COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
I am 37 years old and was diagnosed several months ago with mild emphysema. It was actually an "accident" that I even got the diagnosis to be honest. I was at the doctor for a completely unrelated (I think!) issue; lumps that come up in my breasts, under my arms, and in other places periodically that cause intense pain, sweating, nausea, and an overall bad feeling. In the course of an ER visit for one of these "episodes" a CAT scan was done which showed the damage to my left lung. No one said anything to me at that time. Six months later, I was at this point at an infectious disease specialist because none of the doctors could figure out what was going on with me. He ordered further x-rays and informed me that the emphysema had now progressed to my right lung as well. I was like "huh.....!?!?" I didn't even know anything about this!!
Anyway, overall I feel okay. Sometimes I notice that I get short of breath when talking to customers at work and trying to run around like I normally do. But typically, unless I am sick (as I am now--I have pneumonia) I don't feel like I am having any difficulty breathing. I have tried to research as much as I can about minimizing the progression of this disease and what I have found is not very encouraging to say the least. Does anyone have any experience with special diets or exercise programs that may help to strengthen the lungs? Any other ideas that maybe are not on all the websites? I really do not want to be disabled and on oxygen before I am even 50, but according to the doctor who diagnosed my pneumonia the other night I am well on my way to being exactly right there before ten years is even up. I am terrified and to be honest just plain irritated!! I don't want to believe that I actually have emphysema, as I said I feel fine usually. But I also don't want to be foolish and just bury my head in the sand and pretend I am fine. I am trying to be as proactive as possible and find some way to--if not reverse the damage--at least slow the progression. Any advice?
Thank you!!
Anyway, overall I feel okay. Sometimes I notice that I get short of breath when talking to customers at work and trying to run around like I normally do. But typically, unless I am sick (as I am now--I have pneumonia) I don't feel like I am having any difficulty breathing. I have tried to research as much as I can about minimizing the progression of this disease and what I have found is not very encouraging to say the least. Does anyone have any experience with special diets or exercise programs that may help to strengthen the lungs? Any other ideas that maybe are not on all the websites? I really do not want to be disabled and on oxygen before I am even 50, but according to the doctor who diagnosed my pneumonia the other night I am well on my way to being exactly right there before ten years is even up. I am terrified and to be honest just plain irritated!! I don't want to believe that I actually have emphysema, as I said I feel fine usually. But I also don't want to be foolish and just bury my head in the sand and pretend I am fine. I am trying to be as proactive as possible and find some way to--if not reverse the damage--at least slow the progression. Any advice?
Thank you!!
Exercise. Not smoking or being around others that smoke. See about a pulmonary rehab course, it will give you most everything you need to learn about diet and exercise to slow the progression of this disease. If you haven't had an Alpha 1-antitrypsin test, get one. It will tell you if there is a genetic deficiency component to your emphysema.
Remember - while you may have this disease, it doesn't own you...
Take care,
Dennis
My pulmonologist advised me to stay away from all smoke, barbeques included. And live in as clean an environment as possible - dust free, haha.
Hugs.
DeeDee
I'd just like to add when you're checking out all that information on COPD please do not put too much stock in the mortality charts or how you are going to keel over in five years and such. First of all, a great many of those charts were written some time ago and there's been much done in the way of medications and help for us.
Second, we're all different. One person's COPD may progress rapidly the other, not. I was diagnosed officially over 5 years ago, and the decline has been almost nil, I'm not on oxygen 24/7 and I'm almost twice your age.
Third, this is the time to listen to your body - it can be your own best friend. Take care of it, nurture it and respect it. If you smoke, do everything you can to quit.
The other thing that comes to mind is to live a stress free life as much as possible, if you are unable to do so, learn to handle the stress in a positive way.
Lastly, keep coming back. You'll find lots of good information here, people who have been through the same issues, and no question is too silly or too dumb to ask.
Best to you!
I am sorry you have this illness, but proper care can slow it down. Get with a good pulmologist and see about getting in a rehab group which will help so much.
If you are smoking, please do all you can to quit. You need to avoid all irritants, smoke, aresol sprays, dust, ect. I even quit going to beauty shop for a perm because of the hair spray and perm smell.
Get with a good lung specialist, and work out a personal plan for you.
Good luck with it, and do not let this disease run you.
BJ
Lots of great advice and info here, exercise and staying healthy! You said you are fighting pneumonia now, talk to your Dr. about getting a pneumonia vaccine. Kept my COPD in check for well over 10 yr till couple bad bouts of pneumonia 2 yr ago. Take care!
I'm 31 and was diagnosed last december, moderate emphysema mainly on my right lung, just like you 10 years ago I suffered a "spontaneous" pneumothorax. Prior to the collapsed lung I did smoke regularly for about 2 or 3 years, after the collapsed lung I quit smoking for about 1 year then after grabbed the habit again but not as frecuent only on "social" events. I know that theres no good way of smoking, doctor says that my emphysema might have started before my collapsed lung and actually have been the cause of that collapsed lung, obviously my poor choice of continuing the smoking habit just accelarated the progress from mild to moderate in the course of 10 years. My last cigarrette was before the exam that showed my diagnosis. I had the alpha1 exam and came back negative, conclusion, cigarrettes among other air polutants just got to me. So far I can still run, walk, clean, workout, swim without gasping for air but one thing I've been battling with is depression, I've had sleepless nights due to depression which then triggers exacerbations, I've noticed that stress also triggers exacerbations so for me taking things easy focusing on life and living has made things easier for me and in return less exacerbations and much better times. I guess everyone is just so different we just have to find our own way of dealng with this disease.
Brgds
Eric Hansen
Welcome to our group!