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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Smoking Addiction, COPD With Fits, Periodic Numbness In Arms And Legs, Severe Cough Causing Tightness In Ribs. Taken Various Medicines. Remedy?

hi im a female with copd and ive had fits with this condition in the early stages,its been 9 weeks and now i have to go for a eeg and a brian scan,i have been quite ill with it and now suffer walking,my arms and legs get numb from time to time and cant even walk 50 steps without coughing and then being sick,i have bin on quite alot of medication and have two inhalers .i am 45 and did smoke around 20 a day ,i have found it difficult to give up smoking and smoke 3 a day,when i cough it feels like my toso is tightning and feels like my ribs are going to crack,any answers please ,thankyou diane
Mon, 25 Jun 2012
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello Diane. Thank you for visiting healthcaremagic.com. COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of which there are two types: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Bronchitis tends to involve chronic mucus production and cough, emphysema also involves cough without mucus production. COPD has an insolent course but tends to progressively get worse over time. I am not sure that your inhalers are helping your breathing if you are this SOB just walking short distances.

I am going to advise that you do a few things:

1. Discuss with your family doctor about your COPD symptoms and ask for a referral to a pulmonologist (lung specialist). I am not sure if you have had a PFT (pulmonary function test) but you need one. This will help diagnose the exact cause of your SOB.

2. Please stop smoking, this will not reverse your COPD, however it will prevent further damage to your lungs from the cigarettes.

3. Go to your appointments for your EEG and brain scan, however, having a low pulse oxygen while walking may cause your legs and arms to be numb.

Be well, Dr.Kimberly
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Smoking Addiction, COPD With Fits, Periodic Numbness In Arms And Legs, Severe Cough Causing Tightness In Ribs. Taken Various Medicines. Remedy?

Hello Diane. Thank you for visiting healthcaremagic.com. COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of which there are two types: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Bronchitis tends to involve chronic mucus production and cough, emphysema also involves cough without mucus production. COPD has an insolent course but tends to progressively get worse over time. I am not sure that your inhalers are helping your breathing if you are this SOB just walking short distances. I am going to advise that you do a few things: 1. Discuss with your family doctor about your COPD symptoms and ask for a referral to a pulmonologist (lung specialist). I am not sure if you have had a PFT (pulmonary function test) but you need one. This will help diagnose the exact cause of your SOB. 2. Please stop smoking, this will not reverse your COPD, however it will prevent further damage to your lungs from the cigarettes. 3. Go to your appointments for your EEG and brain scan, however, having a low pulse oxygen while walking may cause your legs and arms to be numb. Be well, Dr.Kimberly