COPD & Emphysema Support Group

Well, I "googled" copd and young people and found severl sites that said even tho it is rare, people in their 20, 30, and 40 are being diagnosed more lately.
I am not sure how a person decideds if it is copd or asthma, but both are serious. Did he do any xrays? did he preform lung function tests, or a blood gas tests? That is how I was diagnosed with copd.

I am sorry she can not go to a lung doctor specialist. Can she get on Medicaid? Is there a human services (human resources) office there in your town that can get you some help?

I am sure the doctor is doing the best he can, as asthma and copd are similar sometimes. Ask about those other tests if you feel she has copd. Does she have insurance at all?

. It is scary, but she needs to help in her own recovery as it is, by staying positive as possible.

Perhaps if she ever gets the correct diagnosis, then the doctor can sit her down and explain what is going on, and it may make her feel a bit better.

Ask questions at the doctors visit. That is the only way we learn sometimes, because doctors get so busy they don.t explain things or tell us things.

Good luck, I hope things go well for her.

I really don't know what to do. I have heard that you cannot get medicaid unless you are under 18 or pregnant. I am very scared, because if she does have cystic fibrosis, that can cost thousands of dollars. We don't have anywhere close to that kind of money. If she had it, would she have to die because of no money?

I will have her try to apply, I guess all they can say is no. She wants to wait until she goes back to the clinic in a month, instead of having the test. I think she needs the test. She said she would rather not know if she has it.

None of this makes any sense, she was okay until around New Years, and everyone in the house got sick. She got bronchitis, then seemed to get a little better. Than everyone in the house got sick with another virus, and she got it again, or it became worse. I just wonder if it is possible that she never got over the bronchitis? They wouldn't even give her antibiotics before, because they said it wouldn't help.

Why would anyone with copd, cystic fibrosis, or asthma be okay, and then suddenly become sick and short of breath for then on? She never had problems breathing until this all started in January. The only other breathing problems she had in her life was whooping cough at 4 months old, and pneumonia when she was about 7.

I know this may sound stupid, but could there be some hidden mold or something in her room. I know I'm grasping at straws.
She had a pulmonary function test. They tested her lung function before a breathing treatment, and then after a breathing treatment. But she took some puffs of an inhaler before going for the test. I don't know if that would have altered the results or not.

My deepest sympathy for your situation things will get better your on the right track...I was diagnosed with emphysema from chest x rays and because I have a node ( polup thingy) Dr. s went in and looked inside lungs.
I was also last year hiking in 106° weather... I felt short of breathe and a little dizzy.. After I was given the news I had several exasperation one right after another. I think stress can play a huge role. Also I never had any allergies now I do...There are a lot of triggers for copd. As far as medical expenses....things will work themselves out doctors and health care places will send you in the right direction. So don't panic just yet. Figuring it what the illness is is half the battle. Just don't give up. I so remember never wanting to go back to another doctor....I have so many other separate health issues I was desperate for them to all be connected to one illness and one pill one cure....but that's just not how it works. Slow and steady wins the race.
Happy Thoughts Happy life