Gives me and others hope.

[1968]

One should keep in mind that smoking is the main cause for Bullous emphysema.

An individual who smokes will be instructed to quit immediately after they are diagnosed with Bullous emphysema. The best treatment plan might not help at all if a person still smokes. If an individual quits smoking immediately they will usually have a higher life expectancy than people who continue to smoke. Although Bullous emphysema is not curable, an individual in the early stages of it might be able to live comfortably. In fact, a person who is in the early stages of Bullous emphysema who quits smoking could have the same life expectancy as any other person.

Quit smoking is the first step I did 4 years ago this March.

David1968

[Hidden]

Um.. what is Bullous emphysema? x

[megannell in reply to Hidden]

wisegeekhealth.com/what-is-...

" Cough, I just woke up and went to make myself a cuppa tea as I cant sleep, and saw this very same post as you. so I looked it up and as you can see I have added the link for you to read. Hoping your doing okay...Megan "

[O2Trees in reply to megannell]

Useful Megan, thanks. Im still not clear though at what point the diagnosis 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

A question for the consultant in the spring! Bit too much for so early in the a.m. Greetings to you and Cough for a good weekend

And big congrats on quitting when you did David

[Hidden in reply to megannell]

Oh thanks Megan. I'm ok thanks you? x

[Toci]

I'm not sure I would rely on 'wisegeek'. It is a generalisation to say "Most people with bullous emphysema experience ....coughing up phlegm, and centralized pain in their chests" as many people, even at a latter stage of their disease (including me) have neither. And the statement that treatment includes "taking antibiotics to control swelling" is not quite accurate either.

O2Trees gives a much better description.