Hi I am new to this “forum” (I don’t even know if that’s what this is called). Nearly 2.5 years ago I was told I may have COPD 😢 I was also told my lung age was 49 and that my X-rays showed my lungs had a thickened lining? I moved from Northern Ireland (where I was given this news but my doctor at the time) back home to Swindon (currently living in Cheltenham) and didn’t tell anyone as I was scared and didn’t want to think about it. Now my condition is getting worse and I have my asthma appointment tomorrow and I’m going to bring up the news I was told 2.5 years ago with her. I’m extremely worried could someone shed some light on weather this sounds like COPD so I can prepare myself but also be taken seriously. I have had unmanageable asthma since I was a baby and I truly feel if I don’t get taken seriously I’ll be in a coffin within 5 years! I have 3 daughters and 5 step children full time who rely on me so I need to know what’s going on xx
COPD at 32 😔: Hi I am new to this... - Lung Conditions C...
COPD at 32 😔
Hi nice to meet you and welcome to the forum. It would be very unusual for someone at your age to have copd but not unheard of. I am wondering how your doctor came to that decision? Normally you would have a spirometry test or a scan or something to determine if that's what it is.
I was diagnosed mild in my mid 50's with a lung age of 89 which is a lot older than your 49 so it sounds very very mild if you do have it. Do you have any close family members with lung problems? If so there might be a genetic link though this is rare. If you are diagnosed with copd then because you are so young you should be offered this simple blood test. Also are you or have you ever been a smoker as copd is most normally diagnosed after decades of smoking?
Now even if you do have copd it is by no means a death sentence unless you are diagnosed at a very late stage and with a healthy lifestyle you would have every chance of staying stable for many years. Although it is progressive normally it doesn't progress rapidly so the chances are you still have a long and healthy life ahead of you.
When you have your asthma appointment tell the nurse all this and ask for a definitive test for copd.
I hope you don't have it so good luck with that. x
Hi MrsBrammerTobe
So sorry for your concern and worry.
Chronic asthma may develop into COPD but that usually happens much later in life. You could request to be tested for alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency to rule out that. There are other things that can cause lung damage aside from smoking, if you have been exposed to other lung irritants, air pollution* etc. But the only true way to know for sure is referral to a respiratory consultant who will no doubt arrange for you to have a CT scan and other tests, the results of which will show more clearly what is going on in the lungs. Request a referral to a specialising respiratory consultant explaining your concerns and that you need to know what precisely is going on in the lungs.
To know the difference between COPD and asthma you may want to check out the BLF website regarding these and how they differ from each other, click on +Show all for the full list where you will see the asthma link from this page: blf.org.uk/support-for-you
In addition there is a page on making the most of your doctors appointment, this page may be of help to you blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...
* blf.org.uk/search/site/poll...
Even if you are diagnosed with COPD it is manageable, a pulmonary rehabilitation course will help you manage symptoms and slow down the progress of the disease, but best not to jump the gun as you may not have COPD.
Good luck for you asthma appointment and hopefully you will get referred to a consultant and get all the tests done to help alleviate your concern.
Also don't hesitate to contact the BLF helpline, telephone number from any of the page links above.
Best wishes Bkin
Hi. C. O. P. D is word that mean lungs have scaring on them and air ways are narrow. There are inhales. Also painkillers. If you have any infections then you are put on antibiotics. Sometimes steroids. There are hospital which deal with this and most g. P have copd nurse. Best don't panic. Life life slowly. Good luck. Ps I had to for 5 years now and never been in. Hospital. With this condition. Good luck from scotland
Hi there MrsBrammerToBe,
I was diagnosed with COPD and Bronchiectasis at 37, so not too much older than yourself.
I too have had chronic asthma since childhood. But I was also (stupidly) a smoker for 20 years (ages 16-36), and I had pneumonia at age 28. All three damaging to the lungs.
My consultant said all these contributed to my COPD, but there was no one decisive factor.
Have a look on the British Lung Foundation website, blf.org.uk - there are many different, and manageable lung conditions. You may not have COPD, but could have something else.
Best way to know, is bring it up at your appointment tomorrow, and ask for a CT scan, and lung function tests.
If your doctor in Northern Ireland was thorough, there should be some information available about this in your medical records for your current surgery to check.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
Hello mate welcome
I'm foxy79 I'm 37 years I have copd respiratory type 2 broncechtisis emphysema asthma stage 3 I'm on oxygen nebulizer colomycine with other tablets well firstly copd is very complicated you can live with it if you maintain it probably and it's not you can't get it at 32 it's very hard cause lot of things contribute to it like smoking building work astma etc for you I'll say don't worry it's to early as you said you have bad asthma might be that best for you if you tell your consultant to do all the test to rule out if you have even if you did your 32 can be controlled or queried in sertan manner but you have to be sure to treat something best of luck
Welcome to the site, do discuss this at your asthma reveiw . It is possible to have both or for Asthma to be mistaken for COPD unless you have the correct hospital tests done.Best wishes and please let us know what happens, it does sometimes take a lot of persistance to get tests done, Good Luck.
Thank you for all of your replies. I will let you all know how I get on later. Thank you all for your reassurance xx
It may not be COPD at all. This can only be determined by a spirometry test. You could ask for one to be arranged at your next appointment ?
Hi MrsBrammerTOBE , I just wanted to say good luck and hope everything goes okay at your appointment! I was recently told I have slight changes to my lungs and they are querying emphysema, and know how you feel I too have been thinking I’ll be in a coffin before I’m thirty (I’m 25 now!). Try not to google some sites will scare you half to death as I have found! X
Having a lung age of 49 at the age of 32 isn't as bad as it sounds. I was diagnosed two years ago with a lung age of 90 at the age of 66, but that has not altered at all since medication. Also, the average person's lungs will last until they're 130, as there is a lot of redundancy in lung capacity (which is why some people can survive on one lung). At the time of diagnosis, I was told I had late onset asthma and fixed small airways obstruction, which I believe can be a result of underlying asthma and behaves a lot like COPD. However, both are controllable (and the asthma reversible), so the long term effects of both can be slowed down. I would push for spirometry and a CT scan to make sure you get the correct diagnosis, then try several medications, if necessary, until you find a combination which works best for you. Doctors and consultants can be very rushed, so keep a list of questions you want to ask and focus on treatment to make you better, rather than simply the test results. Hopefully, that strategy will improve your symptoms and make you less worried.
Hi please don't think you only have five years left, people with COPD can and usually live a long happy life. Just prepare yourself with living with this disease rather than the bad thoughts. You will have to make changes to your lifestyle, but you will be fine. We are always here and happy to support you. Please keep posting and let us know how you get on. Take care of yourself.😊 Bernadette xx
MrsBrammerTOBE
Hi, yes this is a forum and welcome, from which you should get a lot of experienced replies. You shouldn't be in a coffin within 5 years, there are plenty of opportunities for you at your age (32) You will need to do some research but you should be able to get lung transplant, lung reduction, lung valves, lung coils and even stem cell treatments. Please do be careful what you do read on the web, some of the info can be quite frightening, try to ignore the negatives & focus on the positives. Stem cell treatments are rare in the UK but if you search "trials" and the you will find that the USA has a good track record, together with Thailand, India, parts of Germany, be wary of sites that appear to be Swiss based they are often Ukrain clinics posing as Swiss and you may end up in Russia. These people are often just after your cash. Each country you have to also allow for transport & accommodation.
Lung valves & coils are provided in many UK hospitals but they are provided by 2No separate providers but each will have a list of participating UK hospitals.
Lung reductions & transplants are also carried out in UK but you have to look long & hard for participating hospitals and also be prepared to travel. So you likely will have options open to you so please do not despair.
I have done a fair amount of research around the world but unfortunately because I have a cancer cannot get accepted for "trials or treatment"anywhere.
I don't know if you will have time to research much before your appointment but at least you can discuss the possibilities with your specialist, some they may agree with you some they may ward you off but it is worth bringing up. You could also get a 2nd opinion but this may have to be a private clinic which will cost you.
Lungs are very precious, look after them whatever the cost, they do not repair easily but in certain cases they can be replaced, be positive.
Sorry this may all sound a bit morbid but it is fairly factual as I have already been down the routes over many months, you appear to have age on your side, use it well.
Good luck with your appointment.
IKeith
Try not to worry, easier said I know but stress and anxiety don't help at all. There are several lung diseases so really it's brilliant that you're getting medical attention. The sooner they discover what's wrong (it could even be worsening asthma needing a tweak in your medication), the sooner the condition will be managed well. It sometimes takes a while to get the meds exactly right for you and then you'll feel a weight has been lifted.
Good luck to you, P
Hello all just to updat I have been booked in for a COPD breathing test in a months time. So hopefully will have some answers then. Thank you all so much xx
Good luck for your appointment then. Hopefully everything will be a lot clearer once you've got a confirmed diagnosis.
Having COPD is NOT a death sentence. You can live to your 80s with copd.
The important thing is to manage it and control it not have it control you.
Eat healthy, if you are over weight, try to lose a few (easier on the heart and lungs).
Exercise if and when you can (helps open and strenthen the lungs).
learn how to posture to expel the mucus (head below the waist to let gravity bring it up).
If the meds that your specialist is not working talk to him (each person is different, and what works for one may not work for another).
Be proactive. Try non meds, such as certain vitamins and minerals (I take Turmeric w/pepper every day for it's anti-inflammatory properties). Or essential oils, etc.
This forum, you will get a lot of support and tips on managing COPD.
Good health, Beth
Family link to Copd
COPD
COPD
I have COPD, no other info. Is this normal?
Post-Covid Switching from COPD to Asthma
