Emphysema

[Joujou9]

Hello, I'm a smoker from 24 years old and 40 years old. Recently diagnosed with emphysema. I did a CT scan. I had a swelling at the top of the lung. The doctor told me I would stop smoking to control the symptoms and progress but I read on the sites. Im so scared that i have to use the oxygen one day and was afraid that I would die and be tortured i want to ask if anyone has experience with this disease and how should i deal with it im so scared and i've been i a suicidal mood since my diagnosed

[Hidden]

Hi and understand your fear

[Corin1950]

Hi joujou9

Welcome to the site.

You are bound to feel worried and scared when you are first diagnosed. Everyone is but please stay calm. You need to learn as much as you can about your condition and what stage you’re at.

If it’s mild to moderate you can make changes to your lifestyle that can delay the progression. Don’t worry about needing to use oxygen as you may never need it. My husband has severe emphysema

but doesn’t need oxygen. You need to get suitable medication sorted with your GP or consultant, eat healthily, exercise within your limits and stay away from smoky, polluted environments and people with colds . It’s important to have a rescue pack of antibiotics and steroids in case you get an infection as infections do further damage to the lungs. Ask your doctor to get you on a Pulmonary Rehab course where you will learn about your condition and do exercises.

Please try not to worry as anxiety can make your symptoms worse .

There are many useful posts on the site for you to read.

Best wishes

Corin

[Joujou9 in reply to Corin1950]

Thank you when the doctor told me that I was not afraid because I never heard of this disease but when I came home and I looked and saw a lot of advanced cases I got very tired I want to ask you how long your husband has been diagnosed and breathing well so he does not need oxygen

[Corin1950 in reply to Joujou9]

He has had problems for about nearly 15 years but diagnosed about 10 years ago with emphysema by CT scan.

Unfortunately didn't stop smoking til 5 years ago which he now regrets as he smoked quite heavily. He caught a virus when we were in Switzerland in Feb last year and was very ill and has not managed to return to his pre-virus condition. He does not need oxygen as his blood tests show his level of oxygen is fine. BUT please don't compare yourself as people are different and some people on here who are diagnosed 'mild or moderate' manage to stay that way for years and some of that is under your control.

Look after yourself

Corin

[Joujou9 in reply to Corin1950]

You are right thank you for your support

[2greys]

Absolutely no cause for those panicky thoughts. I was first diagnosed with severe emphysema 3 years ago. Since then I have continued to work full-time and this year took my partner, daughter and grandson on holiday, with a 14 ton sailing cruiser on the Norfolk Broads. Being with an inexperienced crew, I found myself doing the lion's share of the work. Our flat is up three flights of stairs, and I carry a loaded shopping trolley up them too.

Although we are all different, I hope that I have re-assured you to some extent. It is not a death sentence and you can certainly enjoy a good quality of life with it.

[Joujou9 in reply to 2greys]

I hope you always be okay i know i can manage it and slow the progression but at first i was so scared and still a little but when i come to this site i feel better thanks to you all

[gingermusic]

Corin 1950 has given you really good advise. I was diagnosed at age 40 and I am now 69 ok yes I am on oxygen but not everybody has to have it the most important thing for you is to stop smoking as every cigarette you smoke will do my harm, Not easy I know but I did it and so can you,

[Joujou9 in reply to gingermusic]

You are all helping me and thank you so much for your positive comments

[Gelfin]

Use a salt pipe/inhaler (eBay). Make sure it's a ceramic one.

Don't give the disease a name. The smoking has weakened your body, that's all.

Read The Wahls Protocol.

Become familiar with how your body works at a cellular level.

Give your body what it needs to recover from the 15 years of poisoning.

Focus on the challenge of rebuilding yourself, and any suicidal thoughts will fade away.

We are all built to take on challenges. With nothing to challenge us, we grow weaker.

Is it a challenge to continue smoking? (no - grow weaker)

Is it a challenge to stop smoking? (yes - grow stronger)

There's no doubt in my mind that you can turn things around.

Keep us updated.

[Joujou9 in reply to Gelfin]

Thank you for your advice it really helped me alot

[Alfiebax2]

Hi I was diagnosed with severe emphysema nearly 17 years ago .You can manage it but you have to change your lifestyle if needed ,like giving up smoking ,change your diet etc.Dont be frightened believe me it's not a death sentence like you are thinking .I managed my condition very Welland it didn't really stop me doing anything until the last couple of years . The good news is I had a lung volume reduction operation last October and after a few hiccups I'm now fighting fit , I have to be careful about catching colds ,viruses etc but life is good ..........and I was on oxygen but only when I was on the move not sitting down .Please remember oxygen is not really a breathing aid it's to stop your internal organs deterioration .Please don't be scared this site will help you any which way they can.

Hugs and love Babs ♥️

[Joujou9 in reply to Alfiebax2]

Hi thanks for your time to reply me i hope you are okay and get better soon mine have always shortness of breathing its not getting worse but its still the same also i have depression and anxiety thats why i think bad though so i dont know if shortness of breathing is from my disease or anxiety

[barbs47]

Hi joujou9 it is scarey when you’re first diagnosed. Please try to look on the positive side. I was diagnosed in my early 40s I was a single parent bringing up my 4 lovely children. I am now 72 and have 7 grandchildren. I worked up till my 60s when I retired. You still have lots of life to live, look to see if you need to change anything in your life there is lots of advice on this forum. We are all here to support you so lean on us and ask the questions you have. Barbs x

[Joujou9 in reply to barbs47]

That made me tear up i wish you to stay healthy i love your positive comments it make me feel happy and gave me hope thank youu

[Green68]

Hi like many on here I was diagnosed quite a few years ago and yes like you I thought that was it, final curtain call, last stop on the northern line. Do not search the internet most is absolute rubbish and scare mongering. A few simple life style changes are all that is needed. Stop smoking (If you haven't already) eat well, keep mobile, avoid people with coughs and colds, get your annual flu jab and take as much exercise daily as you can manage. I easily walk 3 1/2 miles daily at a very reasonable pace, I work part-time (by choice) and help look after family members. Emphysema is not the end and STOP looking it up on the internet 😁

[Joujou9 in reply to Green68]

I know i have to stop researching but i find my self doing again and again and the same answers. But when i come to this site helped me alot

[barbs47 in reply to Joujou9]

Hi me again. It’s normal to want to find out as much as you can. When you have a question put it in the search at the top right of this site you will more often than not find the answer from someone who has asked the same question here. If the answer isn’t there write a simple post on this site and you will find someone on here will have the answer or advise for you. There is a wealth of knowledge on this site so ask away. Take care Barbs x

[skischool]

Joujou,sort out your anxiety and your lungs with careful management will look after themselves,this site is more inclined for those of us who have accepted our conditions,adapted our lives accordingly to lessen progression and then generally dump the research and get on with life.