I just want to know more about it. im only 17. im terrified.
Dear Faith. Who told you you had copd. I find this hard to believe that such a young person could have it.
This is next to impossible for someone of your age. Can you please explain your symptoms and how exactly did your doctor came to this conclusion ?
I was originally diagnosed with COPD Emphysema and put on an inhaler at age 30. I found that too hard to believe, and unfortunately decided to disregard the diagnosis. So here I am at 2 weeks past my 50th birthday, and my lung collapsed. I needed lung surgery to staple shut the hole in my lung caused from the disease causing air sacks that had burst. And they tell me that my other lung is worse so this could happen again at anytime. Trust your doctor. Do as he says. Most importantly QUIT SMOKING IMMEDIATELY. I wish I had. Now I need to use medicine plus oxygen at night.
I feel sorry for you Jeannie...just out of curiosity, how much do you used to smoke and for how long did you smoke ??
I started at the young age of 13 years old. Early years I smoked a pack a day. Then it was maybe 1/2 a pack a day. But when I would have an alcoholic beverage (or so) I would smoke 2 packs in an evening. But I believe that this disease is just as all others, it is going to hit each individual differently. So if a person gets a heads up that smoking will harm you quicker or more severe than the next person, believe it. I stupidly thought that because my siblings and friends had no problems, then why should I? But the answer is that every "body" reacts differently to everything.
P.S. I quit the day I entered the hospital. Been 2 months now.
I agree that you are much too young. I would seek a second opinion and follow through to see if is a hereditary issue.
Try to stay calm and use your resources to confirm that diagnosis. I had issues when I was 40 and was stupid not to quit puffing. Now at 56 I am on the transplant list. Ask questions and compare diagnosis.
May i aslo say i have never smoked in my life time.
I would suggest another opinion. What are your symptoms? Do you work around pollution ie smoke dust etc. I am at a loss why someone so young would be diagnosed with COPD. Perhaps others will be able offer more suggestions later in the forum.
Try to stay relaxed and don't believe everything you read on the internet.
I didn't get it off the internet and i have gotten doctors options and tests done on me. And no I don't work around pollution, dust, or smoke.
I am still confused with the diagnoses. What did the doc. do to come to the conclusion that you have COPD ??
I apologise if you felt I used the internet to reference your diagnosis. I meant more of looking up the disease itself. I have done it a lot and it just tends to breed insecurity when you can not confirm with a medical team. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) - have you been tested for it? I have twice and it is genetic usually.
Again sorry if I was abrupt
Hello there, at on 17, I feel that perhaps you need to see the doctor again and explain your fears, ask him for a full explaination of your condition, what to do, where to research your particular type of copd, what would have triggered the problem, what you need to do to help yourself, what further tests do you need to discover how your lungs are operating etc, find out as much as you can, ask him to advise you where to look. Who to see, etc. the more information you have to work out exactly what is wrong copd is just an overall umbrella for many types of respitory illnesses. Try not to upset yourself at this stage until you know more. I admit it is very traumatic, wishing you lots of success in finding out exactly what is wrong and what caused the problem, and is there a way to fix it or at least slow it down. Special thoughts to you
Unfortunately, my pulmo says that 25% of COPD cases in the US never smoked cigs.
But: were you given spirometry tests, also known as Pulmonary Function Tests PFTs? No COPD diagnosis is valid without that.
What let to this diagnosis? Were you in the hospital? Was it made by a nurse, or a go, a pulmonary therapist or a pulmonologist? Whoever it was, you have the right to go back and ask why you were diagnosed.
Presumably you were given some meds and a regimen. What are they?
Should say, were you diagnosed by a nurse, a gp, ,,,
So sorry to hear that you have been given this type of news without ANY sort of explanation as to what COPD includes. It does cover a multitude of breathing type complaints and I would have thought that this would have been explained.
Without having ALL of the tests that have already been suggested by the other contributors, you and the doctors will never know.
I would point out that to my knowledge non of us have a medical qualification and therefore can only offer advise based on our own experiences.
I find it really hard to understand why your doctor has treated you this way. I would certainly be getting a second opinion and expecting a FULL diagnosis based on FACT not fiction.
I read an article recently that indicated that more than 60% of doctors miss diagnosed the symptoms of COPD.
So it seems that we can ALL be wrong some of the time. Just don't give up and just keep insisting on the PROOF and the probable CAUSE that has led them to this conclusion.
Forgot to ask? where do you live i.e country and what work do you do ?.
Wish you well.
Faith, I was terribly brusque in my earlier remarks. I apologize.
Robert Grey Nomad is right: we're not doctors. In our various fashions, though, we are your cheerleaders, and we're always here.
Thanks for your response.
I get to the point at times with some of the comments that are posted, that some act as doctors and that the advise that they give should be followed.
I have issues with my specialist at times, so am very critical of some of the " advise " given here.
The biggest problem is the amount of lung complaints that have been placed 'under the COPD " umbrella.
Its little wonder that some are totally confused.
PLEASE go and have ALL the tests and get a definitive FULLY detailed diagnosis before you drive yourself crazy..I am 74 and now use oxygen when I do anything physical.
It wont be the :copd" that kills you but the normal coughs and colds so stay away from anybody that is sick, especially grand children.
I developed a dry cough that just would not stop.. As a result it placed such a strain on my heart that it caused a mild heart attack. So I think that I can offer advise. BUT I will not nor cannot diagnose any complaint GO see your doctor. IF you don't like what you are told, see another one. If they both come up with the same results , then they are probably right.
Don't give up, I do not believe that you have much to worry about given your age