Just joined and confused

[Nicosn]

I hope everyone is well over the holiday season...I was diagnosed with Emphysema 3 years ago with the doctor saying it's nothing to worry about because I stopped smoking 20 years ago (I am 60) and because there were only a couple of tiny air pockets visible in the Cat scan. I thought nothing of it until I caught a nasty cough and a chest infection 5 days ago. Being curious I went on the net only to see that average life expectancy is 5 years from being diagnosed...I'm confused because the doctor 3 years ago said there was nothing to worry about....then I read things here that say people were diagnosed 12,15 and even 20 years ago....which is it? I will try to call the GPS tomorrow but I haven't slept all through the Christmas holidays wondering what to expect as I wasn't able to contact the doctors...can anyone give any sort of advice?

[sassy59]

Welcome, please be assured that nobody can put a time on how long you might live with emphysema. Many are still around more than 20 years after diagnosis.

It’s a good thing to look after yourself by eating well, exercising etc. and enjoy life as much as you can.

I hope you sleep well tonight and feel better soon. Xxxxx

[Nicosn in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Sassy....I haven't told my wife until late a doctor or consultant actually spells it out for me...I've just retired and bought into a business on a Greek island with intention of moving out there permanently within 3 years...it's lovely over there....hard work but plenty of fresh food and exercise...everyone thought I looked early 40s!...it just seems that I might not be able to follow my dreams and feel that if I died soon I would have somehow let my wife down whom I'm deeply in love and only married just before my diagnosis....I will try and think positively....thank you....and have a happy Christmas to you and your loved ones.

[sassy59 in reply to Nicosn]

Look to the future Nicosn and you’ve let nobody down. Take care and good wishes to you. Xxxxx

[Nicosn in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Sassy...once I know where I stand I will tell my wife as I know she will support me and encourage me to keep fit....thank you.

[stone-UK]

Hi

5 years from diagnosis, seams misleading.

You can be diagnosed at a early Mild stage, with a few symptoms. And with the correct treatment slow the progression down to practically zero.

Or like me at Severe stage, with more than a few symptoms. That was 11 years ago. I am now stage 4 struggled with smoking cessation for many years.

Since I stopped smoking my Spirometer as not altered to much in the last 4 reviews

So basically if you remove the cause, and avoid any toxic fumes. The five year prognosis is not relevant.

[Nicosn in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you for your reply, as I didn't check anything and took the doctors word for it 3 years ago, I didn't worry about it....but when I googled it-it kept coming up with 5 years which hit me like a cricket bat! As previously mentioned, it's made worse by not being able to speak to a doctor due to the holidays. Thank you for putting me at ease. Thank god I found this site!

[O2Trees]

Five years from diagnosis? Rubbish!! Im stage 3 and was diagnosed at moderate 17 years ago. Still going strong. Also gave up 15 years before diagnosis, but that is irrelevant for progression outcomes. What will make the difference is how you adapt with exercise, diet and staying away from pollutants and infection. Take care

[Nicosn in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you to you and Stone....it's very reassuring to hear your kind words-and I will resume the exercise when I recover from this chest infection....thank you.

[peege]

Look at another way. You've had a diagnosis (it must have been very mild to say don't worry about it). Forewarned is forearmed, you can now concentrate on avoiding catching germs by using good hygiene tecniques, hand gel etc and keeping your immune system in extremely good shape as well as all the exercise, eating well, healthy weight & healthy diet members here advocate. Take care and keep well. P

[hypercat54]

Hi I was diagnosed mild 9 years ago and I am 3 years older than you are now and am still mild. I have packed in the ciggies only this year. I plan on living to a ripe and healthy old age and so will you.

No one can predict how long someone will live and the 5 year mark is more applicable to someone very severe than at the early stage like you. Even then some very severe people live many years long than this.

Lead a healthy lifestyle. take any meds prescribed and look after your lungs then forget it and live your life. x

[Nicosn in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you for sharing your experience...I must say I feel much better (although I feel at deaths door at the moment!)...it's just that I thought the doctor from 3 years ago was fobbing me off after reading so called official health sites but now I've got hope and I can replanning my future knowing I have one!

Thank you.