Hi a few weeks ago i had a ct scan because i am loseing 2kgs a month, i got results a few days ago no cancer found but some bowl problem and was told i have mild emphysema and he just said i take it you smoke ? never said stop or see chest specialist so really confused what to do.
I don't have any shortness of breath just yet.
I read online it says you could only live 1 or 2 years so that's scary.
Wash it the respiratory consultant who told you that you have mild emphysema or your GP. I would ask for a copy of the letter that the hospital sent to your GP and discuss with your doctor.
Very mild and not shortness of breath is a huge plus as far as lung damage goes, but definitely seriously think about stopping smoking as this will cause further lung damage.
I guess if someone was only diagnosed at a very late stage with very severe lung damage and lung cancer to boot they may only live 1 or 2 years. But quite honestly, mild and no shortness of breath you can look forward to a lot more living.
I've moderate lung damage / emphysema, diagnosed over 12 years ago and I predict for myself at least another 15 or more years left. ( I am already in my 60s)
If you are UK check out the British Lung Foundation for information and helpline telephone contact. If you are overseas, check out the Lung foundation or Association in the country you reside for information. Read about all the does and don'ts
If you continue to smoke you will for sure deteriorate more quickly in essence, you can smoke yourself to death.
Lots of reading on patient UK site : https://patient.info/health/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-leaflet
Specialist at hospital told me i had that and gallbladder full of stones plus Diverticulitis.
But reading what you said has put my mind at rest now thank you very much and will speak to my doctor about it. PS i am 55 years old smoked for over 40 years.
Got to have a barium swallow to check for acid and hiatus hernia and will check my throat too.. but i did have a camera to look at my throat in march and was all fine. Still loseing weight but i also have acid reflux so don't eat much 
Specialist at hospital told me i had that and gallbladder full of stones plus Diverticulitis.
But reading what you said has put my mind at rest now thank you very much and will speak to my doctor about it. PS i am 55 years old smoked for over 40 years.
Got to have a barium swallow to check for acid and hiatus hernia and will check my throat too.. but i did have a camera to look at my throat in march and was all fine. Still loseing weight but i also have acid reflux so don't eat much
I personally would ask ,what to do from ur Dr......Like....How bad is it? Is it COPD! WHAT STAGE IS IT ,IF SO? HOW BAD IS MY EPHESEMA? THATS JUS OPINION!
If ur smoking u really do need to quit as soon as possible!
I hear u,I'm 55, 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed W COPD stage 2,Atherscoliosis n my gallbladder has been gone 25 years! Lolllll!
I too smoked 40 years, I feel so stupid n ignorant for starting in the first place! I have quit for 8 years now n I had a hard time too, They were like tranquilizers! . I Still want them ,but I need to live as long as i can I can, I don't want to suffer!So why or how did u start?
Hi Charlene they just said mild emphysema COPD never said a stage my doctor is calling me monday so i can tell him my results then he can request a copy of my results from the hospital.
I started when i was 12 / 13 because most of my mates did. I have tried to stop loads of times over the years but find it really hard to do, I have had problems for the last 6 years ever since i started having filters and cut down smoking, i have never been a big smoker and thought this would be the last thing i would get. But i was told that if they did a ct scan on people who have smoked for over 40 years most would have emphysema.
I knew all the risks so my own fault my dad died 59 from cancer of the pancreas. and my sister at 61 throat and lung and yet i still carried on
Did quitting make a change or was it still the same.
SO SAD! I'm so sorry! Yeah I was 15 when I started, My mother's friends daughter me I could lose alot weight if o would smoke n my mother already did it,so I didn't know it would lead to bad stuff,I was always worried about my weight all my life n so cigs really stop the splurging on snacking right away! R u fro. THE UK?
Yes in UK you don't have to say sorry it's no one fault but my own i knew the risks, but to pig headed to change.
That's true,But I've known people to b here up to 15 years after being told they have COPD including myself. . I was diagnosed in 2006 w COPD n Then 3 wks ago,I was diagnosed STAGE 2,and I'm still here! I stay away from smoky rooms,really heated days of up to 98 deg,n Below 30 deg I use scarves....when the wind blowing really cold n I get my pneumonia n flu shots!I use a nebulizer, my inhalers ! So I try to take care of my lungs,the best I can! And I use my CPAP machine! I'm at 57% on my FEV1 !
Not what stage mine is only mild they never seemed bothered about it at all. just said i take your a smoker.
Why did you ask if i live in the UK ? also what is a CPAP machine
2006 to now is only 10 years ? these posts are getting mixxed up so not sure which part your replying to.
I was told in 2006 I have COPD, FOR 10 YEARS! I was jus told 3 wks ago I have stage 2 COPD now! N I have Atherscoliosis Do u understand now? I'm sorry if I confused u!
But I know people that have had n do have now COPD! AND FOR 15 YEARS! I'M SORRY IF I CONFUSED U! 💓
Hi i think so 
so in 2006 they said you have got COPD and you have had it for 10 years is that right ? so you have had this for 20 years total. how did they know in 2006 that you have had it for 10 years ?
PS i thought mild emphysema was COPD
I am not smoking myself, but perhaps you meant to reply to john80670
John, in UK we have a specialist for lungs, the same specialist wouldn't discuss gallbladder or diverticulitis. I am no doctor myself but I would say your weight loss is to do with your not eating properly. You need to get the reflux, gallstones and diverticulities treated by the appropriate specialist and perhaps you want to check out the discussion groups for those illnesses separately. 'Search thousands of dicussions' search box to the right.>>>>>>>>>
Yes do get help with quitting smoking, its will aid your lung health and health generally.
I had a barium meal check when I was going through the process of elimination before emphysema was diagnosed, the barium meal I was told in my case it was to check and make sure its not cancer. Fortunately it wasn't and hopefully your results will eliminate that too.
Yes I had the camera / throat check too earlier on before diagnosis.
At the time these checks are worrying but necessary so that a true diagnosis can be given.
Best wish for your future test results.
Search list diverticulitis: https://patient.info/search.asp?searchterm=diverticulitis&searchcoll=All
Search list results for gallbladder stones: https://patient.info/search.asp?searchterm=gallbladder+stones&searchcoll=All
Reflux: https://patient.info/search.asp?searchterm=Reflux&searchcoll=All
Some people with COPD do get reflux but its not necessarily that one goes with the other but it can do with patients whose lungs have stretched, it doesn't normally happen with mild emphysema but do check with your lung doctor further about this.
Acid reflux can occur it you are not eating properly and its very important to have the reflux treated and not let it go untreated.
Best wishes V