Pure emphysema

[chg654]

Male 49 years old . Just been diagnosed with pure emphysema. I am an ex-smoker, so I knew the risks. However I am having a hard time understanding the PFT report. FEV1 107%pred, FEV1/IVC 98%pred, FEV1/FVC 103%pred, PEF 110%, TLC 114% BUT...

Residual value: RV 210%pred and RV/TLC 171%.

So even if FEV1/FVC is normal, because of high RV, I guess I have stage 4 emphysema? However I can still run 2 km in a reasonable time and walking long distances. Strange. Please clarify. Thanks.

[Hidden]

stage 4 of anything can not run ...

[chg654 in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately running 2km was merely wishful thinking. Reality is I am running 800-900 m at a (very) slow pace.

[O2Trees]

Well Im no good at diagnostics and we don't do that here anyway. Ive no idea what is meant by pure emphysema. But since staging is done by the FEV1 I can't see how you could be stage 4. FEV1 for stage 4 is 30% and less! I'm nearly at stage 4 and I would defy anyone with stage 4 to run 2K. I think you may have air trapping in your lungs - hyperinflation - as that could explain the high RV. Whatever it is you would presumably want to know what is causing it so get in touch with your doctor.

It's entirely possible that someone will come along with a better explanation

[Hidden]

Hi your lung function is the most important figure and that is your FEV1 which is showing as around 100%. You don't have emphysema with that lung function so I am not sure how you can have? By pure emphyseama do you mean you only have that and not chronic bronchitis so it isn't classed as copd?

I think you need to have a word with your medical professional as none of this makes any sense.

[chg654]

Thx for all the answers. CT scan showed Emphysema. I have a lot to learn.

[Twigletto in reply to chg654]

Hi, like you, I have recently been diagnosed with emphysema, though no symptoms - X-ray showed it . I, too, received a letter with loads of letter, numbers and percentages that I didn't understand so I took it along to my surgery. The gp there didn't understand it either so in the end I rang the British Lung Foundation and I was given all the answers to my questions by a lovely nurse called Vicky. Maybe worth you giving them a call.

All the best 😊