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...
Hi, My name is Ellie, I am 32 y/o and live in Florida. I was recently diagnosed with COPD/Emphysema. Well, the Dr's have been telling me this for a few years now but I was hesitant to believe it since 2 Dr's said I had it and 2 said I didn't. I went to my PCP and he did a chest xray, ultrasound on my lungs and a breathing test on me, when I went back for the results the Dr. told me that I had the beginning stages of COPD/Emphysema. I am scared. My fiancee' is 34 y/o and has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer and was given 10 years to live (about 2 1/2 yrs ago) the problem is we both still continue smoking. I haven't asked Jon (my fiancee') if he'd consider quitting smoking but I know I want to, eventually! I am not ready right now, I have too much stress in my life! The other night, while resting, I noticed that I was wheezing. I know this is a bad sign. I am reaching out to ya'll for support and advice. I appreciate any and all responses.
Thank you for taking the time to read and maybe respond to this post.
Ellie
Thank you for taking the time to read and maybe respond to this post.
Ellie
COPD is annoying and miserable; CHF can kill in minutes. (Sadly CHF is often only recognized after hospitalization for a heart event.) Thats why any sudden increase in apparent common respiratory symptoms, like severe SOB, gasping, coughing, wheezing, etc. need extra attention. It may be something worse.
There is one major difference: If one has a large amount of fluid in their lungs it is likely CHF and not Lung disease - unless of course the fluid is caused by pneumonia, or is not so much extra fluid as extra phlegm, or an asthmatic / allergy attack, or perhaps, . No matter how dumb one might feel their pulmonologist is, one should always give them credit for having the guts for going into the field and not something less complicated like brain surgery. Smile!
Welcome and sorry you have been diagnosed with COPD. I wrote a comment on the other new member's discussion and it is same for you. You are always have a reason not to quit the cigarettes but you got to do it anyway! I was oxygen 24/7 for long time and still smoked. I was in and out of the hospital regularly. I finally had to quit because I couldn't make it across the room with oxygen. I quit and slowly came off of the oxygen. I started walking some and got even better. I hope you can quit. It will make a world of difference!
Scott