I just got diagnosed 2 weeks ago I was a smoker and stopped the day I got my diagnosis I have 3 children and I'm scared I wont be here to watch them grow up, roughly how long do do have left thanks anks
My heart is with you buddy. It seems highly unlikely to be diagnosed with copd at this age. How long and how much do you used to smoke. How did the doc. Diagnosed it ?
31 is very young for a COPD diagnosisis , can you get a second opinion?
Hi there Louise! Do I ever feel your panic....was the same for me when diagnosed a year ago. The best thing you can do for yourself you are doing....stopping smoking. The next best thing is learn about this disease from reliable sources. You can control this beast and live for decades and enjoy your children and grandchildren. Taking your meds properly, exercise, proper nutrition and stress reduction are all a part of it. I stumbled upon Noah Greenspan's webinars in a marvelous Facebook support group called Breathe Easy. They calmed ne down and taught me we are in control !Have you been tested for Alpha 1 ?
Hello Louise. Don't panic. You can live to a good old age . I was diagnosed at 40 and I am now 57 and still not requiring oxygen. My Mam lived 40 years after her diagnosis and lived to 74. If you have not already had indepth testing from the consultant and hospital please request it. I find some GP are too quick to say people have COPD without the patients having proper lung functioning tests
Hi how long is a piece of string? Do you know your lung function? (FEV1). I would guess you are mild in which case you will have many years left of a healthy life. A normal lifespan if you look after yourself. Please don't ask Dr Google as you will go from alive to dead in 3 clicks!
Because of your young age you need a simple blood test to see if there is a genetic link. This is called Alpha 1 Deficiency Test. It is rare but should be done as standard for someone your age. If you haven't been offered one yet ask your doctor. Do you have any close family members who have or had COPD? This might indicate a genetic link.
If you google stick to recognised sites like this one, the NHS or The British Lung Foundation. There is also an American Lung Association too. x
Hiya thank you very much for your reply could you please tell what alpha1 is
Hi there thanks for the reply I was giving the breathing test can't remember the name of it they said my lungs are of age of 61 some days I struggle to walk to the shop and other days I'm not so bad
Hi there thanks for the reply I was giving the breathing test can't remember the name of the it my lungs were re age of 61,yeah my dad has this and my gran did also but the weren't diagnosed as young as me
I know but I runs in the family and I've been smoking 20 years, they done the respitory breathing test after months months of chest infections and struggling to breath
Here is a good explanation
https://patient.info/health/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency-leaflet
Hi Louise,
You have come to the right strength as the members exeprince and knowledge of COPD will be valuable to you. As long as they have elimanted its not the A1 gene that is the cause of you being diagnosied so young. We are here for you as its an illness where you have bad days as you explain. Are you still having to work?
Hiya I'm going to go back to work this Monday I do not want to give into this illness I want to try and push myself to live a normal life and be here to watch my baby's grow up I'm petrified of leaving them
hi Louise sorry to hear it runs in the family, (sigh) I am sure you ll get great care & other posters are giving you terrific advice. My 2 cents would be to avoid air polution, sounds silly but I hve noticed those living in bad air quality places get worse faster. Protect your lungs every way possible. It may sound odd but I would move if the air was nasty in my living environment that said best of luck girl you are young & determined
I can tell !!!
Well I was told my lungs were 89 when I was 56! I am still mild though 6 years on. Your dad and gran were living in different times when there wasn't so much research or treatment. It definitely sounds like it runs in your famuily.. You must insist on the blood test. All this means is that it is still copd but because you are so young it has come on earlier than usual. You might need more aggressive treatments to fight it.
I admire your positivity to fight it but do remember that you need to look after yourself, especially your lungs. If you get overtired you are more liable to become ill. It's achieving the correct balance which is important. You will learn when to fight it but also when it's time to rest. x
Do you think I shouldn't work? I x
Thank you x
No. But if it is making you too tired and ill then you might have to reconsider. You have 3 children and that is tiring enough if you don't have to work outside the home. On the other hand it's great to just be you and not a mother etc. so it depends entirely on how you feel (and if you need the money of course).
Listen I am not saying treat yourself like an invalid or anything as you need to lead a normal life. I am only saying be aware of what your body is telling you. If you do get problems with your lungs ie an exaceration or something don't be brave and try and tough it out - seek treatment.
There is a big difference between being 'brave' and being foolhardy. Learn to know the difference. Ok? x
Hiya all I just want to thank yous all for your kind words and advice, today hasn't been a good day, I took my baby out and was struggling to push the pram, I'm just heartbroken I have made an appointment with the doctor to get further tests as I'm convinced I'm worse than they think or it may be something else I no if I'm suffering from anxiety and refusing to accept I have copd I'm just convinces I'm going to die soon, I no this might sound stupid bit I can't look at my babies without crying think thinking they will be left without a mum to look after them :-(
Hello Louise
I understand your bad day. And you are frightened and worried.
Not being able to breathe well is frightening and worrisome also.
COPD can and certainly is possible at your age, and younger. The primary cause is smoking. The more remote cause is genetic.
You have been disagnosed recently.
Presumably you have been given medications. I would be intersted to know what they are.
It is extremely important to take them as directed and to take them properly in the case of inhalers/puffers.
You were struggling a lot today. Please know that some of the inhalers do not begin to work to their full potential for several days or even weeks.
It takes time for them to relieve some of the inflammation in the lungs. And it takes time for some to open the airways but relaxing the muscles.
In your efforts to fight the disease you must first get things calmed down....get the medications working and get some rest. Once these are in place, your breathing should improve and allowe you to do more.
You should have been given a "rescue inhaler", often it is blue, and to be used when you are feeling short of breath. I would recommend that you use this inhaler about ten or fifteen minutes before going for your walk. Also, there is a tool which you can use with this inhaler to ensure the majority of the medication gets into the lungs, and also gives you more time to inhale the medication. It is called a 'spacer", it is a plastic device that fits onto the blue inhaler and allows you to inhale the medication at the other end. Please talk to your pharmacist about this. Where I live you do not need a prescription for it, but if you do, ask the pharmacist to call your doctor for a prescription. Follow the instructions on the inhaler..and use this as I said, in a proactive manner as well as when you find yourself acutely short of breath.
You should also ask for a referral to a COPD program as soon as you can...you will learn a lot on how to manage the COPD and be able to lern what are steps you can do to help yourself.
Not smoking, breathing cleaner air and taking your medications properly and as instructed as well EXERCISE are the most important things to do!
You will move forward. Many people live long and active lives with COPD.
Know all you can learn.
Lill