Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group
Diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD), also known as interstitial lung disease, refers to a group of lung diseases, affecting the alveolar epithelium, pulmonary capillary endothelium, basement membrane, perivascular and perilymphatic tissues. The term DPLD is used to distinguish these diseases from obstructive airways diseases. Most types of DPLD involve fibrosis, but...
Since 1996 I was diagnosed with COPD and severe asthma I was in my twenties and just starting working in the medical field. I had to quit working because my illness prevented me from doing my job and was a patient more than I was the nurse taking care of the patient. In 2001 was put on oxygen I was on prednisone and on many other inhalers for the last year I have been in the hospital more and more and have been put on 3 liters of oxygen each time I go into the hospital it gets worse. I just got out a few days ago and still very ill. I feel like I have lost control over my life I'm scared that I don't have that much more time left because of this horrible disease and I hate it. I'm only 41 and can't do anything that people my age or older do. How does someone cope with this disease? I know I'm probably rambling on but just frustrated. Any suggestions??
You are somewhat young for having a COPD. As for the Asthma, it's a diagnosis that's pretty freely applied, sometimes without proof. I would say that would be the least of your problems since it's in most cases manageable.
I don't know for how long you were a smoker, but unless you were for many years, it could be something else. I know several people who are former COPD patients who have had lung transplants. Most of them smoked for 30-40 years before developing the disease. Of course, everyone is different so you can't take this as rule of thumb.
I was misdiagnosed with asthma for several years by the same pulmonologist. He treated me with a course of prednisone for a couple of weeks which seemed to clear it up until things really went bad in 2009, By then, all the pred in world wouldn't have helped. I was also put on Advair which was no help. My first symptoms were in 1998.
I was finally diagnosed with IPF by a pulmonologist at USF.
I had a bilateral lung transplant in 2011 at Tampa General.
Unless you've already been diagnosed by more than one pulmonologist, you might consider getting another opinion.
Even so, it might not hurt to see someone else if your uncomfortable with your diagnosis.
Good luck and God Bless