Prior to actually experiencing an exacerbation, and reading posts here, I often wondered "were those serious SOB's" an exacerbation's? Well, now I know, they weren't!
I've had 2 exacerbation's in the last 2 years, both different, both disabling, and both requiring medical intervention.
Summer of '18 I was having a difficult time breathing. Then it got to the point where I just couldn't get a breath. We packed up and went to ER. With care, I was quickly breathing better, and went home {as a non-smoker} after 4 days.
Completely different experience this past weekend. I was feeling bad. Just no ambition all week. Tried taking my nap, to no avail. Gut was acting up, just felt lousy. While my O2 > 96%, I was still OB and more importantly my pulse was going wacko. Ranging from 115 - 165bpm. Went Urgent Care, they imediately administred a breathing treatment - yet pulse was still wacko. They called ER. From there I got immediate attention, probably a steroid and many tests {x-ray from that the Dr noted I have COPD! and several CT scans}. Constellations w/my Dr I was admitted and treated accordingly. My Dr added a heart med "metropol" to calm the heart. Many lung/heart checks were all good. By that we got my pulse to calm down. However every time I needed to pee, my SOB rose up, and pulse went high. Settling down after a short time. My second night BP hit a high of 188/88, much higher than my normal 120/66. From what I can figure is that I didn't have access to my normal meds, including 2 for BP.
At any rate, Dr comes in in the morning asking if I was ready to go home. YES! Gt home, took a nice nap, showered and am now on the mend.
The reason I'm writing now, is for many years I didn't know what constituted an exasperation, and hope to help others better comprehend to nature of these serious events in the life of a COPD'er. //ed