I'm new to the forum and so I thought I'd share my story.
I'm 44 and was diagnosed with mild COPDlast year in February after a routine work medical spirometry test showed my ratio of 63% and fev1 of 93% (I think that's what the figures are called) then after a course of steroids through my doctor who wanted to give me a diagnosis said I had a reading of 67% and 97%, I was told because there was only a slight reversal I would have to be diagnosed with COPD, I used to smoke but packed in straight away and moved from the job I was in (dusty environment) to a cleaner and more active role.
I've never had a chest infection, cough or suffered any sputum production.
I sometimes feel like my throat is a bit restricted for a couple of days then goes ok again, can someone tell me if I'm suffering some kind of symptom with this or could it be something else ? And also how fast this disease progresses ?
Thank you everyone in advance and nice to meet you all.
Written by
warbler
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Hello Warbler, Not sure about the throat restriction but apart from that you seem to be doing very well, it's so good you stopped smoking, that was the very best thing you could do and if you excercise and have a nutritious diet you could hope to stop further progress of your copd or at least slow it down! Huff x
I have also started doing a lot of walking as well, my Doc told me If I put all these in place the COPD shouldn't progress, I do worry though when my throat feels a little restricted, thanks again.
hi i have only been on here since the end of november. ask any question and some wil try to help. a lot of useful information so keep coming to have a look
Hello Warbler. I was diagnosed with very severe emphysema Stage 4 about 4 years ago. I have not got any worse since then and my " numbers " are the same now as they were then. I've had a couple of bad infections in those 4 years but they didn't change anything. So how fast this thing deteriorates I think is up to, in part, the individual. My main policy is to keep as active as you can.
Thank you, I have two children 7 and 5, my day goes from 6am till 9pm non stop with these two so I'm very active, you sound like your doing really well.
Nice to meet you.
Hi and welcome to the family
You are doing the right things, staying away from smoking and dusty places etc are all great but dont forget other people smoking around you needs to stop too.....as for the throat problems thats not something ive ever heard anyone mention and its not something ive ever had so perhaps your gp should take another look as not everything is down to the COPD
Thank you Mandy, I think I'll see the Dr next week, can't make my mind up if my breathing feels odd because of my throat or not.
Happy to be part of the family.
Hi warbler nice to meet you and welcome to the site. I was diagnosed with mild copd at 55 and was told by the doctor not to worry too much about it killing me as something else would get me first, such as old age! I know I am older than you but my level has changed very little in the past 6 years. Yours will too if you adopt a healthy lifestyle and you might even be able to improve your fev1 figure. x
Thank you, plenty of fruit and veg but I'm partial to the odd pizza....
I try my peak flow every now and again and it's never changed, in fact it does go higher than normal sometimes (not sure if this counts) you seem to be doing very well.
Yes Warbler, my throat feels constricted on occasions too, I've just been dx with mild/mod copd. It must be to do with the airways as the ventoiln inhaler clears it.
I've had my inhaler since last year and never used it until recently, I think it helped a little but never really solved the problem. ..
Hope your coping ok with this, such a lot to take in.
If i were in your position i would be going back for a chat....COPD can cover a wide variety of conditions but i can honestly say i have never heard of anyone showing symptoms of what your describing.
Although your gp wanted to give you a diagnoses im wondering if there was anything else he did that suggested COPD as you say your have never had any of the typical symptoms the majority of us have had like the coughs and chest infections etc
have you had any other investigating other than the spirometry test and did your gp investigate the throat problem
On a positive note from all the information ive been given the past few years...people can live a normal long happy life without to many problems when its mild COPD and you look after yourself x
Welcome to the site. I have only been a member since Nov. Myself. I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned from these caring knowledgeable people. They will truly become family to you. You will laugh at many stories on here as we have fun posts, jokes and many different topics.
You can ask any questions you have and many members will be there with answers. I myself, have moderate copd.
I can't help you with the throart restriction. Wondering is your fev1 63% or 97%. ? Look forward to getting to know you.
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