Hi, I'm new......

[megshafer]

Hello, My name is Meg...I have been diagnosed last October with mild emphysematous changes on a ct scan. AND, I must admit, I'm quite frightened. I have not smoke for 2 plus years. I am a vegetarian....just don't like meat...never did. I adore dogs and cats...animals! Hope everyone had a Happy Christmas...

[Jessy11]

A very warm welcome to you Meg. Please join in & chat to us, we're a friendly bunch. You'll get a mix of subjects here, some serious, others amusing. Most of us like cats & dogs, you'll see from the posts.

Anyway, welcome to our forum 💐

[peege]

Hi Meg, welcome to the forum.

You've come to the right place to learn about COPD and keep as well as possible for as long as possible. You can stay mild if you work at it.

Whatever you do don't google American sites - they're all doom and gloom, only here and NHS ones in UK - if this is where you live. I don't know about Oz or New Zealand sites.

Folks with emphesyma/COPD will be along soon to offer support. In the meantime there's loads of information here on the British Lung Foundation.

All the best to you. Peege

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hello Meg welcome to the site,it's always nice to meet someone new. Please try not to worry,we all know how you feel,we've all been there. Please join in and chat we are friendly and love a laugh. Love Berny xx 😊

[mrsmummy]

Hello and welcome Meg.

[soulsaver]

Hi Meg & welcome. What symptoms made them refer you for CT scan?

Ed

[megshafer in reply to soulsaver]

Completely a fluke...to check my gallbladder....it's fine. They say the CT scan showed mild emphysematous changes. I am scared to death. I can't help but wonder why there is no cure. I researched emphysema and COPD...you can go back to the the 13 hundreds, now that's along time, and newer diseases have been cured...not that that isn't a good thing...I'm just amazed. The only symptoms I have is strong smells bother me...but they always have since I was a child....sneezing, etc. I don't cough...I do get breathless after running 14 steps on the 5th time.... and my oxygen level is from 98 to 92....during the step running...average is 96...sorry such a long reply. My GP doesn't seem to think it's serious..and I'm losing my mind. I'm sorry I went on and on.

Meg ☺

[y_not in reply to megshafer]

OMG! "Run"?? I'd forgotten what that was (hehe), Stopped smoking, eating well and with good O2 levels - what's to worry about?

You are doing all the right things to ensure that the "Mild" diagnosis remains that way for many, many years to come.

Keep on doing what you are doing and you'll be fine!

[Shezzabeanz in reply to megshafer]

Honey please stop stressing. At least they found it early. I'm only a new diagnosis but I can hardly breath so please stop worrying. 👌🏽

[JP1954 in reply to megshafer]

Hi Meg, you are not losing your mind. I was at that stage a year ago when my husband was diagnosed with very mild copd on CT scan. Had know idea whatsoever what to do as they leave you in limbo.

This site is really wonderful with knowledgeable people who have lived with the diagnosis for many years.

I am listing a number of to dos which I hope will help.

1. Don't ever smoke again - it progresses the copd faster than anything. Once you have stopped smoking your fev1 decline returns to "normal" ( and keep away from people who do).

2. Exercise, it keeps the muscles working.

3. Good food and diet.

4. Keep away from people with colds - difficult I know but use those hand sanitation wipes as well.

5. Make sure you get your flu jab yearly and have had your pneumonia jab.

6. Take your meds/inhalers and go to docs if you become unwell with chest infection.

And please don't worry as long as you cover the above.

As y_not says below you are at a good platform to keep it there.

Best regards

JP

[y_not in reply to megshafer]

One other thought (sorry if it sounds morbid) very, very few people with COPD will die because of COPD - it's something we live with rather than die because of - hope that makes sense and eases your concerns

[sassy59]

Welcome to you Meg and hope you enjoy being a member of HU. Xxxxx

[Shezzabeanz]

Hi meg. It's all new to me too. I go for my first test next week. Do you need another follow up test ? Warm regards.

[Jaynair]

Hello and welcome to the site Meg I hope coming here and chatting to others will help you to feel less frightened x

[Moosemoose]

Hi Meg - I too, have just been told recently that I have emphysematous changes in my lung being an ex smoker but my locum GP went on to say that I have COPD even though I have not had a spriometry test. I worried myself sick and could only see my future self relying on oxygen to get me through the day. Thanks to this site, I got a lot of good advice so you have come to the right place. I live a very healthy active life and after speaking to lots of people about this - I find that a lot of smokers/ex smokers do have changes but that if we look after ourselves it does not mean we will get worse quickly. I see this as a wake up call so I am doing all I can to remain healthy. One gentleman on here, Swerv gave me excellent advice re: CBD/CO which I have fully embraced - (Thanks Swerv if you are reading this) I do feel it has helped a lot. Anyway, keep your chin up Meg - this is not going to bite you on the bum majorly fast - look after your health and that will slow things up.

[Dedalus]

Hello and welcome megshafer - ask to be referred to pulmonary rehab - apart from great lung exercises it's a good way to learn more about COPD in general and meet others with same condition - don't be frightened - lots of ways to help yourself. This site is great source of information, inspiration, humour and support.

[mmzetor]

hi meg welcome to the group

[Hidden]

HelloMeg, I have moderate COPD along with asthma/ chronic bronchitis/. Osteoporosis( no one in my family has that's so my doctor said it's probably from me using that blue disk,call Advair for COPD along with taking Nexium for acid reflux and last of all I have a stent placed in my heart valve. When when the doctor first diagnosed me with COPD along with these other ailments I was stressed to the gill, but I was raised in the church and because of this I simply went back to church and pray asking God to give me peace of mind that was in 20004 , and I thank God that I'm still not on oxygen as of yet, after viewing my lungs under and Cat Scan and a x-ray my doctor said the way my lungs look all scarred up it's a wonder I'm not on oxygen, like I said I'm thankful and I exercise as much as possible keeping it moving witha positive mind. I don't smoke and I eat very healthy that's all I could do,why worry it doesn't make a difference only to make things worse... I'm telling you all of this just to say go with the flow things will work out alright for you, my doctor didn't tell me anything about COPD I've learned what to do on my own actually I went to the library and purchased books on COPD, now I go on the internet and joined this support group... I wish you well and God bless

[Pam1952]

Hello Meg, and welcome. I'm relatively new to the site but find it invaluable. As you've already found out, there's lots of lovely people on here who are always available to give advice and support. Please don't worry and try to forget what you've read on the Internet. I have emphysema, I'm 64, work full-time, am active and enjoying life. The condition can be managed with a few lifestyle changes.

Hope to hear more from you soon, and glad to hear you're an animal lover. I've got two dogs and two cats, but like yourself, am fond of all animals.

Take care, and I hope that you have a great New Year.

Pam XXX

[megshafer]

You all are so welcoming and kind...I am not as frightened...I think that will be with me for awhile...You kind and generous people were the only people who explained anything to me....I just Googled....and thought...the worst....

Blessings to you all,

Meg xx

[punkyb]

Welcome! You git good answers below....be chill you be ok....

[JamesinDublin]

Welcome to the forum Meg, I new here myself. Good communities and info...help and be helped, give and take advice....all good.

[megshafer]

Thank you JamesinDublin, I learn alot here! I was scared out of my wits! The people here are so kind and friendly.

Meg