Health check.

[1968]

Evening everyone.

Well I took your advice and went to my doctors to see about the bits of blood when I cough, I actually seen the main man, great doctor, he is convinced I was born with this bullous emphysema and it was only picked up when I stopped smoking.

He was very impressed with my check up, no concerns raised, still no medication required and general health doing very well. He sent me for a chest xray, I went there today and got it done. I should get the results in a week.

David1968

[Hidden]

Good luck with that David x

[O2Trees]

Glad your health check has gone so well David.

Can you shed any light on my question on your other post? Cheers,

[1968 in reply to O2Trees]

Hi what questions do you have for me, I'd can't find the other post.

David 1968

[O2Trees in reply to 1968]

I posted the following on your post "Gives Me and Others Hope"

"Im still not clear though at what point the diagnosis (bullous emphysema) starts, i.e. I have 'large bullae' (defined as having a diameter of 1 cm or more) in my left lower lobe as shown in my CT scan around 2004, but have never been told i have bullous emphysema. I don't have most of the symptoms described in your link either.

My understanding of emphysema in general is that in losing their elasticity the walls of the alveoli break down making larger air sacs than normal and so less surface area for gas exchange.

So i suppose I'm wondering whether getting this diagnosis is just a matter of degree, i.e. the size of the bullae, maybe combined with the symptoms described "

So my question is: does anyone who has large (1cm) or larger bullae automatically have a diagnosis of bullous emphysema?

[1968 in reply to O2Trees]

I had a chest xray in 2010. and it showed emphysema, doctor said I had bullous emphysema, 2012 I had a Ct scan and it identified a lot of bullous in the top right lung and around the side, I have some in the top left lung as well, I had a meeting with a lung specialist in 2013 who showed me the 3d Ct scan images, didn't know what I was looking at lol, she said cause in fit and generally healthy with a good Fev1 I should be OK.

[O2Trees in reply to 1968]

Glad to hear it David. Im still confused as to whether mine is bullous emphysema or just emphysema with a few bullae! I shall ask the consultant when i see him in the spring.

[helingmic]

Hi David, I'm so glad you have a really great, helping doctor.The bulla mustn't be too big that the doctor is pleased with it. Let's check your X-ray. Can you do a little exercise?Talk to your excellent doctor about Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Here is what I read here: (The extract follows the reference:

thoracic.org/clinical/copd-...

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of education and exercise classes that teaches you about your lungs, how to exercise and how to do activities with less shortness of breath, and how to "live" better with your lung condition.

How will pulmonary rehabilitation help me?

By attending education classes, you will learn many things about your lungs. For example, the following topics will be discussed: what is wrong with your lungs, what your medicines do, when to call your healthcare provider and how to keep from being hospitalized. During group meetings, you will meet others with breathing problems. This gives you time to share concerns and approaches to living with breathing problems.

The exercise classes will help you to be more active with less shortness of breath. Usually, you will be exercising both your arms and legs. The exercise classes will help you feel better and become stronger by helping you get into better shape.

I have and others have enrolled on this and found it really beneficial.

I hope you can adapt this to your needs.

[1968 in reply to helingmic]

Hi and thank for the link, very interesting. I was diagnosed by chance in 2010, a Ct scan in 2012 identified I have a lot of bullous emphysema on the top right lung and have some in the top left lung. I exercise twice a day, stopped