I've just been diagnosed with mild emphysema I'm 39 yr old woman, looking online everywhere says 5 life expectancy can anyone advise

[tracyball1]

[Hidden]

Morning Tracyball! NO THAT INFORMATION IS WRONG!!!!! , I care for my husband who has severe COPD and lung function of 25% having said that he still works full time, we still have a great life just a bit slower than most!

I had written this post a while ago - and thought it might be helpful......

There have been a number of posts from very frightened people having just been diagnosed. I have been answering posts and putting in my thoughts when I think they could help. But it occurred to me that the most worrying thing about COPD is the chronic element. Usually we go to the Doctor and get a tablet which makes a vast improvement or cure (simplified but you get the gist!) - COPD is a different beast altogether.

Each patient is different, each patient has to become an expert patient by listening to their bodies, learning what triggers an exacerbation or makes you more breathless or starts the coughing and to keep asking the doctors. If you don't feel right go back to the GP - our lovely doctor agrees that my husband and I know more about his illness than she does.

If you have been diagnosed please talk to the BLF helpline and ask questions of your gp and nurses. If you think the medicines aren't helping go back and ask them to be changed. Come on here and ask questions. If you don't feel well ask for advise. These would be my top tips:-

1) Stop smoking

2) Keep fit - ask for a referral to pulmonary rehab. from your doctor/nurse and keep asking!

3) Get a flu jab

4) Get a pneumonia jab

5) If you think you are starting with an infection - go to the doctors don't wait

6) Take your meds. If you are having side effects go back to the doctors, if they aren't working how you hoped - go back and ask. There are lots of meds available.

7) Listen to your own body and learn - you will know best

AND

8) ENJOY YOUR LIFE - things may change and alter but they would anyway - enjoy each day. The good memories will keep you going when things aren't as good!

Take good care, TAD xx

PS RIng the BLF helpline - click on the red balloon in the corner, they have some fantastic leaflets

[gordon50 in reply to Hidden]

Hi tadaw I have been diagnosed with sever emphysema with a pocket of air around my lungs not in my lungs as I have looked up but cant find a thing about it. But your right you learn your body more with this an its hard at first but im getting there it was christmas when I found out an im still coming to terms with it.

[Hidden in reply to gordon50]

It is so difficult Gordon - please ring the BLF helpline (click on the red balloon in the corner, they have lots of very useful information) Good Luck TAD xx

[music]

thats not true when i read that it scared me a bit there are loads of people on here in there 70s and 80s who was diagnosed with enphysema and have had it years so please try not to worry to much someone will advise you soon on here has you have come to the right place BLF website

[music]

there you go great info from tadaw

[Hidden]

Hi Tracey,what a great post from Tad,& absolutely correct.Not much more I could say realy.I am 69 now,& was first diagnosed early 40s,worked for many years after that,you still have a great life in front of you,so enjoy it! xxx

[Sohara]

As the others have said with mild emphysema you should live a very long life as long as you now take care & learn all you can to stop the progress of the disease TAD has given you great advice & you will learn more on this site. I have had bronchiectasis since a baby and I have had a full & active life for several decades.

I don't understand how google gives these horrific life expectancy figures.

[libby7827]

Hi tracyball, just to let you know I was first diagnosed at moderate 20 years ago and am still here! OK, I'm now in the very severe/end stage categpry but I didn't take heed and stop smoking until 5 years ago. If you still smoke, stop immediately and be kind to your body and there's very little reason why you should not slow the progression of this disease down dramatically and live a good life for many,many years, barely noticing. TAD knows what he's talking about. Try to read only British websites on the subject. There are no ways to turn the clock back but you can control your future. Best of luck tracy! Libby x

[junespoon]

Hi Tracyball I too have had emphysema for a while since about 1998, and I am still hear, It was a good job I didn't have acess to a pc then, as I would have been worried, but if you, read what others have said on here you will be getting good advice , in that respect I wish I had known about this site sooner, take care.

[Hidden]

Hi Tracy,

Please don't believe everything you read on line and a lot is wildly misleading.

You'll still be cutting the grass in your 80's

Take Care

Mucks

[Sohara]

Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO You are going to make us cut grass when we are 80!!!!!

I haven't cut grass EVER....

Mucks you are so CRUEL.....but I tell you what, if I had grass, and I could still cut it at 80, I would be one happy bunny

Now just tell me......how does one cut grass?

[butter-fly in reply to Sohara]

That's easy Sohara!

Get other half or lazy teenager, neighbour or some other unsuspecting soul to do it. Always looks good afterwards and makes you feel so much better! Sara x

[butter-fly]

Hi Tracyball, Some great positive advice from the replies above.

Lots of sites on the internet about emphysema are slyly trying to sell various cures to you to make money so better to stick to BLF sites or NHS ones until you can find other ones you can trust. Better still, listen to your doctor. Take care. Sara.

[wellman2]

Hi Tracy, can only say, listen to people on this web site and get in touch with BLF for correct information. I was diagonised in 1998 and am still here. I am a lot older than you, the younger you are, and follow a no smoking, good diet and exercise the more chance you have of not getting worse . All the best.

[Offcut]

Tads Advice is so sound.

Do not let it rule you but try to rule it to your best abilities. It all comes down to knowing your limits but that does not mean not pushing them from time to time and listen to what your body is saying to you. We all have good days and bad days PMA works for me even on my bad days. There is someone out there worse than you.

[doublecee]

UTTER RUBBISH, I've had Emphysema for over 25 yrs now and have 44.92% lung function. Now I just take things a little slower than I used to do. I have Pulmonary Rehab coming up soon and when that's finished (a 6 week course) I expect to go back to using the local gym.

Have no fear, you'll live more than long enough to enjoy your pension. It's up to you to listen to your medical advisors and take your medication as prescribed.

A little daily walk for 30 minutes will be a great help.

Good Luck.