They might start with a Spirometry test by having you forcefully blow into a tube that measures the volume of air and the force exhaled, and possibly an xray.

A more complete test would be a Pulmonary Function Test.

An even more revealing test would be a CT scan, but that would probably only be decided after the other tests.

Don't panic yet. If you smoke it could very well be bronchitis. By finding out now, you might be lucky and find out early enough to avoid chronic bronchitis or emphysema, if you quit smoking. immediately.

I'm not a doctor, so find out from a real one.

thank you! sooo very much!

Welcome to the site !

Hope your Doctor visit goes well. Write down a list of questions for him/her and like Puffy said, don't worry yet until they do the tests and answer your questions.

Best of Luck to you.
Wes

If you Dr. is not a Pulmonologist, ask for a referral. Don't panic if you hear COPD or Empy. I self treated myself for years and almost died because, due to family history, I knew I had COPD so I figured who needs a Dr. all I need is an inhaler. While that may have helped for a while, it wasn't until I wound up in the hospital that I finally got the proper treatment. I have stage 3 COPD and I never felt better. I exercise 4 times a week and I take advair and spiriva. So all I'm saying is don't panic, see a Pulmonologist, follow his instrctions and exercise daily. You won't believe how good you can feel. As far as the required testing is concerned, the other replies covered it, but if you are seeing the right specialist you should not have to ask for them, he or she will tell you you need. them.

Janet

It's great you discovered this site so soon! We can certainly reduce your panic because we're still here. I'll just re-emphasize what's already been said, because what's most important is your communication with your doctor. Before your visit make liberal notes of signs/symptoms and freely discuss with your doctor - hopefully, you have one that listens and understands. 2ndly take notes during your dr's visit; and if you don't understand, ask. Too many of us misinterpret early on and wound up wasting time being depressed. There's hope - please approach it that way. Good Luck!

Hi Linda50 - I got my diagnosis about a year ago and with stopping smoking immediately, exercise and decent meds, I'm doing much better than a year ago.
That said, it took a 911 Emergency to get my attention. Allergies, asthma and COPD-like symptoms run in my family, so I wasn't all that surprised with the diagnosis.
I agree with the others on this forum - get a pulmonologist/specialist; follow their advise, if initial meds don't work, they'll prescribe others until you find a good combination. For me right now, it's Combivent, Symbicort, Flonase, Zyrtec and O2 about 12-15 hrs a day @ 1-1/2 LPM and I'm doing great. Just got finished planting flowers and pruning roses.
Good luck to you! Keep checking back on this forum for help and a place to share concerns and good news as well + MamaMarg's great sense of humor. Barb

Thank you all for your advise. well they did a chest x ray came back normal. said my lungs sounds really clear. my dr put me on ATTOVENT INHALER so for it works. she put me on SINGULAR10mg for night time because everytime I would lay down I would either start coughing or feel a tightness in my chest! haven't had to take the singular yet seams like the spray is working! if I did have emphysema would it show up on an x ray?I do have asthma,its in my family but never have I had so much trouble breathing as i have had in the last momth. I think this is a wonderful place to come and get HOPE AND COMFORT! THANKS SOOOOO VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU! will keep in touch! hugs to all!

That's great news, linda50. My diagnosis of emphysema was determined from x-rays. When there are respiratory problems, weather tends to worsen the problems - anything COPDish. It's been humid here for the past week. Ugh! You need to be aware and adjust accordingly. Then there's also other things like household sprays, rotten food (smile), clothes detergent, on and on.. anyway there's stuff that aggravates us so look around to see if something new entered into your environment. Just thought of something else - those magnificent spring flowers!!