empysema and copd support group I mean...sorry my writting is not so good tonight.

Hugs to you. Take care.

Thanks much and hugs to you

So glad you let us know. Don't be too discouraged. Knowing is way better than "head in the sand". So sorry you have multiple issues to deal with, but many of us are right there with you.

My MIL has emphysema. She was diagnosed 1 year after she quit smoking too. That was 16 years ago. She's careful about shopping during the holidays and is a cart handle wiper year round. She's only been sick with cold a few times in that 16 years, once was severe with IV antibiotics. Because she knows she has it, all colds are treated aggressively. She's now around 75 yrs old (can't remember exactly, but probably more like 76). In the last year or two, she gets winded and doesn't walk malls or the neighborhood, but she gets around, just with catch up breathing.
Sorry if post about MIL isn't of interest - it might not be what you want to read. I always look for comforting positive stories to compare myself too - assuming you are the same isn't really smart of me.

*prayers of healing said for you*

oh you just cant imagine how much you lifted my spirits, for one, that you cared enough to share what you know about this(I dont know alot yet) and second, Im glad you shared what your MIL story, that gives me hope...I would love to live to my 80s. Im not quite sure how this is gonna work out with my R.A....auto immune disorder doesnt sound like the two will work together. twice as hard with illness. Im not even sure how they can treat my R.A. now, as everything brings your immune down..Ill find that out wwhen I see Rheumy next month. thanks so much bcatz. take care. Tina

Tina, thank you for sharing with us. I smoked for a long time but I quit 7 years ago and (knock on wood) so far have developed no problems. I am so glad that you were able to quit smoking and with modern medicine there is every reason to expect to see your 80's. You now know what the culprit is and can treat it.

Prayers and lots of hugs going out to you today.

Thanks for those words of encouragement..thanks for the prayers and blessings to you !

Emphysema isn't a death sentence. I've got some - used to be a smoker - and sometimes it means I got to take it easier than other times, but check out your oxygen saturation. Your pulmonory doc probably already did - you use a little think that goes on the end of your finger. If yoou ar below say about 90%, that's getting bad, but figure 95% is a good average. I got mine done this morning and it was 98%.

Personally, I don't buy your doctors reasoning that emphysema caused infection and pneumonia.. Coughing, sure, and oxygen in your blood (it's called oxygen exchange), sure. I'm no doctor, so don't take my word for it. I'm just sayin' what I'm thinkin'.

Good luck, Oscar.

I also have copd and I quit smoking 8 yrs ago..this past month I was put on an inhaler 2 puffs 2 x day.... It sure has helped... and my oxygen level has always been up at the 95-98 % level even before the inhaler..I was just short of breath at times...then it got really bad overnight...I am still not sure if it is from the smoking or the mtx.. I have been on the mtx for 8 yrs also and I did have pnuemonia once and bonchitis once...

Hope all goes well with you

Hi Tina,
Thanks for letting us know. I have been thinking about you and wondering how all the tests were going.
Can you get more information from your pulmonogist re whether you have slight emphasemia or exactly what degree yours is> The reason I ask is that I have slight emphasemia which has stayed at that level over the last two years. As bcatz said, it means treating any cold aggressively so that it doesn't lead into a chest infection.
I'll be keeping you in my thoughts,
Hugs