I have been diagnosed with both asthma and COPD since 2011. Diagnosis confirmed after recent lung function tests in hospital. PEF 77% predicted (reversible to 86%), FEV1 56% (reversible to 67%) and FEV1/FVC 49% (reversible to 54%). Never smoked. No particular abnormalities found on CT scan. Main symptom random breathlessness with no obvious trigger. Primary care has been very disinterested - stuck me on BD and ICS inhaler back in 2011 and left me to it. No explanation of what an exacerbation might even be. I trundled along fine until a very nasty bout of pneumonia in May. Hospitalised for 2 weeks, with a couple of days in ICU being threatened with a ventilator. I realise that counts as an exacerbation. Recovery has been slow and PEF not coming back anywhere near where it used to be (hence the recent consultation, tests etc)
I am just now recovering from a 5 day cold. Slight temperature, slightly increased breathlessness, slightly productive cough and quite severe fatigue. PEF (post BD inhaler) down to 63%, coming back slowly. FEV1 post BD down to 53%. FEV1/FVC unchanged. (I have purchased a pretty reliable home spirometer since the medics decline surveillance unless I pay privately).
Is/was that an exacerbation? Just a cold? Is a cold an exacerbation? Does it matter?