Stage 3 Emphysmea

[Lyn1955]

Hi all I was to.d in nov2016 after a X-ray I had Emphysmea had all breathing tests done was never told results I have never smoked in my life. I went to see a nurse on tue this week and she said I was stage 3 . How can it get that bad in a short time or have I had this for longer and not known.

[stone-UK]

Hi

COPD is not always caused by smoking, any toxic fumes or second hand smoke could be the cause.

You may have Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

[Lyn1955 in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you stone -uk how do I find out if I have this or not ..

[stone-UK in reply to Lyn1955]

Hi

How is alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency diagnosed?

A simple blood test can diagnose A1AT deficiency. Levels of A1AT in the blood will be low in people with A1AT deficiency.

A phenotype blood test is usually suggested for people who are found to have low levels of A1AT. This can show which variation of the A1AT faulty gene a person has. It can therefore show how severely affected they are likely to be

Full article.

patient.info/health/alpha-1....

[Lyn1955 in reply to stone-UK]

Hi stone yk I have just read the article and I will be asking my doctor for the test thank you very much .

[O2Trees]

Some people also have a genetic predisposition to getting it Lyn.

[2greys]

I was first diagnosed stage 3 and I did not know. It is possible to have it, slowly getting worse without knowing. I suppose it's a bit like your eyes slowly getting worse and it's so slow you don't notice it until it is really bad.

[Hidden in reply to 2greys]

I think if it worsens very slowly you adapt your life to it without thinking much about it don't you? I had a bad cough for many years and I didn't really notice when it became terrible until people pointed it out. x

[skischool]

Lynn.Everybody so far has given you very relevant ,experience based advise with regard to COPD and its progression,i personally dislike the staging of COPD and it should not be used by nursing staff who are not really qualified to evaluate your present state of health and only your consultant can explain where you are with your condition.You are at whatever stage you allow your body to become,there are people out there doing incredibly hard challenges classed as stage 4 and end stage that others with full health could not achieve.The past is past however it materialised the future is your own to control.keep smiling..................skisxx

[carole195 in reply to skischool]

Lovely, sensible, logical reply 😊

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Good advice skis. Not everyone gets to see a consultant though, especially at the earlier stages, so have to make do with nursing staff. Personally I like to know my lung function and stage.

[Lyn1955 in reply to Hidden]

I have not seen a consultant yet only my doc . rep nurse and surgery nurse .thanks for reply

[mellyme in reply to skischool]

Magical! You are the bomb! Well said.