Firstly, I know nobody can answer this question, but I need some kind of hope to cling onto.
I am a 35 Year old male, recently just been diagnosed with stage 2 empthsyma with a FEV1 reading of 60%. I currently do lots of excercise, treadmill, walking etc. DO about 10000 steps a day. Not really feeling the affects of COPD at the moment and only get breathless if doing vigorous excercise.
I have a yound daughter and I am petrified that I wont see her grow up into a little girl. Realistically, how long will it be until this disease grabs hold of me. I have smoked in past (not a lot, about 5 a day), but haven't touched a ciggeratte since diagnoses about 3 months ago.
Thanks,
George
Written by
ggeorgiou
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The only thing I can see that may result in you not seeing your baby daughter grow is the anxiety and stress caused by your diagnosis. Stay off the cigarettes, stay active, relax and enjoy your family.
There are members on this site who were diagnosed at a later stage who have already lived long enough to see children grow and are still here. Anxiety can be very debilitating. If you cannot overcome it do see your doctor for some help.
My wife seems to think I am depressed. This year has been pretty bad for me as have been diagnosed with IBD also. I think I do need to see the doctor for depression.
I have 43 years and dx with mild copd last year ( 71%). I also have two young children. At the time of my diagnosis, I was scared and for a while I had many black thoughts. However, I had stopped smoking a few months before and started like you looking for information on the internet. The more I read, the more confused I became. I found this site and another one (CPOD Fundation.org) that was the game changer for me. I started hiking daily from 7 to 10 km, I can not always walk every day, but at least 5 times a week. Take my medication every day and get the flu and pneumonia vaccine. I have some care with food, but this aspect I have to improve a little more. What I try to avoid as much as this is a great danger for us is catching the flu or colds and this leads to a lung infection. In this way we lose lung functions and the decline is accelerated. It is not easy having children at home, but I do avoid places with lots of people in the flu season and use NasalguardCold when I go to spaces with a lot of people or I feel that at home people are getting sick. In fact, I feel better now and more active than when I was diagnosed, but this is a progressive disease but we can slow down with the right measures. We're talking about decades. We can already see our children grow a little more. That's my biggest goal. I hope it's yours as well. I hope science will bring good news, however, something that delays progression. hug
Eat well, no smoking, not much alcohol, stay active, take vitamins (C and D3 very important) and relax. Maybe mediate, yoga?
No reason why you shouldn't life a short long as the next person. It's not a death sentence, it's manageable. My aunts was diagnosed in years ago, she's still going strong at eighty seven now!
I have had it since a trauma at birth and my daughter will be 50 later this year. Keep doing as you are and keep off the fags and you will give yourself every chance of a long and happy life despite the lung condition.
Exactly as below never touch another cigarette and carry on as you are exercising and eating healthily and no reason why you should not live into old age so stop worrying and enjoy what you have. If any help I was diagnosed at around age 40 smoking 15 a day which I did not stop doing until I was aged 54. I am still here now aged 68 or almost so you have done well to quit those cigs as quickly as you did. keep it that way they really are a killer.
Thanks for telling me your story ginger, gives me hope. Do you mind me asking how much your FEV1 declinded over those years since first diagnoses? Do you still lead an active life?
I am going to speak to my GP tomorrow when I see her as strange as it sounds I have never ever been told what my FEV1 is so hopefully I shall find out.
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