I am anxious about this recent news - have not smoked for 11 years and when I did smoke, it was never more than about 12 cigs a day or less. To boot, I also quit several times. I'm scared
How old are you rosemary27900
Hi Rosemary.
Please don't panic too much.
From what you have said it is VERY early days and as we all have signs of copd showing whenever it was we smoked.
If you gave up smoking and have lived, what could be called a healthy lifestyle since, ie: good diet, excercise and generally stayed away from all the other nasties that the world seems to want to throw at us, you may have nothing much to worry yourself about.
However, I would recomend that you have a regular yaerly health
I'm 58
I guess reading about other people's experiences have frightened me. I basically think I have only a few years left. I know on some level that that is not rational but until I know more details, I guess talking to other people with this disease helps.
Sorry hit the wrong button.!!
Have a regular health check and if posssible se a resputory specialist.
His test could possibly include a spiromitory test.
You have not mentioned whether you have any probles, especialy with breathing or shortness of breath ??.
You also don't mention your age ?
I am 74 and live with 20% lung capacity for a number of years.
It really can be controlled but NOT reversed.
There are many people on these forums that have lived very usefull lives and we are all happy to advise you of how we cope with the problems that COPD can have. BUT remember , these are our experiences, we are not medical professionals.
I do hope this helps and I really wish you the best of help for the future.
Regards Robertgreynomad ( OZ)
I am 70 and was diagnosed about 12 years ago and was a heavy smoker and carried on smoking until 2 yrs ago and apart from when I get flare ups I lead a normal life with my Braltus inhaler so I wouldn't worry too much if I was you. Having said that I guess everyone is different but personnally I think you will be fine.
Thank you for your kind words. I need to see my results of the CT Scan in order to
Put my mind at ease. I go for a lung function test on April 4. I have no symptoms whatsoever so it is upsetting me a great deal.
Thanks Robert, I am a bit panicked right now
Most of us with any kind of COPD get diagnosed a bit differently, that is, after we've been showing symptoms for long enough to complain to our docs. If they have caught yours earlier, all to the good.
Sadly, those periods when you stopped smoking for awhile don't count as anything other than more pack years. I can't explain it, I just know from all my docs that that's how it is for our lungs.
Hi don't panic as unless you have severe symptoms it will only be mild. I was diagnosed with mild copd at 54 and 9 years later am still mild. You need to look after your health and live a healthy lifestyle and you will be fine.
Most people with copd die with it rather than from it.
What do you mean?
It does continue to get worse right?
I know exactly how you feel. I am 56 and went last year for a promotional CT scan and it showed the same thing. I had a 3mm nodule and a 3cm Bulla. Quit Smoking and went again this year for a followup and everything showed the same. Went to a pulmonologist to put my mind at ease and said for me to not worry and enjoy life. I was consumed in searching everything and anything I could on the internet which is even more scary so Ive tried to quit doing that. I did do the spirometry test and go back in June for a yearly one. I dont know what all the numbers mean but I will listen to my dr. and TRY to not worry which is hard to do. I believe anyone that smoked or does smoke probably has empysema which is under the umbrella COPD which I think they go hand in hand. Anyway what all did the CT scan show. Keep thinking positive and try not to worry which is easier said than done.
Also if there is anyone on here that can give me info on a Bulla I would very much appreciate that. There is not much online about that when I do get online to look.
I wasn't given any numbers which made the whole thing worse. I am going back tomorrow to the doctor with 10 questions.
Let us know what happens at your doctor's visit.
I will Annan
Please let me know how your dr appt goes
Rosemary don't be scared! We all have been scared. I was as well a year ago when I found out. What I have learned was from this forum of amazing people that will reach out to help you. I am doing great. I have learned that excersize is important. I have been referred t a Respiroligist that I see every 3 months. Last appointment was last week. He said I was doing great. Ask your Doctor the right treatment for you. We all are different. You will be just fine. Keep asking questions and compile the answers. You are not alone. Keep us posted. We are here for you.
Ellen
If we take care of ourselves & our lungs, chances are we'll die of something else - or just plain old age - rather than die from our lung disease.
You asked me if lung disease continues to worsen. None of us can offer an absolute but we give our experience. For me as for so many others here, I rocked along for 15 or more years without things getting much worse. The only reason I'm worse now is because I was too stupid to go back to the doctor when my cough got worse. That's all on me. As everyone here says, eat right, exercise,learn good breathing techniques, and do your meds if they give you any. You really are very fortunate to catch this before you've started showing symptoms.