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...
Hello,
My name is Daniel and last week I was getting a cortisone injection for arthritis. The Doctor was checking my heart and lungs and mentioned that i had a little emphysema. He continued with the rest of the procedure like he had not said anything really important. Of course my heart rate went through the roof and its been pounding ever since. I set up an appointment to talk to a doctor about this next week. To say the least, I'm scared to death. My thoughts about this go on and on. I've done some reading and most things i see point to a 2 - 5 year lifespan. I have seen better from English blogs. I need to talk to someone about this. I haven't told my Mother or Brother, but i have talked to my sons who both live with me. Thank god they are here.
My name is Daniel and last week I was getting a cortisone injection for arthritis. The Doctor was checking my heart and lungs and mentioned that i had a little emphysema. He continued with the rest of the procedure like he had not said anything really important. Of course my heart rate went through the roof and its been pounding ever since. I set up an appointment to talk to a doctor about this next week. To say the least, I'm scared to death. My thoughts about this go on and on. I've done some reading and most things i see point to a 2 - 5 year lifespan. I have seen better from English blogs. I need to talk to someone about this. I haven't told my Mother or Brother, but i have talked to my sons who both live with me. Thank god they are here.
Do yourself a favor and stop reading life span stuff. I don't know where they come up with those numbers. I know a lot of people (on copd forums) who have had a copd diagnosis for 25 years and they're still kickin'.
BTW, if we live long enough, we all get emphysema. It's called senile emphysema and even non-smokers get it. We all lose lung function as we age. All of us.
Seriously, stop worrying. Make an appointment to see your doctor and go from there. Definitely quit smoking. Quitting smoking is the #1 treatment for copd and the best health related decision you will ever make.
Susan
Howdy and welcome to a goo place. Confirmation of emphysema is usually done via x-ray and COPD severity diagnosed with a Pulmonary Function Test. A "little" emphysema would be mild with no impairment. See a pulmonologist, they can give you a more precise diagnosis.
Then you can take a gander around here and see that there are many of us that have been around for a few more than five years after being diagnosed with severe or end stage COPD. We are not statistics. We have a disease, it doesn't own us...
Hugs,
Dennis
do you smoke?
if so maybe he was one of those jerk doctors trying to scare you.
i'd personally find a new dr if he is that incompetent.
Thanks again to all of you. I think I might actually sleep tonight.
Daniel
I was so devastated you have no idea.
Stage from ONE to FOUR?There is more to life than that.
Smoking?I had to give up and I will be O fags one day.
Take care ,there is a lot more to learn and seek.After all if we do not
seek,we will never find.
I met people who stop smoking 10 years ago and got COPD a few months ago.
No regrets remember it is what it is,we can only change how brave
we are.
Hugs.
The first step (what led you to this site so soon? never crossed my mind!) is to take control of your mind, body, and soul. You'll be okay. Hopefully your next dr.s appointment will be enlightening.