Hello, new here. My profile gives quite a detailed back story. I am active, 60, like hiking, perceived myself as having mild occasional asthma, typically associated with acid reflux. Recently had bad virus and chest infection. Okay after antibiotics but asked GP if a specialist could look at me as worried about a test 6 yrs ago that said I might have COPD. So currently seeing a consultant and he a v experienced technician (physiologist) to do spirometry etc. That was 60% of predicted on the forced 1 sec exhalation. This scared me but he was quite upbeat saying he thinks it's airway remodelling in larger airways but deeper airways probably okay as my overall lung capacity was quite good and my usual symptoms were mild and I was active. I'm going for a CT scan soon and he said that would look at small airways so would know more but he was not concerned. I left upbeat but now still worried and what my life will become. Anyone else shed light on this from their own experience? Was looking forward to retiring and another 15 years of hiking or am I now stuffed?
Asthma or COPD?: Hello, new here. My... - Asthma Community ...
Asthma or COPD?
Not stuffed at all. All that these lung issues do is make you do things a bit differently.
I now amble in the river valleys rather than go over the big peaks. Four years ago I was leading over the Munros, now I lead the infirm up a nice lowland path.
In a way it is nice, I know most of the big hills. I do not know the lochs and the rivers.
So just adjust your life, and certainly do not worry about it
I am so grateful for this reply as I am feeling down and a bit confused. Yeah my holidays to date were tramping in the mountains to the most remote lochs to fish for trout and long distance walks with my wife (we did the Portuguese Camino in Sept last year). My fear is my dream of retiring to a life of such walks may be gone despite feeling pretty good at the moment. You are right though it may be relative. Your leading of lowland walks must be very rewarding and supportive of others. Appreciate your help and advice.
You could just think about seeing what comes when it comes. You have adjusted to many different things in your life and you can probably adjust to this as well. There is not likely to be anything really dreadful in your prognosis and, as the others point out, there are still a great many things you can do. Carpe Diem!
Many thanks for the supportive comments and wise words. Really appreciate it.
Carry on regardless! The purpose of any tests is to get the correct diagnosis and treatment so that any condition you might have is properly controlled. Different people have different symptoms from the same condition and are affected differently. For instance, I had no idea I had only 53% lung function because my only symptoms were incessant winter colds! I actually started looking round for a bungalow in case I couldn’t get up the stairs but, with treatment, nothing has changed significantly in 7 years, so house-hunting is on hold at the moment. So, if you feel OK now, any diagnosis won’t change that, and any treatment might actually improve things.
Many thanks for your reassurance and advice and really pleased with your outcomes.
Do you mind me asking what your lung test results were and if you had reversibility after an inhaler when doing the spirometry and what the outcome of ct scans were?
Sure. FEV1 is around 325 l/min, whereas the average for someone my age and height would be around 525. My FEV1/FVC is 53% because my lungs have inflated to compensate for the small airways obstruction; 17% of that is reversible, which is the asthma component - the rest is fixed.
All of this was a bit of a surprise when it was diagnosed 7 years ago because I didn’t feel breathless and had never had an asthma attack. I did, however, feel a bit light-headed after going to the gym, but just put that done to being unfit (I don’t go now so I can’t compare with 7 years ago). I get slightly tight-chested, but that is due to a combination of high pollen count (affecting the asthma) and not having done much exercise this year. My main problem is excessive lung mucous production from a condition called bronchiectasis, which is not well-understood and appears to be due to some idiopathic damage to my lower lungs.
Hope that helps.
Hi Hikingden. If they are not worried then I would think you haven’t got anything to worry about. It could be your asthma that has reduced your fev1. Did you take your blue inhaler and redo one of the tests? If not and presuming you hadn’t had any inhalers then I think that there is a strong possibility that asthma might be to blame.
No I did a reversibility test after a blue inhaler and there was no real difference. That's worrying as it suggests airway remodelling (which I think I understand what they meant) but they seemed to feel that overall lung capacity wasn't too bad (I think that was their point) and that maybe my deeper airways were okay. Due a CT scan to see. I am otherwise pretty active and enjoy hiking. It was a bad virus and chest infection episode that led me to the tests.
it’s really important for people who have diagnosed lung problems to keep exercising within their own safe limits.
So even if you are given a diagnosis you dont want to hear you mustn’t get that bungalow, give up and stop going out walking.
One major thing that stops me from getting worse is getting out there and walking, even if my uphills are slow and rather pathetic these days, and I don’t enjoy them - I always feel better afterwards for doing it.
So don’t worry about what might be in the future, carry on doing what you can do for as long as you can do it, and take each day as it comes. 👍🏔️🧗🏼♂️
This feels like great advice. It's weird because until I had this bad virus/chest infection and went and checked up by getting tests, I mainly thought I was fine. We had been doing the Portugese Camino in Sept last year and had various hiking trips and pushing myself. Ironically we thought it would be good to get the tests to put my mind at rest, half thinking they would be better than they were! That said I suppose we can now better manage things. But I agree with you as it would be easy now to get paranoid and think I can't do things. I feel slightly scared but I need to push myself.
I will admit to having lost confidence about keeping up with others and overstretching myself if the day turns out to be a bad one and I’m not able to do what I’d hoped. So I try to recognise my own limits and not over-commit, preferring to achieve safely and happily.
It is all too possible to overdo it and pay the price with a flare-up or exacerbation as a result, it’s a balance that comes with experience.
I do hope that your news is better than you anticipate. With good medication and looking after yourself you will still enjoy your walking trips, even if with a different approach. 👍
not stuffed at all - just need to accept a few minor adjustments to length, intensity etc of activities- everyone else has to Gus to age. Basic fitness will keep you at a higher level than most. I have had moderate to severe asthma since birth and am now 65 - started to XC ski at 30 and am achieving better times now than 20 years ago / just pace myself and improved technique
Hi keep doing what you like no need to change... Your lungs will tell you whether you doing too much. Many more hiking years for you, hit the smaller hills in your 80s. Best of luck. Always think positive it will get you a long way. My motto "always someone worse out there" . 🥾⛰️
Hi, you're doing the right thing in keeping up the exercise Hikingfan. It's always good to get some good clean air through the tubes and most members here will advocate all the exercise one can cope with. Personally, I've been loads better since moving from green leafy Wimbledon to Gloucestershire and taking lots of extra vitamins to keep my immune system working well. I too had a very nasty virus from Christmas, more or less in bed for 3 weeks and it knocked me for six energy-wise so it's little & often at the moment. It's advisable to to keep vaccinations up to date including pneumonia (imo having had it 5 times). Avoid catching bugs, it's fortunate that we've practiced hand hygiene & mask wearing.
I cannot answer your question of Asthma or COPD? that’s up to your medics however it's great that you'll have a CT scan in the near future.
Best wishes, Peege (Asthma & Small Airways Disease, using prescribed preventer & occasionally rescue inhaler plus a mucolytic)
An update. I've had my CT scan and alongside the tests they've decided I don't have copd. They think asthma with some damage to upper airways muscles that have made them less flexible. At the same time I'm much better and on an inhaler. Have been out walking in the hills again and doing really well. Due to be up in Scotland next week. They're encouraging as much as exercise as possible. Feeling much more upbeat.
Asthma/mucus
Obstructive asthma or Asthma - COPD overlap - confused 
Asthma or COPD after 7 years
Asthma and COPD
Asthma or COPD?
