Linda, I think you came to the right place for insights into COPD. I am 75 and have moderate stage COPD. I had lots of questions when I came here and found very caring support. I also did research into COPD on my own. Johns Hopkins White Paper 2014, on Lung Disorders taught me a lot and I like WebMD on the internet but there are lots of other sources too. If you look at them you might compile your own list of questions for the Dr. Sad to say but where I live the Pulmonologist has a well deserved poor reputation but my Cardiologist has helped a great deal. I just went with the best Dr I could find.

I had a big case of Fear of the Unknown before I learned all that I could. The resources on this board have been tremendous. You have lots of company since over 12 million have COPD in this country alone and clinical trials are going on all of the time.

Since smoking is the biggest risk factor, I hope you don't smoke or are exposed to it. We don't judge those who do however. It's a support group, not a judge and jury.

Keep us updated if you would and wishing you the best of luck. A lot of people have held steady for very long periods of time with COPD and ended up dying of something else later on.

I like a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: " Face the fears you have and the death of fear will be certain. " Maybe it doesn't always work but it works for me the vast majority of the time.

Big Hugs, Cindy

"What's wrong with me?" You could be in COPD information overload, as you delay learning about you" That's my 2 cents.

There's also a lot I don't understand about COPD, and there's a lot more I don't need to knnow or understand. I have what I need. I need proper medical attention (hint!) and to pull my "weight" a day at a time. I try to do what I need to do each day; and somedays I do a little more. This group's information is sufficient for me. Once I got the foundation from my MD's the daily strength is from this group.

"What is the worse that can happen?" Finding out about you? I bet you're making yourself "sicker", more anxious by not getting this done.

Linda, the longer you hesitate about going to a specialist, the more advanced your disease could be.

Start getting proper tests, proper treatment, and quit worrying about numbers and stages.

You can slow this down or speed it up, the choice is yours. Everyone is different, and this disease affects everyone different, so please do not judge your illness by someone else's numbers.

You are young, probably relatively healthy, and with proper diet, exercise, meds, can be around for a long time. You may have to change a few things, but honey unless you get up off your ----and get it started, nothing will happen.

NOW GO.....
Hugs
BJ

Linda -
Knowledge is power. Often we read about a persons given situation and travails because of COPD. Many of add our experience, strength and hope to help them.
But nothing can be done if you don't know where you are. If whoever told you that you have COPD they should have the test results and x-rays that will give you the information you need to make decisions instead of spinning in place. If they don't have those things, then anything they say is conjecture.
Tis easiest to get the information from a professional that knows what they are doing. Make or get a list of questions you want answered and make the appointment. We're here to help where we can...

Hugs,
Dennis

go to the specialist. improper care caused me to progress very rapidly in a short time. since i have gotten proper care, i am still progressing, but at a much slower/normal rate.
the lung function i lost from improper care i can never get back.
but with proper care i can be around to enjoy life longer.

btw; the internet can be a wealth of information; it can also scare me to death!

I think you're scared because a diagnosis of COPD is scary. One foot in front of the other, one day at a time. My pulmonologist has been a big help to me. He is wonderful. His nurse is fantastic. Go and see what you think of yours. At least the initial scare of seeing him/her will then be over and you can move to the next step. Hugs. And Welcome.

Hi Linda50, I'm new to this board as well as COPD...got dx'd with "mild emphysema" early this month and I'm still straddling the fence.
Everyone here has given great advice and support and I hope it will give at least you the courage to follow through.

I know all that they've said is true as well as important, right now my fear is outweighing my common sense:(:(

Hope things come together for you soon!!!!

mc

In the words of the late and great James Brown....GET UP OFF-A THAT THANG! Seriously, your lung ailment is not going to cure itself so time to pick up the phone, call a pulmonologist and make an appointment. I did not do my homework with the first pulmonologist I saw and he was a horror show, from strutting around like a peacock, wagging his finger in my face, telling me what I MUST do and stinking of cheap cologne (just what every patient with compromised breathing needs.....rolling eyes) I did the smart thing and looked up pulmonologists in my area and also looked up their credentials and patient ratings. Needless to say, I fired the jerk and found a wonderful, caring and compassionate pulmonologist who has a wicked sense of humor. I follow her advice, take the prescribed meds, did the big breathing test (was not as bad as I thought) and actually look forward to my appts. I breathe better, I feel better, I look better, my quality of life has improved. I know I will always have COPD but at least I know how to best treat my disease and get on with my life. When we fear the unknown we usually imagine worst case scenarios. When we learn our own truths it's usually a relief.

I hope by now, with all the support you've been given here, that you've taken the first steps to find out just what is what...

I did it yesterday, will be having a PFT next week, scared to death but, at least I'll know something more clearly.

Peace, courage and gentle hugs...
mc

Linda, first off welcome to the group. This is such a dynamic group of folks in a wide variety of stages of either COPD or Emphysema, or the loved ones. You will find a wealth of knowledge, and the folks to help explain it each step of the way. We will share our experiences, and answer whatever question you may have. And we are here for the long haul. So thanks for joining us. Now GET OFF YOUR BUTT and see the doctor, find out where you stand, There are no simple solutions but there are many ways to make it better for you. But you have to make that 1st step, and the earlier you do that, the better off it will be for you. Please take care, Bill

I know getting the "actual diagnosis" can be a scary thing, but until you take those first steps to the doctor's office, you will paralyze yourself with fear. Ignoring this isn't going to make it any better. As a matter of fact you could lose lung function faster by doing nothing & you never get it back. Go to the doctors, follow his instructions & come back here for support.