How old is everyone?

[Deb1702]

Am I the youngest on here diagnosed with COPD? I feel robbed. I'm only 50 and quit smoking 13 years ago. Still need to undergo tests for firm diagnoses but GP thinks I'm heading that way. Devastated 😢😢😢 watched my Mother slowly die from this horrible disease.

[Mjteayly]

I'm 46 been in hospital 18 times this year I have sever asthma that they say it's boarder line COPD when do you get your results xxx

[Deb1702 in reply to Mjteayly]

Hi and thank you for replying. I'm sorry to hear your story. Keep fighting. You have youth on your side. XX

[sassy59]

Pete is 65 next month and diagnosed with sarcoidosis 25 years ago and COPD 6 years ago.

Good luck with your tests. Xxxx

[Bronagh2015]

I was diagnosed at 49 with mild COPD having had Adult Onset Asthma for 10 years and never smoked a cigarette in my life. Also have Lupus and a few other autoimmune conditions since I was 29.......great fun altogether!!

[Shona68]

Hi I'm 48 'I was diagnosed back in March turns out I'm stage 2 copd ,have hospital again in October hopefully get all the facts then . No sure when all this started thought I just had bad sinus trouble x

[Hidden]

Hi I'm 44 this year got diagnosed four yrs ago with alpha 1, I have severe emphasema, but I'm alive and appreciate every day, whatever ur diagnosis don't let it rule ur life, were all here to help if we can xx Sonia xx

[MD2016 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sonia, which Alpha1 are you? I am an MZ with stage 4 emphysema...I'm 47 found out in Dec.

[Hidden in reply to MD2016]

Hi md, I'm a ZZ 😥 My kids were all tested and are MZ's thank god, rather they had none but hey ho. I've got severe diffuse emphasema, I'm under professor stockley at the QE hospital for Alpha 1. Oh and nice to meet u 😊😊 xx Sonia xx

[mmzetor]

hi im 41 diagnosed when I was 36 im classed as severe emphysema

[Hidden]

Hi Deb welcome to the site. I am sorry about your mum, but you are not her and we are all different. You will probably be mild and if you look after yourself there is no reason why you can't have a happy and healthy long life. x

[aberdeenman]

I'm 21 but I feel like I'm 56 lol

[medow in reply to aberdeenman]

And look like your 19🤓

[Deb1702 in reply to medow]

I'm obviously not seeing the same as you 😜

[medow in reply to Deb1702]

😎🙃

[aberdeenman in reply to medow]

Aye in my dreams lol

[Nanny1086 in reply to aberdeenman]

I'm ringing my optition tomorrow,,

[1968]

I'm 48 and was diagnosed 6 years ago with stage 1 bullous emphysema, right lung nearly destroid with bullous and have some on top left lung, not on medication and very little symptoms. Keep up the fight and keep going.

[Deb1702]

Thanks everyone for your kind words & encouragement. I do work full time, married and have two daughters 17 & 18. So more than enough to keep me occupied. It's a big pill to swallow though and tends to consume my thoughts. I'll fight and fight and fight. I'm finding it very difficult to accept right now. I'm probably thinking about my Mum and the desperate plight she was in for the last 5 years of her life. It was painful to see and very distressing. I dread the thought of my family seeing me like that.

[wooo in reply to Deb1702]

Hi im 52 was diagnosed at 47 now have moderate emphysema.my mom died 4 years ago from COPD age 70

After watching her walk very slowly for years and breath like a fish ,eventually the flu got her after several weeks in critical care she passed away.

I have that image now in my mind and feel im not ready to leave the party just yet. I have teenage children and had to adjust my life because of COPD .I try to be rational in my thoughts telling myself its not terminal, however those images still remain.

When I go for my hospital visits there are patients on oxygen which reminds me of maybe what's to come.

I think counselling should be given when diagnosed as this can be a life changing dieses.

we can only hope that one day there will be a cure. Until then stay positive ,don't smoke eat healthy and exercise if you have it in you.

Enjoy each day love, laugh and live.

[Nanny1086 in reply to Deb1702]

Keep those thoughts of your mums illness at the back of your mind and think about the good times you shared before she was ill , , ,,,,medication has changed so much over the years , and with a positive mind and exersise you will do ok ,when I was 46 ,I was first diagnosed I had a picture in my mind of an old lady sitting in the corner attached ( as it was back then ) to an oxygen cylinder. I made a vow to myself that I would not be the face in that picture ,,,,,,now I'm aged 70,,,and with the help of our great NHS ,medication ,and pulmary rehab and a great family , along with positive thoughts, I'm still here going to the gym twice a week and doing upto 3klm on treadmill and 3 Klm on bike and 5klm on handbike ( can't do the rowing machine now as I have a prolapse bowel & bladder ) ,,,keep strong ,best wishes ,xx

[casper99 in reply to Nanny1086]

Nanny, your post says it all. xx

[O2Trees]

Hi Deb, I felt the same as you, never expected to get copd. Im 70, diagnosed moderate when I was 54. 10 a day smoker and quit when I was 40. Im severe now but still going strong. Eat a good diet, avoid pollutants and irritants to your lungs, and probably most important of all take lots of exercise and you should be fine for years to come.

[Deb1702 in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you so much for that. I salute you. Seems so unfair that we stopped smoking more than a decade ago and still get caught. Mind you, I was exposed to passive smoking from the age of 5 as I was raised in a pub when in those days everyone could smoke freely. Both of my parents also smoked. Had no chance really.

[O2Trees in reply to Deb1702]

Mine too, but that must have been a huge amount of smoke in a pub back then. I also did lots of building work and paint stripping without any mask breathing in toxic acid and fine wire wool particles, plus worked as a photographer in badly ventilated darkrooms. Accident waiting to happen.

Pace yourself to deal with tiredness but don't limit your hopes and dreams too much. The exercise will pay off - Ive just done a Nordic walking taster session today, full body workout just from walking. Boy, do I ache but I am pleased with myself. You take care x

[Hidden]

Hi deb 1702 I don't have COPD I have brittle asthma and my husband has Ipf. My son has 2 friends with COPD one was diagnosed at 36 and one recently at 43 and his is quite bad. My sister has it as well she is 63. I wish you well and hope you stay well for as long as possible. x

[velvet55]

Hello Deb

So sorry to read about your Mum, and l am not surprised that you are frightened.

But, if you are awaiting diagnosis, it will probably still be mild.

With the brilliant medications now available, keeping yourself fit and eating a healthy diet you will live to a ripe old age.

Don't believe all you read on Doctor Google.

Age is like Copd results....Just Numbers....it's how you feel and manage to live with this illness, that counts.

A positive mental attitude goes a long way in helping you cope.

I have been 19 and a bit for the last few decades , and will remain that age , hopefully, for a few more decades..😂😂

Best wishes

Velvet x

[mmzetor in reply to velvet55]

for the last few should that be lots and lots

[Nanny1086 in reply to velvet55]

Great comments Velvet ,,,,🌻

[katieoxo60]

Well Deb1720, as you see from replies there are younger ones than yourself on the site. COPD does not respect ages. However most people don't get it till later life. Sorry it seems like quitting smoking did not work for you just like myself, but imagine hoiw bad it might be now if you carried on smoking. Keep up the healthy lifestyle and hopefully your COPD will stay stable for a long time to come. Take care x

[Nanny1086 in reply to katieoxo60]

Agree with everything you said Katie ,x🌼

[Donna1966]

Hi. I am 49 and just been diagnosed with bronchiectasis 2 weeks ago. It was a big shock and I cried for a week i am also having tests right now. I smoked for 30 years and gave up 6 years ago. There are lots of really nice people on here that will answer your questions and make you feel more better about things. Donna

[Robert_Helton]

57, diagnosed mild COPD 3 months ago. Stopped smoking straight away. Had a flare up from my wife's chest infection, very scared and found this forum. Not scared or worried now.

I also worked in textile mills and the dye house for years which with the 40+ years of smoking led to the GP visit last May. Spromiteriy, x-ray and CT scan cconfirm

[onamission]

I was 42 when diagnosed im still hear just a bit slower. Im a bit older thann Velvet im 21 😏

[Nanny1086 in reply to onamission]

Wow onamission ,,, your good for 21""

[onamission in reply to Nanny1086]

Thank you Nanny we try our best I might look old on the inside but I'm young at hart

[sibkev]

58 im an old git so dont give up ya gota fight it all the way no retreet no surrender

[Nanny1086 in reply to sibkev]

Totally agree

[2malinka]

Hi I was diagnosed officially around 1999. I am now 66 and quit smoking in 1992. Try not to worry. Just exercise as much as you can and try to eat healthily.

Take care

Malinka

[vere]

Hi I am 71 diagnosed with COPD when I retired. I have had asthma since I was 5 and have had many changes, thank goodness, in medications. The advancement in keeping me well has been remarkable alongside NHS care and me taking responsibility for my health. It takes a while to accept that you have COPD but when you do, you will see how manageable it can be.

Best wishes to you.

[Tony7roberts]

I'm 38 and was diagnosed 7 years ago

[Mandy6513]

Im 51 and was diagnosed with very severe COPD and Bronchiectasis when i was 48 and told i would need a double lung transplant ...

As you can see there are lots of young people on here but its the older group that amaze me when they talk about living with this condition for decades and still enjoy a rich happy life

[sickwick]

I'm 43 and was diagnosed last year, quit smoking 6 years ago after 21 years. I have moderate scarring throughout both lungs and all lobes. I have three young children - 12, 10, and 5 and I am thankful for this forum to help me not be so scared. Exercise has helped me to feel better too.

[Nanny1086]

Early stages at 46 for me ,,,,several addmissions to hospital over the years even a spell in ICU ,,,,but at age 70 I'm still here and doing ok ,keep positive and exersise ,, good luck with your tests ,I'm having lung function tests again on Tuesday ,x

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hello Deb1702 - I'm a 54 year old girl (who am I kidding!) who has COPD. This horrid illness generally is diagnosed anywhere from the early 50's. However I try to think along the lines of once correctly medicated and being able to accept your limitations,something else will most probably see us off. That still doesn't make it any easier at such a young age to get "on with it" and I'm sorry you've found yourself in this position. You have had a terrific response from all on here and that's good. There's so much to learn about COPD. Keep us up to date with your diagnosis won't you? Best regards.

[Nottobad]

Hi Deb you have had some realy good and helpful replies. I can't add much more. I am sorry to hear about your mum. I lost my mum to cancer 4 years ago. But we have all the good memories we will cherish. I am 58 and was dx with COPD in 2006. And recently been dx with psoriatic arthritis. But at the moment I am having more problems with the arthritis than my COPD. Take care xxxx

[Stephend]

Don't up set yourself I was 47 when told server asthma and emyphsame I have lots and lots of holes in my lungs don't worry it's hard to understand but as time goes by the more you look after your self more there is no point in worrying you can't change it stay safe stay stay alive

[Dmactds]

First of all..., there're different kinds of and intensities to this "horrible disease"; secondly, another way of looking at life itself is that from the minute we're born, we're all "slowly dying"..., of something, if only the process of living itself.

Don't be so hysterical about it all; it could always be worse...., don'cha know. There are folks who at the age of 82 have had some form of COPD for 35 years and are no worse off than someone of the same age who's simply 82 with no particular health problems.

Until you find out a bit more, you should just calm down and stop acting like you're at "death's door"..., you ain't.

Regards,

Duncan

[Deb1702 in reply to Dmactds]

Ok Duncan, I never suggested I was at "deaths door" AND I'm certainly not "hysterical". Who the hell do you think you are making those comments? I don't need your patronising comments nor do I need to be told to calm down. I ask how old people are, I didn't ask for your opinions on how I'm feeling. Go away you nasty piece of cocky work.

[velvet55]

Hi Debs

I have just read through all your replies, and you have had many encouraging ones.

I would like to add to My earlier one to you....it is perfectly normal to feel frightened and anxious by a diagnosis of lung disease.

If it gets overwhelming, chat to your GP and be honest about how it affecting you.

It's a very common problem and he should be able to help you deal with your fears, and anxiousness.

Good luck

xx

[Hidden in reply to velvet55]

Deb1702

What a nice reply velvet. I was diagnosed about two years ago with copd, I'm 76 . I think the very physical job I did for the 23 years before I retired stood me in good stead, but I am still very angry with myself for the 50 years of heavy smoking..

All the best to you Debs.

[Deb1702]

Thank you very much. I will ignore the previous comment 😉 I'm a positive person with positive thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to reply to me. XX

[Nanny1086]

Hi again ,,,,,just have to tell you this story ,, I was recently at a pulmary rehab class ,when I was having a little trouble getting off the rower ( due to the prolapse ) A kind Gentleman came over and said take my hand love I'll help you up ,,,,,, the nurse came over and whispered to me ,, He's not bad for a man of 92 is he ,,,,,, he took my place on the rower and pushed the level up to number 10.,,,, I was on level 4 . Hahaha xx

[OBWifey]

My husband is 28, it is difficult to get our heads round all the various information and many people seem not to take him/it seriously because he is so young!