Copd non smoker

[Stevennn2003]

Anybody here having copd and never been a smoker

Im 36 years never been a smoker

My dr saying that there is a possibility to have copd

I can't belive it....

[mikeadams51]

At your age I would ask for a Alpha1 antitripsin test

[Hidden]

I have never smoked and have COPD. I am quite a bit older than you, but was diagnosed while the disease was mild. I now take more exercise and use a powder inhaler once a day, and I feel really well.

[Clamdigger]

I would get the blood test for it .. I"m going for my test had and a family member that had COPD never smoked...

[newlands]

Hi my father never smoked and he had COPD

[hypercat54]

Around 15% of copders have never smoked. There are other ways to get it such as having parents who smoked, working in certain trades such as the rag trade or construction. The other way is if you have the genetic link. x

[Katinka46]

I had a quick look back at your previous posts. One of my hobby horses here is doctors — especially GPs — diagnosing COPD too quickly. You mentioned in one post that you wanted some help interpreting your Spirometry numbers. What did you conclude from consulting the link that you were given? And have you had the Alpha1-Anti-Trypsin Deficiency blood test? My GP at one point said I could have had COPD for years. He was wrong. I think you said earlier that your breathing problems came on suddenly. COPD does not come on suddenly. Push for more answers.

All the best

K

[Stevennn2003 in reply to Katinka46]

Hi katinka46

Spirometry it's border line to normal levels.

Im not coughing at all my only symptom is spiting up a lot of phlegm and being tired all the time.

I don't have a diagnosis yet ...mnaged to get to Brompton and they don't know ...they suspect a pulmonary embolism in the past. Because i have coughed up blood as well

[Katinka46 in reply to Stevennn2003]

Thanks for getting back to me. How interesting that RBH are thinking of PEs. It was PEs that caused all my problems, including —- very unusually —- the small airways disease. Those are the devil to diagnose. And my Spirometry numbers are not as severe as my symptoms would suggest. Again, that is typical of SADs.

Hmmm.... I assume you had High Resolution CT scan at RBH? That should help a dx.

It took 8 years to get my dx. I hope it is quicker for you.

All the best and keep in touch. There are similarities in our situation.

Kate

[sammysmum in reply to Katinka46]

I have had 2 episodes of PEs, 1st was 5 years ago, 2nd only in March = damaged lung now, one is smaller than the other. My fantastic GP has organised a HRCT scan in the near future, awaiting appointment soon. Thinks I have bronchiectasis also, however scan will make diagnosis easier. Senior chest clinic consultant at local hospital just shrugged his shoulders when I could not breathe in December, and said he had no answers as to what was going on! Pity he did not keep the appointment I had in March that would have told him, instead I went for another opinion privately. Thankfully I did as I would not be here now! Lung function test next week as last one was under 300, definitely not high enough when checked 10 days ago. Had ECG "seems normal" but awaiting heart blood tests, BNP it is called!! My problems have all been caused by PEs, as prior to 6 years ago, when coughing started, I was not asthmatic, no chronic bronchitis and only one provoked DVT, which did not travel to the lungs, whereas with both PEs I had not warning signs in the legs or anywhere, just straight into the lungs! I agree push for more answers.

[Stevennn2003]

Mr xxc returned for review today. In general, his condition is stable and certainly better than when I first met him 18 months ago. That said, he continues to expectorate sputum which is occasionally blood flecked. Just going back over his medical history he reports that approximately two years ago he woke with acute onset right flank pain which was associated with low oxygen saturations and two syncopal episodes. He had two episodes of such pain but was not investigated further after blood tests (presumably D-Dimers) were said to be negative for pulmonary emboli. He continues to be active and is working full-time.

On examination today chest was clear with vesicular breath sounds. Cardiovascular examination was unremarkable. Spirometry demonstrates an FVC 4.7.

It is possible that Mr Arsene’s initial symptoms were the consequence of a pulmonary embolus. His most recent CT does not show structural lung disease, however, I am struck by the persistence of his symptoms. I have therefore suggested that when he is next seen for an NHS appointment that we perform a CT pulmonary angiogram and echocardiogram.

[Stevennn2003]

This is rbh report while gp says copd

[Katinka46]

How frustrating. But they are not giving up on you. And there really does not seem to be any evidence of COPD.

Hmmmm....

Please let us know how things progress.

K

[Jollj]

Hi steven,me too never smoked but diagnosed COPD 4 years ago aged 56, nurse puts it down to occupational dust/fumes and possibly second hand smoking,both parents were heavy smokers,despite being severely overweight i swim 4 or 5 times a week to build up my lung function,recently well improved my speedometer results thanks to great advice from regulars on this site,don't worry you have nothing to fear just read the posts on COPD on here you will learn all you need to know.

[katieoxo60]

Yes Sadly contrary to popular assumption , people who never smoke do get COPD , and others who only smoked in their teens to try it get COPD in later life in some cases. It can be inherited so I would as adviced by others ask for the Alpha 1 Antitripsin test as soon as possible. There are other things it could be but you need to be tested to ascertain a diagnosis of your lung problem so it can be treated correctly. Best Wishes & good luck, almost forgot welcome to the site hope to speak more in future.

[Clamdigger]

I have never smoked but raised in the time when you could smoke every were... Plus my uncle died from COPD never smoked.. I'm getting blood work done to test see if I inheritated it...

[AnnaMT]

I have just recently been diagnosed with COPD. I have had chronic asthma since babyhood and have never smoked or lived with smokers. I have had pneumonia in double figures, even with the jab. I have been told that the bottom of my lungs has a tendency to collapse, due to mucus from asthma. Hence lung pains. I also have problems with mobility, due to muscular skeletal problems (probably all linked). I intend to work as long as possible, having had a gap of 9 years where I had to learn how to sit up and walk again, as well as gain control of my asthma which had become uncontrolled again. My body may not be as active but I can still use my brain and positivity to help my husband and my children in work or studies, respectively.