Here's a link for Emphy: http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/emphysema-stages-and-prognosis
The physical abilities that we enjoy are not necessarily tied to these numbers...

Here is an article I found.

http://www.mysymbicort.com/copd/stages.aspx?

OK we got a race!!!!

Who can find the best or the most articles on Empy.....yeah yeah...

The winner folks are: BOTH of them!!!!

yeah

ok I am done...

Know you are scared. We have all been there. Hang in there and here with us. ALL of us help you if you need it. I also have stage 4 emphysema, was supposed to die few years ago. I'm still here, so take care of yourself and you will be around for awhile. Good luck.
juanita

I've been stage 4 for at least 6 years. Because of the steroids and from being sedentary I gained about 70. I have worked hard to lose the weight and I have been exercising regularly for 15 months, eating healthy and now I am more active and breathe better than I did 6 years ago.

I encourage you to fight it. There are many things you can do to help stop the progression of this disease.

Avoid air pollution. Avoid smokers, perfumes, airborne chemicals, ozone, pollen, mold and the like.

Eat healthy. Provide your body with all of the nutrients it need to run at it's full potential. Portion control. Be as light as you can be while still retaining your strength. The less excess baggage you carry around, the less oxygen you will need.

Exercise regularly. Work your lungs, heart and muscles. There is nothing unfeminine about losing flab and gaining muscle. Muscle requires less oxygen than fat. The stronger you are, the more you will be able to do and you will have a happier, more fulfilling life.

I got so bad that I needed my wife to tie my shoes for me. I got so depressed. Now I have my life back and can do most anything I could do 10 -15 years ago.

You can do things to help your condition. You can learn to get the most out of what you have.

So cheer up and get to work. ;^)

TomMix, thank you so much for your inspiring reply. It motivates me to take better care of myself.

Susan

I too have Stage 4. Don't get hung up with "Stage X" or measures such as "FEV1". I've seen people with lower FEV1's than me very active and those with double the FEV1 almost bed ridden. A lot of this is in your head. That is why it is important to listen to those on this site with really positive attitudes.

hang in there and take care of yourself.. Ihave been endstage for several years and I'm doing well and also have others health issues I'm dealing with.. I must say I feel pretty damn good for someone in my shape :) don't scare yourself my friend you'll be okay.the best of luck to you ...Janet

A year and a half ago my two pulmos dx'd me at stg 4. Though I was in shock. I doon regained my senses. (HAHA), I changed my environment by moving to a much cleaner area and I actually fired my 2 docs, who gave me the lousy dx and even lousier prognodsis.
Since then, ny test scores improved from 20% to 45% and as far as I'm concerned, I'm in remission!

I am stage 4+ also nearly 7 yrs still going although slow and can still get there. Don't give up !!! Lots of inspiration in here!

I can't tell you all how much I appreciate every word you have said. It is really so easy to get depressed and it feels soo good to be lucky enough to know every person on this site. I thank and love you all

I been reading posts here for a couple years but never posted. What are these different levels. All I have been told is my breathing is about 20 percent of what it should be.