I have suffered moderate emphysema for the past several years. Just after Christmas 2009 I began feeling bloated. It got to the point where it seemed like the emphysema was getting worse. On Jan 22 I made appointment with respiratory physician who treats my emphysema. On the way to the office, thank heaven my wife was driving, I could not breathe. Made it to Dr's. office who ordered an ambulance and forwarded me to the ICU at local hospital. Spent a few days in ICU and general population with steroids, antibiotics, etc. Came home just fine did not feel bloated, short of breath, etc.
Two weeks later I started to feel bloated again, then last night the breathing issue began, used bronchodilator, which eased the problem, thought I would be in emergency room again, but used the dilator about every 1 1/2 hr. which slowed things down. Now it is superbowl sunday. I aslo use Spiriva.
Question is: can the bloating casue the breathing problem with those who suffer COPD?
second question: am I doing harm using dilator more often than prescribed till I get into Dr. hopefully, Monday?