Forums General chat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Reply To: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) December 30, 2017 at 1:52 pm #235 fi 7 Posts interesting to me- timing wise! I was diagnosed 5 years ago exactly by chest xrays and spiro tests. I am having an episode right now, just come out of hospital. Jan 12- diagnose and told if I didnt give up smoking I would be dead in 5 years. Gave up there and then. Couldn’t get on with my inhalers as they made my throat dry and voice husky. I have put on 6 stone, I cant exercise without being completely out of breath. Had to stop mucking out so my horses lived out happily rugged up with access to stables in winter which were deep littered. I have had no instances in the five years where I have needed medical help due to m diagnosis. Last Friday I developed a dry cough that took my breath away. By Xmas day i was very ill. My doctor daughter home for the day said why are you not using your inhalers? They expired in Jan 13!!! Boxing day I was bedridden. Tues I called 111 who got me seen by the out of hours doctor. New inhaler given and antibiotics. Tues night after using inhaler for the 2 nd time in 5 years I had a life threatening episode and called 999. Admitted to hospital with very low oxygen sats, chest Xray, nebuliser etc etc I apparently didnt use my inhaler correctly ( five years since I have used one and forgotten how to!!! Puff hit the back of my throat instead of being inhaled into my lungs which caused spasms of my upper airways. I couldnt breath due to constantly coughing, was foaming at the mouth and went unconscious within 10 minutes. First res-ponder was on-route by then and my husband was on the phone to both 999 and my doctor daughter on different phones who talked him through it. I had 3 paramedics that saved my life I am sure- this was two nights ago at this very time- emotional. My daughter drove from London and reached the hospital an hour after me. So I came home tonight after seeing several doctors and the respiratory clinic nurses who showed my how to use my inhalers safely with a spacer. In five years this is my first episode so I feel living with COPD has been no detriment to my life so far but I will make damn sure from now on I will take better notice and care of any symptoms in the future. I hope you too will have 5 years of no symptoms, I wish I had never smoked Good luck but please Pm me if you need a buddy to share your thought with. X