thomas,

Happy for you that you got some answers you needed.  Thanks for helping the rest of us, so very much, with our education about COPD and smoking in general. 

[SmokedOut041412]

Hi Thomas. Good for you for seeking out a doctor who is ready to help you treat what you are able. I agree "Knowledge Is Power!" After reading your post I had to do a bit of research to find why all these foods need to be cut out and this is what I found. It appears what you are cutting out are the contributing factors:

Acid Reflux (GERD) Causes

No one knows the exact cause of gastroesophageal reflux. The following are contributing factors that weaken or relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making reflux worse:

  
• Lifestyle: Use of alcohol or cigarettes, obesity, poor posture (slouching)
  
• Medications: Calcium channel blockers, theophylline (Tedral, Hydrophed, Marax, Bronchial, Quibron), nitrates, antihistamines
  
• Diet: Fatty and fried foods, chocolate, garlic and onions, drinks with caffeine, acid foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, spicy foods, mint flavorings
  
• Eating habits: - Eating large meals, eating soon before bedtime
  
• Other medical conditions:  Hiatal hernia, pregnancy, diabetes, rapid weight gain

I'm hopeful the changes you make will make a huge difference for you 🙂

[Yaya2.6.10]

It's great that you were your own advocate and took the next step.  I hope you follow the instructions on diet for six weeks and then negotiate on the coffee and chocolate.  Moderation is good in all things, including diets.  

[la2012]

Thomas, wow 2 Years,glad you went to see the  specialist!!! 🙂