I was diagnosed with copd. I suspect emphysema but don't know how to get this checked or if the symptoms are different. Does anyone know? I asked the practice nurse and she looked blank then said copd is copd.
Hi Jeanette The best and easiest way to find out your lung status is to have it referred to a respiritory specialist or pulmonologist. They will take you through a number of tests including spirometry and an xray and CT Scan. After this you will now you current condition.
COPD breaks down as, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is something that causes Obstruction in our lungs for breathing. This is a classification named for a number of lung diseases that fall under this classification. The top two are, Emphasema, and, Chronic Bronchitis. I think there may be a couple other diseases, but can't remember them.
You have every right to know which lung disease you fall under, within this classification (COPD). Knowing your disease can help in many different ways such as, finding what kind of treatments that have historically been used for a disease, the disease's progression rate, the types of surgeries or other surgical procedures can be used with your specific lung disease, the culprit of what caused the disease to form, and more.
Please tell your nurse that you want to know which disease falls with in the COPD classification, and which one do I have?
I hope I have helped,
Take Care,
Brenda
Thank you for taking the time. I will see my doctor and ask him to refer me. 😊
Thanks Brenda.
That was really helpful. I do want to know as my grandma died of emphysema but my questions get smiled at. I feel better armed now. 😊
Hi I get exactly the same response when I ask my nurse or doctor. They get angry and say it just all comes under copd now. I think they don't actually know.
I pushed the last nurse very hard and she said she thinks it is more likely chronic bronchitis, but I still don't know for sure.
I don't think it matters that much in the earlier stages, but certainly in the later ones it does. x
Thank you for your reply. I agree with you! They don't seem to know and yet this is a common and fast growing disease in this country. All the information I have is from American sites where they are so much better informed. The common questions they tell you to ask is received with either blank stares or a mind your own business attitude. It's sad 😕
Emphysema is permanent damage to the lung. Lung cell walls break down expand the cells and they become ineffective.
Asthma is inflammation in the lungs inhibiting air flow and is reversible.
I have both and I think it is common to have both. But not sure.
Well that was a smart a$$ answer she gave you so much for bedside manner. I suggest you talk to your dr. Write down all your questions and make sure he gives you the best possible. I wish you luck my dr could have given me more advice but some stuff I find on the Internet.
Asthma isn't usually covered under copd as it is reversible with the right meds. Copd is not reversible and usually covers Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. Most people have primarily one with a bit of the others.
Emphysema is the destruction of the aveoli at the bottom of the lungs - the bit that exchanges gasses ie oxygen and carbon dioxide. CB is damage to the upper airways and the sacs of the lungs. Sufferers of CB often cough a lot and tend to have more mucus. x
yep sure is
Thank you. I'm more convinced it's emphysema from what you have said.
Thanks Pat 😊
Pam!!! Predictive text 😃
Lol I am the worst here for spelling, spell check is brutal to my posts. I am starting to get better by proof reading. Keep in touch Hun.🇨🇦
Hahahahaha
! Will do. Keep smiling. 😃
Hi Margaret.
I am in Australia and I find it hard to understand why all of the comments on this post seem to have the same problem. NOT BEING TOLD THE TRUTH Or seeing Drs and practice nurses that just DON'T know..( forgive me if I generalise )
We don't have the stuff from " star treck " insist on seeing a LUNG specialist. Have an Xray / MRI because without these you will never know.
There are many lung conditions that show very similar symptoms.
Where are you all from that you are being treated ( or shoud I say, not being treated ) this way.
If you don't like what you are being told, get a second opinion. Its your body, look after it as best you can, BUT you can't do that without a complete and acurate diagnosis.
Unfortunately, COPD seems to be the forgotten disease and yet is growing at an expertential rate world wide.
The treatment once it is detected also has huge variation across the world.
Best wishes Robert.
Hi I am in the UK and I wish the services you have are available to us under our NHS. I have been several times angrily refused even a CT scan on the grounds that it is 'not necessary'. As for an MRI scan words fail me. I know I am entitled to a second opinion but even when asking are refused point blank..
Ok I only have mild/moderate copd but sometimes even those with more severe copd are refused.
The only way I could do it is to pay privately, but even then I think I would still need a referral. Also over here if you go private sometimes the NHS won't take over the treatment and expect you to carry on paying privately. Few people here have private insurance. x
Oh also meant to say that it is far from unknown here to be diagnosed with copd for years then told later it's bronchiectasis. I have a friend - an ex-nurse who suffered needlessly for years before being rediagnosed with this. x
Oooooooooo worth a mention. It's like they have no interest in this disease. 😕 thanks hypercat