Question: I am in my 82nd year, and last year was told that I had COPD.  I gave up smoking 53 years ago, but my husband didn't stop until the price went up to nearly $11 per packet - about six years ago.  

I have been given medication by my doctor, but experienced quite sore and painful eyes, the pain seeming to come from inside, and the soreness in cysts on the eye ball itself.  When I had to get another prescription for the Spiriva inhaler I asked for the list of side-effects, to read "stop using if you get problems with your eyes or experience soreness" or words to that effect.  I also found that the Seretide inhaler made my throat sore.   The soreness has disappeared since ceasing to use that.  I have always tried to have natural healers, and wonder if you have any suggestions as to what I can get that is natural, which may help the condition I have been told I have.   When I told the Dr that I hadn't smoked for at least 53 years, he said I'd been inhaling other people's smoke, and that's where I must have got it.   I wondered thought if it could be caused through the bathroom or kitchen sprays as - even if I didn't inhale them - they did make me cough when I leaned into the bath or stood in the shower to clean them down. 

The fact that my husband appears to have absolutely no problems with his lungs after 60 years of smoking, really makes me envious, seeing as I stopped when I had my children so they wouldn't be at risk.   I realise that I've had this cough for many years, as I remember my cousin telling me to "...get something done about that cough !" in 1988.   

Answer: Thank you for writing to us and I'm sorry to hear about your problem with COPD.

There are liquid herbal medicines that can offer some assistance in the relief of your symptoms but unfortunately this is not something that is just available as on over the counter prepared medicine. It would be necessary to consult with a trained practitioner  with experience in this area.

What I can suggest is that you have a look at the website address I will provide below. This is a medical association in Australia whose members are also trained in a wide variety of natural medicines and therapies. They also provide a GP location service based on where you live.

http://www.aima.net.au/

If this is not possible for you, it would be worthwhile at least having a chat with your local pharmacist, explaining that your preference would be to find a herbal medicine if possible to help provide you relief of your symptoms.

Sorry I couldn't be of more specific help Margaret, its just that, not only is important for the person providing advice to be able to ask you more questions, but I also could not legally provide such advice over the internet for a condition like COPD.