Author Archives: Jackie Aim

Medicines to take care with

Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you are concerned about any medication that might affect your child’s asthma.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen (Neurofen) can make asthma symptoms worse in a small number of people. These are common drugs contained in preparations for coughs and colds and pain. They can be bought over the counter from a pharmacy.

Always check the ingredients of any painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs or ask the pharmacist for advice.

Important

ASPRIN SHOULD NOT BE USED IN CHILDREN unless prescribed by a hospital consultant.

Tablets

Carbocisteine capsules and liquid

There are oral capsules or liquid medicines that can sometimes be prescribed for people with COPD if thick, sticky mucus is a problem. They are used to break down mucus to try and make it easier to cough up. They are called mucolytics and may be tried for a month to see if there is any benefit. If there is no benefit they may be stopped.

Carbocisteine capsules or liquid (Mucodyne). They would not be used if you have a history of peptic ulcers, one of the rare side effects is gastro-intestinal bleeding (bleeding from the digestive tract).

Theophylline tablets or capsules are used to open the airways. Theophylline is used less often than inhalers. This is because there are many other medicines and substances (e.g. smoking and alcohol) and some other medical conditions which interact with it, affecting how theophylline works in your body.

Side effects from theophylline can occur quite quickly if the dose is not at the right level in your body, for example: nausea, sickness, diarrhoea, palpitations and headaches. Sometimes you will have blood tests to check the level of theophylline in your blood. This will make sure theophylline is at a safe level for your body.

If used as directed alongside inhaled bronchodilator and steroids, theophylline can provide relief for asthma which has not been well controlled using inhalers alone. The medicine is usually taken every 12 hours and it is important that the tablets are swallowed whole and not chewed. Theophylline is in a slow release form and chewing the tablets would prevent slow release. The capsules can be swallowed whole or the pellets which are inside the capsule can be emptied out and swallowed with soft food such as yoghurt.

The medicine will be prescribed by brand and you should stick with the same brand of theophylline each time, for example

Nuelin SA tablets.
Slo-phyllin capsules.
Uniphyllin Continus tablets.

Your pharmacist will know this and ensure you get the same brand when dispensing your prescription.

Quotes from people living with COPD

“I found ongoing friendship and mutual support from joining local groups “
“The way to keep moving forward is to talk to others living with same condition”
“Look on internet, but only at the good stuff, e.g. Chest Heart & Stroke, British Lung Foundation, as lots of scary stuff out there!”
“In some situations you’re in, it can be hard not to become angry… what I really learnt through the training was to be assertive and not aggressive.”
“The Advice Line nurses spoke to me in plain English and not gobbledegook!”
“The group helps me to feel confident and gives lots of time for me to speak, with people paying attention and wanting to hear what I have to say.”
“With self-management I have a better understanding of my condition and am able to cope with it in a more positive way.”

Alternative sources of help outside the NHS

Women talking together over a cup of tea

Local libraries – often have a health section and information about local support groups in your area.
Local coffee mornings – a good way of meeting a mix of different people.
Local Authorities – what’s on in your area, leisure facilities, day or evening classes, services, clubs. They can also help with housing, if you need some extra help or care because of your condition, equipment to make daily tasks easier or community based therapists.
Benefits advisors – Citizens Advice can help you to check if you are entitled to benefits and help you to make a claim.
Voluntary agencies – to get help for you or to be a volunteer to help others at the same time as benefiting yourself.
Church groups – you do not necessarily have to belong to a church or faith to go along and meet people. Some churches encourage people to help at food banks, run social clubs, pack charity Christmas boxes.
Community centres – usually host a number of groups such as over 60’s, lunch clubs, walking group, exercise class.
Day or evening classes – to learn a new skill and meet new people. Anything from music and art classes to learning to practical skills like cooking or use the internet or Skype to contact friends and family.
Leisure centres – many now offer exercises for people with long term health conditions and help to get started from trained instructors.
Local singing or drama groups – singing may help your breathing control while you meet new people.
Help or advice lines –
- Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland freephone 0808 801 0899
- British Lung foundation 03000 030555

Ways of coping during intimacy

Do prepare:	Times to avoid sexual activity
Clear any chest secretions using your chest clearance technique. Use your bronchodilator inhaler or nebuliser prior to sexual activity. Use the same amount of oxygen during sex as you would during physical activity. Choose a position that is less energetic and avoids pressure on the chest, for example, lying on your side during intercourse may be more comfortable and less tiring. Encourage the more able bodied partner to assume a more active role.	Immediately after a heavy meal. After consuming alcohol. In an uncomfortable room temperature. When under emotional stress. After an exacerbation or flare up until you feel fully recovered.

Do prepare:

Times to avoid sexual activity

Clear any chest secretions using your chest clearance technique.
Use your bronchodilator inhaler or nebuliser prior to sexual activity.
Use the same amount of oxygen during sex as you would during physical activity.
Choose a position that is less energetic and avoids pressure on the chest, for example, lying on your side during intercourse may be more comfortable and less tiring.
Encourage the more able bodied partner to assume a more active role.

Immediately after a heavy meal.
After consuming alcohol.
In an uncomfortable room temperature.
When under emotional stress.
After an exacerbation or flare up until you feel fully recovered.

Intimate relationships

Close up photograph showing older couple holding hands

Some people with COPD may have concerns about the condition affecting sexual relationships and intimacy.

COPD does not diminish your ability to have an intimate relationship but problems with lack of energy, coughing and breathlessness may affect your stamina and interest in sex. You may even avoid sexual intimacy because you are scared you may cough or get breathless. Anxiety can also have an affect on your sex drive.

Talking to your partner about how you feel and any worries you may have will make it easier for you both to deal with the situation before it becomes a problem.

Be comfortable with each other again by kissing and touching without necessarily expecting intercourse.

Be open and consider each others needs towards a warm and loving relationship.

Planning ahead and using ways of coping will give you the confidence to keep sexually active if this is what you and your partner want.

Work mates

Group of female work colleagues chatting

If you are still working your work mates are another possible source of help. Some may have similar experience of a long term condition but others may not understand what it is like for you when you are unwell.

Make sure you tell someone at work what to do if you are unwell and can’t communicate because of breathlessness. Keep your inhalers with you.

You may have experienced resentment from work colleagues if you have had time off due to your COPD, especially if they have been covering your work as well as their own. This is not your fault.

If your COPD is having an impact on your work, discuss ways to make your working day easier to cope with. For example is your working environment adding to your problems by being too hot/ too cold/too stuffy? Should you be using protective clothing if you work in a dusty environment?

Consider your work mates sensitivity. Some colleagues may find it off putting when you have a productive cough. Try to go to a place away from others where you can clear your chest and throat. Always wash your hands after coughing up phlegm and use disposable tissues.

If you think you are being harassed or unfairly treated at work because of your COPD get advice from your human resources, occupational health or union representative if you have one. Report to your manager and discuss options.

Accepting you need help

You also need to be open to accepting help when it is offered. Explain that you will let family and friends know when you will take up their offer to help even though you don’t need it yet.

If you keep on refusing help when it is offered family and friends may stop asking.

Self management is about keeping as well as you can be and knowing when to access help. Getting a balance between being independent and being confident in knowing when to get help rather than struggling on.

Accept others may not do things exactly the same as you would do.

Sometimes you need to be flexible and think of alternative ways to do things you have done yourself. For example you may not be able to carry heavy shopping – what are your alternatives?

Ask a neighbour to get some of the heavier things for you when they get their shopping.
Order on line from the supermarket and have it delivered. Most will bring your shopping in to the house and put it in your kitchen if you tell them you need assistance.
Ask your family for a lift when they do their shopping.
Ask a friend if they mind going with you when you go shopping.
Take a taxi door to door.
If some one offers to do your shopping accept and make a list for them of the things you need.

This process of thinking about alternatives and options can apply in lots of situations.

For more information see:

Moving on together: Recognising and managing your communication style [.pdf, 6.08MB],

Moving on Together (MoT): A self-management workbook by NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

Family and friends

Couple reading
Even those close to you may not appreciate how your COPD is affecting you physically, emotionally and socially.

Everyone leads a busy life and sometimes family and friends don’t offer help because they don’t know you need it or they don’t know how to help.

Talking about what help you need or what you are worried about can give family and friends a better understanding of how they could help when you need them.

Some family and friends may under estimate how your COPD is affecting you now, especially if you have been diagnosed some time ago and your condition has changed over time. They may not realise your COPD is a long term condition when you have periods of feeling well followed by a flare up or exacerbation. For example if family are relying on you to pick up grandchildren or baby sit while they are at work they might not know when this is getting more difficult for you to cope with.

Some families can be over protective and hardly let you do things you are more than capable of or take over your life without realising what you can do yourself.

Communication with family and friends is as important as the communication you have with health and social care teams. Think about how to discuss your worries and concerns with them.