Suggest treatment for emphysema
Patient: I have severe emphysema and heart desease ,which i have lots of medications for iwasnot suitable for cbg as too much lung damage ,so triple bypass out of the question. My chest has been really bad for a bout 3-4 wks, i am unable to breath without rattling /wheezing and can't even shake-up a pillow, without taking inhalers inbetween. my doctor put me on clarythromycin 500mg, he rang next day to see how i was and it had eased a lot. However by that afternoon it crept back and has been as bad since. my doctor thought it could possibly be pneumonia, when he rang, but asi say it had eased ..He said i had to see him early next week. He also put me on prednisolone ,which i often have, but he said  keeping me on 6daily for a good while and eventually wean them down  do you think it is pneumonia.  i am coughing up lots of clear phlegm too.. Doctor: Hi thanks for contacting HCM...Noted you have emphysema and cardiac history...Here you could have exacerbation of emphysema....That can lead cough ...If pneumonia suspected at that time then chest x ray should had done to look for consolidation....Now you are given antibiotic and recovering.so no worry...As you have emphysema regular follow up needed.Avoid smoking....Keep minimal exposure to pollution....Ultimate treatment is lung transplantation.Take care....