PFTs came back

[millerag75]

Pfts came back and FEV1 is 63%. Down from somewhere in the 90s two years ago before i developed emphysema, since i didn't know until September i had smoked until then. Oh well can't give up fighting right?

[Toci]

NEVER give up fighting! 63 is not bad at all.

[Hidden]

Hi I agree with Toci 63% is very good compared to many on here. I do feel for you though as a drop in lung function is not good. Keep up the positive spirit and never ever give in to it. That doesn't mean you can't take things slower if you need to or do less than you want to but do keep fighting all the way. Hugs x

[millerag75 in reply to Hidden]

i love your username coughalot. i am just concerned about the sudden drop in two years, and im only 29!!! I was in the service (united states navy) for 6 years and was exposed to jet fuel and exhaust and paint fumes for years, on top of smoking for 13 years.

[Hidden in reply to millerag75]

Hi millerag thanks. I picked it coz I do coughalot I understand how you feel but didn't realise you were so young. The good news is that new treatments are coming in all the time and hopefully they will be able to , if not cure it, hold it at bay for a lot longer in the future.

I feel a bit guilty saying what I did now as I assumed you were one of us older folk so on that basis 63% is not bad. It is bad for someone so young, but don't forget lung function can go up as well as down, and it can vary a bit on any given day. The main thing is to keep yourself as well as possible and stay positive - you never know what's around the corner. Big hugs to you love. xx

[piping in reply to Hidden]

Is always a bit of a shock...believe me u are at a good point..your Fev IS AT A POINT WHERE YOU CAN DO A LOT TO IMPROVE .lOOK INTO REHAB COURSES WHICH ARE GREAT.i'M AT 27% AT 57 and only found out two years ago had emphysema then FEV was 50%...like most smokers just put down to being ''short of breath"...There is lots you can do..stay connected with this site..is a big help.

Cheers..Piping

[millerag75 in reply to Hidden]

yes you are absolutely right! hopefully they will advance in medicine and cure it! i wish people were more aware of copd bc i sure had heard of it but had no idea really about it. i thought it was curable. luckily we have tools to slow it down. thank you for your kind words xXxX

[millerag75 in reply to Hidden]

thanks so much!! this site really does help

[soulsaver]

Fev1 is measured in litres, so if it's 63% of predicted.. that's 63% of the predicted volume for a 29 year old... which would be much higher than that of a 60 year old, for example.

[millerag75 in reply to soulsaver]

right, i am aware that it is calculated by age, sex, height, etc. So its promising, just a bit surprising.

[soulsaver]

My point was made because someone was giving the impression that 63% for a oldie is not so bad but implied was terrible for a 29 yo. My point is that whilst it's not something you'd wish on anyone, it's no different because the predicted is much different. The best measure is FEV1/FVC and if > 75% (arguably) is 'within the normal range' for all - m/f/tall/short.

[millerag75]

well what i think they meant that they didn't realize i was so young and was just trying to be nice.