hi. I have had a spirometry due to a short period of shortness of breath (a few weeks). the nurse said that based on reversibikity I definitely have asthma but that there were also results indicating COPD (fev1/fev of 67 as opposed to the norm of 70) however,she said that because I have a cold and a cough currently that probably distorted the result so I will need to do it again in March.
But my imagination is going mad and I am experiencing extreme anxiety. I am only 35 I have two children under 5 who are totally dependent on me. this would destroy us all. if it is COPD I assume it is mild based on those results? how quickly will it progress? (I stopped smoking 6 years ago,am healthy,vegan and exercise 3- 4 times a week with no problems.) with those results what is the liklihood that it will change after cold has gone? can you stay in stage 1 for more than 20 years? sorry for the questions but could really do with some support. thank you.
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bigchanges
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It is very unusual for a young person to have developed copd, even if they are a smoker. It is far more likely that there is another cause for your breathlessness. The training in lung problems of nurses at GP surgeries is very narrow and GPs not much better.
The cold that you have had would affect your fev although a drop of three from normal is actually nothing
At your age you should not be worrying like this and I think that it was wrong of the nurse to say those things to you when she actually did not know what she was looking at.
If your breathlessness does not clear up when you are over your cold Insist on a referral to a respiratory consultant from your G P. They have all of the equipment and will be able to get to the bottom of your breathlessness.
I have a very serious lung condition and brought up my children and now have five grandchildren. I am still going strong. So stop putting the cart before the horse. I’m sure that it is something which can be easily handled.
thank you so much for your response,your story is incredibly inspiring. What you have said is so reassuring. I do tend to think the worst and have health anxiety at the best of times. I will definitely ask for a referral if the breathlessness doesn't go away (althiugh until yesterday i thought it had gone but am now so focused on breathing that I think I am now imaging that I feel it again) a quick question, you say a drop of 3 from normal is nothing. does that mean that when I dont have a cold it should go back up and even if it doesn't it is only just below normal? Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.
I don’t fixate on these numbers. They mean very little as they can vary so much. All sorts of things including An infection and anxiety can affect them. They are only important to people with long term long disease as an indicator of whether or not it is progressing. I really don’t even bother with mine. How you feel is far more important to your general health. As you say that you thought that the breathlessness had gone until you started thinking about your breathing again, I am pretty sure that anxiety ( which you say you have in regards to your health) is playing a large part here. Believe me, true breathlessness does not go away. I really do suggest that you go to your GP and explain your concerns. You need to have your breathing issues investigated and if you do have something to cooe with, the correct treatment. Also your GP can help you with your anxiety. Then you can get on and enjoy your life with your lovely children.
My FEV1 on diagnosis was 69%, but 3 years later after following a lot of the advice on this site and doing a lot of singing, it improved to 82%. Then I caught this winter's cold and it dropped to 54% for a while. Now it's back up again. So it could just be your cold that's made your lung function poor.
I wouldn't concern yourself so much at this stage. you had a cold, normally spirometry is not carried out when a person has a cold because the readings are not accurate at such times.
If your shortness of breath has passed that is a good indication you are recovering from your cold. You will need to manage your asthma if that is what you have though. Phone the BLF helpline if you are really concerned.
I would say at this stage you are over-reacting a little.
Just go back in March if you are feeling well do keep the appointment, if you have another cold or feeling unwell, phone up to cancel and reschedule. If you have another spell of shortness of breath you need to use your ventolin as prescribed (assuming you were prescribed this since the nurse said you definitely have asthma) If you haven't been prescribed the ventolin and you do experience repeated shortness of breath, make an appointment with your doctor for a prescription.
Children do bring a lot of colds and bugs into the home, a precaution may be having them take the recommended flu vaccine or nasal spray provided by the NHS each year and also having the flu vaccine yourself each winter season, your partner too.
Anxiety problems are another issue, talk with your doctor if this continues.
Meantime relax and keep doing all the things you know that help your health, a good diet is just one. Vegan's don't always eat healthily but hope you do.
Could you insist on having the spirometry test earlier I.e as soon as your cold clears up? Just to put your mind at rest. I’m sure your GP would understand your anxiety.
I just wanted to thank everyone who commented on my post for their support. I went back for second spirometry today and the nurse confirmed that it is not COPD and just asthma,which is such a relief. However , I am at the lower end of normal so she suggested there may be some lung damage from a smoking history. I am hoping that a healthy lifestyle,exercise and good diet will mean I can keep it at normal and that it is not going to turn into COPD (at least for many years to come). I am now looking at all advice I can around how to make my lungs as healthy as possible. thanks so much for the reassuring comments you all have when I was unsure of diagnosis-ut made all the difference.
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