This is a poor answer, but frankly and simply there is NO reliable examples of what to expect at the "End". The various "stages" are just that - simple pigeon holes in which people in general can be classified - this helps medical people to provide a treatment program and medications. Obviously with a disease that is Chronic and Progressive there is always eventually an "end stage". A point where SpO2, CO2 retention, gas exchange, etc. are getting too low to sustain life. Collect enough data and you can come up with some statistics, numbers and possible events for a population that fall within those guidelines - BUT there is no way to come up with some number or specific event for anyone individual.
There is an ancient piece of black humor, not that funny, but quite factual - No one has an expiration date stamped on their heel.

No doctor can ethically give you one, at least not in the detail you would like. He doesn't know, no one really knows. However, the fact he was frank enough to tell you to start preparing is a good clue it will be soon. Also consider that near the end it is just as likely that some comorbidity will become the final factor - eg. COPD patients often develop pneumonia. Other organs may shutdown due to lack of oxygen. The heart may just quit.... (sad to sound so blunt) so even if one knew the exact course of a particular lung aliment that doesn't mean COPD will be the final destroyer.

I wife passed away last year from Breast Cancer. She was in Hospice 13 days. The whole family was by her side. They originally thought it would be only a few days. While they don't share information one can see what is going on around the Hospice. One woman passed an hour after admittance before any of her family arrived. One gentleman was still there before we arrived and still there after we left. And everything in between.

Take care of yourself. Be strong. And follow the advice of the Hospice staff - because they see it ALL sooner or later - they can help. One day at a time.

I am sorry to hear all that is wrong with her. You have my sympathy. What gnott says is good advice. with congestive heart. , it sounds like she is taking it tough. give her your support , is the best thing I can tell you.

Thank you both for your input! She just seems okay right now so I can't help wishing for a cure. Even though there is none.

end stage is just a term used for "stage 4" or "very severe" COPD. People have lived for years in that stage so really no answer for your wife......My mom passed away from CHF and she had to take a daily diuretic pill because she retained so much fluid. And she had a "super diuretic" pill for when she swelled badly with water.....so if your wife is retaining fluid, that is something to ask her dr or hospice nurse about. my mother filled with so much fluid at one time that her tongue has swollen & she couldn't breath unless in a sitting position. At that time hospice furnished a hospital bed so she could prop herself up at night.....I don't think everyone loses their appetite or quits eating. My sister passed away from COPD and she ate all the way to the end. My sister was a large woman & enjoyed her food (opposite of me) so everyone is different.....From my understanding, steroids like prednisone increase appetite also. BTW; I don't know what sites you are finding about "end stage" as there actually is no such stage of COPD.! as I stated above there is "stage 4" or "very Severe", which I guess can be interpreted as end or last stage, but that is like saying that people over 50 are at the end stage of their lives.....see what i'm trying to say? When i was first told that I had a 2nd lung disease on top of my COPD & that I only had 3 to 5 years to live I found a lot of "horror story" web sites. All those did was worry me and upset me. There is some wonderful information on the web, but there is also a lot of bad information, so please be careful where and what you read. ....( I was given the 3-5 year prediction 4 years ago---i've been out on my ATV the past 4 days irrigating my pasture...so i'm not gone yet LOL) ......We had a member (before this site change) that had several illness also and he coined the phrase "there is no expiration sticker stamped on a human". I hope jim finds his way here to tell some of his stories.....for instance, his dr told him he was in end stage & predicted how long jim had left. We all got a chuckle when he told of receiving an email that he had pre sent himself of the date the dr had predicted he'd dye--- i think he printed that email up to show his dr!!!! My dear, I do hope you quite wasting the time you do have with your wife worrying yourself about what is going to happen someday and enjoy your time with her now. Make some good memories now; for you if your wife passes, or for your wife if you pass before her. ((((HUG)))

Thank you jarca1! I am deciding to quit trying to figure out something i can never really know and enjoy every moment with my wife. Count my blessings and stay in today ♡

Hi , just joined y'all. diagnosed emphysema ,scared for sure.

Have absolutely no idea of your condition, but appreciate that practically everyone here has been where you are at. First, off try not to panic - plenty of time later (Smile). Nothing dramatic is likely to happen in the coming weeks. - you will get a variety of medicines - mostly to find out a best treatment, learn some breathing techniques, etc. But you will be fine - just SoB. Annoying but you can manage. Work on staying calm, because "anxiety attacks" are quite normal, but don't help.

But last - you will likely be around annoying people, helping people, enjoying your family for a long time. I for example (BODE Index) have had something like a 50% chance of surviving 2 years, every year, for the last 6 years. (Grin)

As long as I am moving, they can't bury me. That is my motto everyday.

To Ronnie...Welcome. Most of us didn't know enough to not be scared initially. Keep with a support group you feel comfortable with. Feel free to do some light research on the web, but tiptoe since we're different in how COPD affects us, its easy to become misinformed by searching online. Primarily you want to speak with people, about your particular concerns, who have been living with COPD for years, and your medical person who have learned and fortunately are still learning. Best to you!

I at 18% is considered Severe Stage 4 but by the BODE INDEX I am really at the lower end of Stage.3........I am still reasonably functional n independent and the only option is to eat as well as possible but not to the point of getting paranoid and exercise no matter if i force myself out of my comfort zone.......Now with Pulmonary Hypertension adding to the mix, it is just one day at a time......

GOLD I - Mild COPD

At this stage, there is mild limitation of air flow, but patients are not always aware that their lung function is abnormal.

GOLD II - Moderately severe COPD

At this stage, the limitation of airflow causes symptoms such as coughing, coughing up phlegm and shortness of breath during exertion. Patients usually seek medical treatment at this stage.

GOLD III - Severe COPD

At this stage, the limitation of airflow is even greater. Patients complain of worsening shortness of breath, fatigue, limitations to daily activities and repeated exacerbations that all affect quality of life.

GOLD IV - Very severe COPD

This stage is characterised by a very severe reduction of airflow, so severe that the limitation also affects heart and blood vessels. Daily administration of extra oxygen may be required. The complaints are so severe that temporary worsening can be life-threatening.