I was diagnosed last summer with moderate copd. When I went to see a pulmonologist for the first time in February, there was an intern working in place of the lead doctor. He checked me out and asked questions, then told me I was doing well, that I could even try going off my Spiriva respimat if I wanted. He told me I don't need to get a lung function test done this year, and he doesn't need to see me again. I exercise every day, pushing myself on my treadmill and doing weights. When I hit 94 O2, I slow myself down on the treadmill and O2 goes back up quickly. This summer I feel like I've been doing really well and can do a lot without O2 dropping too easily.
I forgot my Spiriva one day last week until early evening and thought, hmmm...maybe I'll try going off it and see how I do. Well, not terrible, but not great. Main thing was, my O2 levels dropped to 93 with my regular outside walks. More mucus and coughing. My sleep really seemed more interested as well l. After 4 days of not being on it, I decided I needed to go back on Spiriva. An experiment I wish I hadn't done. I am now two days back into taking the Spiriva and my O2 still drops too easily while exercising (94/93 on not so steep hills).
Question is, will I go back to being where I was before the 4 days of stopping it. Will it take a while again for the Spiriva to fully work? I am worried that the 4 days not on it made everything worse.