My consultant just informed me that I had 'EXTENSIVE' Emphysema. What does that mean - exactly?

[asatrout_1]

[Toci]

Extensive means covering a wide area. What your consultant meant by it in relation to your lungs, only he/she can explain.

[asatrout_1 in reply to Toci]

Hi Toci, Thanks for prompt response. I understand the meaning of extensive but I wondered if it had a more medical meaning....or was a term known to people with Emphysema. asatrout_1

[Louisiana]

Also you would learn a lot from the nurses at the PR clinic....I have emphysema and had loads of questions ...not the one you are asking though, but the clinic would really help you.

[asatrout_1 in reply to Louisiana]

Thanks Louisiana, Again I'm showing my complete ignorance.....but, hope you don't mind my asking - where/what is 'the Clinic'? asatrout_1

[Hidden in reply to asatrout_1]

webmd.com/lung/copd/pulmona... if you ring the blf up 10 am thay will explain it and ask your doctor to refer you, blf number is 03000 030 555,xxx

[Hidden in reply to asatrout_1]

sorry click on the link it explains rehab xxx

[asatrout_1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks twiceshy3, I don't live in UK so I guess it's not surprising that most contributors would just make that very natural assumption. I was not sure whether The Clinic was, in fact, just a clinic that had branches nationally. Thanks for help and kindness - just trying to find my way around this news! asatrout_1

[Hidden in reply to asatrout_1]

stay with us and learn lots more, all the best ,any question please ask and members will help to there best,xxx

[Louisiana in reply to asatrout_1]

That would be a natural assumption if you are now aware of the set-up. The "clinic" is Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service which happens all over the UK and usually the GP puts your name down on the waiting list....a group of nurses and, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, etc. with specialist training and experience in looking after people with respiratory disease spend two hours once a week over 8 weeks to teach you to improve your symptoms of breathlessness ....and go through exercises, talks on breathing control, lungs, inhaerls, managing bad days eating well, etc., etc., etc...don't know what country you live in, but perhaps you could talk about this with your medical team and who knows, they might even consider setting it up over there I found the whole experiences sosososo helpful

[Stephend]

Morning don't worry I have it a ct scan will show holes in the lungs lots of holes I was told this at the age of 46 sorry

[Louisiana]

"now" should read "not" ! oops

[asatrout_1]

....'Go the Back of the Class, Louisiana - errors will NOT be tolerated!' Ha, Ha. Thanks again for all your help/contact. Sounds like a great service. Maybe there is one, I'll look into it immediately. asatrout_1

[Louisiana]

Good luck wherever you are!

[Hidden]

Hi asatrout...think it could be the same type of as mine...consultant diagnosed panlobular emphysema, and in my opinion made worse by being on life support twice in ICU. At an appointment with con much later I asked if true that being on a ventilator for almost two weeks , (this was my second experience following two severe asthma attacks) could blows holes in the lungs. ' Um..ah, well, that was more likely up until approx15 years ago- improvements have been made since then'

Yeah, right! Gone rapidly downhill ever since.

Was given to understand that I wouldn't be considered suitable for these coils that some people are getting though I shall not give up on that topic yet awhile.

[FarmerD]

I have severe emphysema,as far as I know there is no specific "extensive" medical term so I assume your doctor meant severe.It would make sense to ask them to clarify.Which country you in? We have most nationalities on this site I think.Good luck.D.

[termite]

Extensive damage to your lungs ... go on the NHS choices web site and look up your condition, it has some good information.