How long have fellow members been stage 3?

[davis2334]

My father has stage 3 emphysema his last lung function test was 47% in June. I was wondering how many years some of the fellow members have been stage 3 or stage 4?

[onamission]

Hi David when I was diagnosed at the age of 42 I gave up smoking tried to exercise and my lung function stayed the same for 3 years however I got the flu my GP at the time did not give emergency meds and it took 2 weeks to get a appointment so my lungs really suffered.

I have now changed my GP I have new inhalers and things seem a bit better

[davis2334 in reply to onamission]

Thanks for replying to the post. The same happened to him. He was in the moderate category until he was hospitalized with pneumonia. His GP couldn't get him in for 4 days then sent him home saying he was ok just needed an antibiotic. The next day he had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance turned out had had pneumonia so bad he also had sepsis. After that he went downhill a little bit. Constantly week and tired now.

[Toci]

Hi, I was at stage 4 before being told I had COPD. That was 10 years ago. Since then I stopped smoking and increased my FEV1%, though it has dropped since. But I am only 7 or 8% behind the reading I had at the beginning.

[davis2334 in reply to Toci]

Thanks for the reply it gives hope.

[AlbertArbuthnot in reply to Toci]

Which was what?

[jimmyg23]

I was diagnosed with severe over 5years ago with fev34 it has dropped to 30 so hope to get quite a few years ahead of me yet just make take some exercise as I have treadmill and stationery bicycle at home which is ha?hey in winter when can't get out and look after yourself am sure he will have quite a few years ahead

[davis2334 in reply to jimmyg23]

Thanks for the reply. I've noticed in other posts that exercise is very important.

[Toci in reply to davis2334]

A reasonably good diet and as much exercise as is tolerable (provided he has no medical conditions that argue against it) will keep him going years longer. When I was first diagnosed I was cautioned about 'committing suicide by sofa', sitting about in other words. Ask about him going on a Pulmonary Rehab course. There he will learn more about exercise, supervised by physiotherapists, and they also have experts coming in to do talks - diet, benefits, breathing exercises, etc. which really help understanding. Oh, and stay away from smokey atmospheres, including traffic fumes as much as possible.

[Ergendl in reply to Toci]

Toci, your warning about suicide by sofa really helped me to get up off and out of mine.

[diesel12]

I was diagnosed in Feb and have 47% lung function but still working and going about although do get breathless sometimes. Exercise is very important. Use it or lose it

[twopars12]

I read about people going on about stage 3 or stage four or whatever stage their at but for me I can't be bothered with all that. I only know when I wake up, I'm still alive and that's the best stage. Instead of various stages people (the able bodied one's I mean) should be more concerned with doing a little bit of exercise each day, stop feeling sorry for themselves and thinking its all doom and gloom. I see wherever I go people of all ages and backgrounds who are a lot worse of than me and then I count myself lucky.

[jackdup]

There is also a possibility that his lung function may improve a bit over time after getting over the pneumonia as it can take the lungs a while to settle back down. It may not either but it definitely is a possibility.

[Tinkerbell48]

Hi Tinkerbell hear I have stage 4 Feb 1 29% have been this way for last few years. Depends on if u get sick or not

[rubyred777]

Hi davis, Was reading your posts. I see you haven't been on for 3 mos. Was wondering how your dad is doing. Did he quit smoking? Ruby🌹