I see different doctors at a free clinic because they volunteer i never know who i will be seen by. One Dr. put me on Qvar but i got Thrush and a yeast infection from it so i was told not to take it anymore. So now all i take is Ventolin & Trazadone for COPD but the Trazadone does not help with COPD. Sometimes i'm so out of breath that i can't talk and my lungs feel like they are on fire or inflamed and i can feel like something inside my lungs are moving or spasm but the doctor said he never heard of anything moving around in the lungs. Am i crazy or does anyone else have the same problem? I don't know what medications i should be on that are effective at controlling my symptoms. I don't have a cough or produce mucus. Thank you in advance for any help.
I use Ventolin for COPD & Trazodone what is Trazadone do to help with COPD?
Question posted by mbd1962 on 7 Oct 2012
Last updated on 13 April 2022 by Mjt1963
6 Answers
I was just diagnosed with COPD after spending 3 weeks in the hospital with pneumonia. My doctors said that I almost died. Anyway, I am not currently taking anything for COPD but I do take trazodone for depression and you are correct, it does nothing for COPD. My lungs hurt when I get exhausted and it doesn't take much to get me there. I am going to talk with my doctor and I think you should see one. It's alright to be scared but don't let it keep you from seeking professional help.
Ask one of the Doctors if you can try guaifenesin. Its available over the net from Amazon for a pretty reasonable price for 400 Mg pills in quantum of 200 per bottle.
It used to be a very inexpensive generic drug before it became Mucinex as an over the counter med and was made expensive. The generic from Amazon works just as well to loosen the mucus that builds up in your lungs and allows your coughs to be productive and help clear your breathing
It sounds like your copd needs to be managed better. You most likely do need a steroid inhaler to decrease the inflammation. If you rinse your mouth well after using one it can stop thrush, and they can give you nystatin mouth wash for thrush. Karen is right, you need to be evaluated by someone who knows what they're doing. The free clinic here in town has doctors they can refer to when they are needed. Hopefully yours does too.
Yes the free clinic does refer patients out, in fact 1 of the doctors that volunteer at the clinic has his own practice that deals with lung problems but like i said earlier i don't think any of the doctors really care about me. I am always scared and crying.
What part of pa are you in? What scares you, the disease or the doctors? I would make an appt at the clinic soon and ask them to refer you to a lung doc. You would be surprised how much better you will feel when its managed better.
I got thrush and a vaginal yeast infection, i used monostat 7 but that did not work so the doctor told me not to use Qvar which does have a steroid anymore.
The disease scares me and that i will die from it. i'm from Erie, PA
Its a very scarey disease, but it can be managed. Hopefully you'll get to see a pulmonologist and he can straighten it out. I used to live near Pittsburgh.
I see a lung doctor 10/17/12. Thank you so much :)
good, he'll know what to do.
Update... I do not have COPD It's my asthma acting up i take Advair twice a day unfortunately i still get thrush from it even though i rinse my mouth out with water and mouthwash.
Hello mbd1962,
This is funny not about u health, I am looking at your username and the 1962 is the year I was born, Sorry!! Anyway, I just wanted to say I am so sorry u are having all these health issues although I don't no about your condition, I did want to at least write and let u no that u will most definitely be in my prayers tonight and every other night, GOD here's our prayers!!
Also, I am not one to pry, but from the post you sent it sounds like u don't have any health insurance, forgive me if I am wrong, don't no where u live but alot of states have this thing called charity care, you can possibly google it for your state and do some research, the reason I say this is because if u get this u might beable to get a little more help with your condition and be sent out for better test which will cost barely nothing, I believe they go by a sliding scale from your income, I hope I am not offending u in anyway, just trying to help cause I do care about one's health... just try it that's if u need the assistance, type in medical help for copd for people with no health care etc... also like I said I could be wrong and be making an idiot out of myself, but like the other poster stated you could qualify for medicaid... please feel free to pq me if u have any comments or ?? and also please forgive me if I am wrong I am just trying to help u get better care... yes the trazadone does help with anxiety which is one good thing but u need good health care for this condition... GOD BLESS YOU AND GET YOU HEALTHY
Yes i was born in 1962. No i don't have any health insurance and i do not qualify the the medical card. I live in PA. No you have not offended me i am grateful for any and all helpful comments.
When did you last see a Pulmonologist? You are in trouble and need oxygen. Get back to the doctor/clinic and have them test you. Do you have Medicare? Do you qualify for Medicaid? Have you had a chest X-ray to be sure you do not have pneumonia?
What you may be feeling is phlem building up in constricted areas. Your inhaled med is to open that up. So, no not crazy. Whether you are coughing something up doesn't mean that there is mucus in constricted areas. A problem with OCD is that lungs no longer clean themselves properly so stuff builds up.
Trazodone is for depression and also for treating anxiety. When we get short of breath and pant when walking or talking, our body responds with anxiety. Anxiety causes us to pant harder. The medication is there to reduce that side effect. It makes good sense. People with lung problems are on that support. Also, lets face it, knowing your lungs are failing makes one anxious and depressed. I know because that is where I am.
The stress of breathing means it is time for oxygen therapy. It will make you feel better and you will have more energy. Please get in to see someone right away. If your nails are turning blue, toes or fingers, around the edge or more have someone take you to an ER, it has become serious at that point. Even if you sit in a chair for five minutes and it goes away, you still need to see someone. And don't drive or go alone. Ok? Write more and I will answer. Karen
I believe COPD qualifies you for Medicare. This will help with all medical costs and assure you get proper treatment. If you have not applied, please do so.
I had a lung function test done about 3 years ago, the result was Mild COPD No i don't qualify for medicaid, my husband make too much money. I do not cough up phlem . No i have not had a chest X-ray. When i go to the free clinic i always tell them to listen to my lungs, my lungs sound good. No my toes, finger etc do not turn blue. When i do go to the ER they check my lungs and oxygen level, all are fine. I have been trying to get someone at the clinic to listen to me but i feel they don't hear me and my pleas for help in breathing better. The 1 doctor does not want me to go back on Qvar which has a steriod in it because of the thrush and the yeast infection. No i won't drive, i promise. Also the pharmacist told me Trazadone now days is used as a sleeping pill more so than for depression. Also I am on Effexor XR for depression and Clonazapam for aniexty but i have been on these meds before the COPD got worse.
The Mild COPD never really bother me until June of this year. I honestly thought i do need oxygen but i feel the doctors don't care because i don't have health insurance. I hope i answered all your questions and thank you to everyone who replied.
Lung function tests are done on a yearly basis. They help the physician understand what changes you may be having. (Did I ask you if you smoked?)
Thrush is easily treated so i don't understand why they stopped the inhaled steroids. It is important to brush teeth and tongue at least twice a day to reduce the chance of thrush. Also folic acid of three to five per day deters this and any mouth sores.
Have you used advair or other inhaled meds? Generally, this is treated with a long term acting inhaler with steroids to open the lung bronchials.
When I took the respiratory therapy courses, the class was almost completely COPD patients. This sixteen session course is extremely helpful with learning about lung disease. Perhaps there is one in your area. The out of pocket cost is far less than a health club, for instance. It could help you tremendously.
It must be very upsetting for you not to get the help you need. We had huge out of pocket costs when I was first ill. Sometimes you can work out payment costs with a physician. A least ask the one at the clinic who is the Pulmonologist. I am sure he wants the best care for you or he wouldn't be at the free clinic. We all advocate for our health. Please consider. Karen
Yes i did smoke until June of this year,then i quite. The doctor discontinued steroids because i got a vaginal yeast infection that did not respond to the Monostate 7. Also i am now taking Sprivia. I afraid of dieing from the COPD which i'm sure will eventually happen.
I understand your fear and I am sorry you have to face this. I too have a lung problem because of a disease and am getting sicker as time goes by. There are no cures, no lung transplants. Just the lungs failing.
There are ways to make it easier on you. See the Pulmonologist to get rehab exercises that will make you stronger. The more you use your muscles the more oxygen they hold and the better you will feel. And when they tell you to use oxygen, do it. Please don't worry about stigma or whatever. It will help you, give you more energy and make life easier and longer.
Hoping your family understands and can support you. If you would like to talk privately please send a private question to me. I am here for you. Karen
When you take Qvar, Alvesco, Advair or any other medication that is a steroid you MUST rinse your mouth thoroughly and I also gargle afterward. I was on Advair for about 3 years then developed esophagal candida (thrush), changed to Alvesco which we had to battle for insurance coverage and now I am on Qvar. It seems to work just as well as the others.
Hello mbd1962. Anxiety can effect ones breathing patterns especially in people with COPD. Trazodone is prescribed off label for adults who have an anxiety disorder. I have COPD and take Paxil for my anxiety. It helps ease my symptoms when it comes to breathing. Regards pledge
I take Clonazepam for aniexty I have been on that way before my COPD got worse also i feel the anxiety has gotten worse.
I understand. Suggestion. It might be time to be talking to your doctor about taking another medication for your anxiety.
I will see my doctor about taking a different anxiety medication in a few days
Very good. If you might, from time to time, update us on how you are doing.
Related topics
ventolin, depression, anxiety, asthma - maintenance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trazodone
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