Sabrina -
My first response would be not likely. A person your height and age has certain size lungs with a given volume. Any lessening of that is usually pretty permanent, as lung tissue (avoli) doesn't heal. I expect that eventually stem cell treatments will give us the ability to repair organs
That being said, you can increase your breathing endurance and maximize your existing lung capacity. Exercise and proper diet will provide you with a better weight to oxygenation capabilty in addition to insuring that the rest of your cardiovascular system is up to snuff.

Hugs,
Dennis

Oersonally, I don't think it's possible. Once the damage is done, from what I understand, it can't be reversed.

All you can do is find a pulmonary rehab near to you, and with a script from you treating doc, sign up! The really first line against the COPD and to slow its' deadly progression is to remove the "source" of your COPD. If it's cigarette smoking, you must stop smoking, unless you like the grim reaper hovering over your head all of the time!

If you do enroll in a pulmonary rehab, one of the first things they will/should teach you is proper breathing techniques to use while exercising and/or get short of breath. There's only one that I know of, and it's called "Pursed Lips Breathing". What this is, is "scrunch" your lips together, as if you're going to whistle. and inhale and exhale through the little opening in your lips. What this does for you is two fold: It forces you to relax without even trying, and it also strengthens, if you're lucky, any remaining alveoli in your lungs.

Having said that, there is a surgery technique available. Lung Reduction Surgery. What this does is a portion of the damaged area/s of the lower lung/s is removed. What this does is give any remaining Aveoli a little bit more room in the thoracic cavity (your chest) to expand. For me, this type surgery will do no good because ALL of the alveoli in my right lung has been destroyed, and 80% in my left lung is gone! Plus, I have a major MRSA infection in both lungs that is feasting on what is remaining of my lungs. Sadly, 2 yrs, 11 mos ago, I was given a prognosis of 2yrs, 6 mos, tops from a pulmonary surgeon in one of the largest lung treatment centers on the east coast. His words to me and my wife were something to the effect: "Go home and enjoy the rest of your life." Which is exactly what I'm doing. What is there to "enjoy" with this type of existance? you might be saying ..... I enrolled in a pulmonary rehab .... I learned "pursed lip" breathing techniques. I can be sitting perfectly still in a chair, and without warning, I'll be out of breath as if I'm running a marathon or something. So. I do a lot of pursed lip breathing throughout my awake periods every day!

The other thing I do is "talk" to people like you and keep pushing and shoving to get you all to not concentrate on your problems. All that does is produce internal negativity, and when that occurs you're no good to yourself, or anyone else for that matter!

One thing in my life I've learned and am compelled to share after living, so far, 36 years with Parkinson Disease and the last three years with end stage emphysema: No matter how bad off or ill you are, there is someone out there who has far more worse problems than you and they have a smile on their lips and prayers of thanksgiving in their hearts because they are alive!

At "the end of the day" the bottom line is exercise at a pulmonary rehab facility, learn the proper breathing techniques, and try your best to have positive thoughts. That way, besides helping yourself by being proactive with your own healthcare (doctors can't be expected to do everything!). It is YOUR body, YOUR lungs, and YOUR mindset that will lead to more good times in your life and in the lives of those who share your loves and passions. One more thing to keep tuccked away in your heart and soul, no matter how many times you look all over your body, nowhere will you find an expiration date stamped on your body. That's something only God Above knows the time and the place.

Prayers, Jim

You seem like a truly beautiful and very intelligent man! God bless you. Debbie.

I sang all thru high school, and after that in musicals, and i had a wonderful high school music teacher. He taught us how to breathe from the abodomen, and so when my OccTherapist came over, and talked to me about it, i said "Oh, i know all about it"...She also mentioned the pursed lips, when breathing. One thing she uses to remind her patients is, Inhale = "Smell the Flowers", Exhale= Blow out the birthday candles".

Just an extra comment to maybe help someone also...

Boo

Thanks mate... thats a true honest post....

It's a shock to find out you have copd
I went to hosp thinking I was having a heart attack they did an xray on my lungs and found emphysema. Life has not been the same since.I struggled with quitting smoking (never was a heavy smoker only 6-10a day) quit for about six months then started again, was only smoking two a day. But pulmonary doc.Told me had to not smoke at all have been smoke free for four almost five months.wish I never ever started,but that's life....I found this great site. People are very knowledable...helps alot. Chins up.....

silfox: Everyday I hope you are on here because just reading what you have to say gives me the kick in the butt that I need. You write as if you are talking and I really enjoy it. Not all preachy or syrupy (is there such a word?) Keep up the good work you do for the rest of us folks.

Hj Kanadian,
Thank you from my heart! Your comments, eapecially, as well as everyone eelse's added more rresolve to my battle and my committment to be everyone's friend, and to support them in any way I can!

I do bvlieve in telling the truth. In other words, I'm not going to tell someone a certaain procedure won't hurt, wspecially if I've undergone the same thing and know differently!
Black is black and red is red. Not different. Though many of us are from very different (in some cases) parts of the world, language, race, etc., we are all respect and honesty deserving individuals! I have been through an awful lot of pain aand joy in my 68 years. I am "serving in my Perdition now, rather than after the fact".

My "service" in my rnd days is to serve my God in any way He directs me!

Only my God knows the day and hour of my "departuree",I won't, any longer, use the words death or dieing. Too much finality there for me. There is a life waiting for all of us. One with no illness or worry, but eternal joy is promised for all of us who believe!
We may not have the chance here on earth to meet, but in our tommorrows we shall meet.

When my day and hour arrives, be happy for I shall have no more pain and I'll have a new set of lungs!
(To go along eith the new wings, I hope!)

Prayers to all, Jim