COPD

[paulc20-]

If you have been diagnosed with COPD & don t have a cough but breathing difficulties at times is it Emphysema ?

[Caspiana]

Hello paulc20- .

I doubt anyone here can diagnose your condition. It is very hard to say as everyone is different. My condition his not under the copd umbrella but when I was first diagnosed I did not have a cough. Now I have a bit of cough but it is dry. My impression of emphysema is patients usually have a productive cough. But again, I'm no expert. I think I you will need the guidance and test run by a professional to give you answers.

Best wishes,

Cas xx 🌼🌱

[oulpete2 in reply to Caspiana]

Hi Paul, I have exactly as you describe with a little phlegm. Under slight exertion I become very breathless but on the flat ok. A recent test was to see how far I could walk in 6 minutes, carefully calibrated, it was 300 strides, which pleased me no end. I nebulise Ventolin 4xdaily along with Trimbow 2xpuffsx twice daily. Hope this shows you are not alone, all the best. Oulpete.

[oulpete2 in reply to oulpete2]

Sorry, I have been diagnosed with Emphysema.

[Badbessie]

I have moderate emphysema. I rarely cough or produce sputum. The best person to answer your question fully is your specialist. The affects of copd can be very individual and without the results gathered by your doctor any answer on here would at best be a guess.

[garshe]

I have severe COPD. Diagnosed 9yrs ago. Had a cough when diagnosed but gave up smoking immediately .now never have a cough or phlegm.I take Mucodyne every day. Everyone is different though. My husband has mild COPD and he has a cough.

[barbs47]

Hi I was diagnosed with emphysema over 25 years ago. I do not have a cough except when I’ve got an infection Barbs x

[peege]

Here in the uk copd means you have either emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Other countries may include asthma under the umbrella term of copd.

As badbessie says, only a medic can tell you which element you have. I think a (but not sure) that a CT scan and a lung function test are your best options for diagnosis. Good luck, P

[peege in reply to peege]

PS over the years I've read here that many people with copd improve with regular exercise, heathy weight, healthy diet, avoiding the bugs by using hand hygiene & people with coughs, colds, sneezes

[hypercat54]

Hi most people have copd with either chronic bronchitis as the primary conditon but with emphysema as well, or vice versa.

My copd nurse told me it is possible to have purely one or the other too. CB is damage to the upper airways and E the lower - the aveoli. x

[hypercat54]

Much too complicated for me I'm afraid. I gave a broad outline for the poster as explained to me by my doctor. x

[wheezybronch]

You need to have a consult with your doctor/consultant re your breathlessness so your treatment can be updated if need be. Emphysema is under the COPD umbrella along with ; Chronic bronchitis,chronic asthma and some doctors include some bronchiectasis patients. Like any lung diseases you need to keep your chest as clear as possible, keep exercising so that you make the most of whatever lung function you have remaining. Just getting breathless should not persuade you to stop exercising, more advice can be found on the BLF site or by ringing their helpline;

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

I have bronchiectasis and tracheobronchomalacia and when feeling breathless found myself panicking, this may be part of your problem, it is quite understandable but is completely counter productive.

Incidentally, have you been on a pulmonary rehabilitation course ?

[hypercat54]

My brain is stuffed full of cotton wool and I can't think of other Monday music choices I haven't already used. Can you? Otherwise I was thinking of having a break this week and doing a quiz instead? x

[hypercat54]

Ah thank you have picked one now. x

[hypercat54]

Aw thank you. It's good to know others enjoy it. x

[SquirrelsHolt]

Thank you @RedSox for your very detailed explanation of COPD & Bronchitis. I never knew there were over 64 variations either. Thank you for the I do and I trust you picked your Monday song?

[HungryHufflepuff]

Oh my goodness I just deleted my reply. I thought I'd stopped doing that 🙄

Another suggestion would be landscapes like forest, seaside or mountain.

Anyway hypercat54 we need our music Mondays and as you can see we've given this some thought because it's Very Important so please keep doing these.

[Spacecat1]

It could be. I don't cough. I have phlegm stuck in throat. So take carbestine from the docs helps sometimes. Have they diagnosed emphysema. If not might be worth seeing doctor so he can arrange e ray especially as you are struggling with your breathing

[Durcot]

My doctor said I have sever COPD and sever ASTHMA.

With some traces of EMPHYSEMA. I can agree because I was a heavy smoker 20 years qgo.

So what, I'm not giving up, you dont either