3rd time I’ve been diagnosed with copd as I was previously diagnosed twice before as Mild copd then was told no ( long story )
My doctor says I have asthma copd over run
Can anyone explain what this means please and point me in the right direction of self help
Stupidly read a book titled I reversed my moms copd to then look it up on the internet and see it’s just a quack as they put it
Anyway
Had a total break down over this today
My mother has copd at the worst stage she struggles with everything can’t move much etc shes 64 I’m 47 she was diagnosed with severe copd after a bout of pneumonia they say her copd is based on asbestos
I’m desperate to understand this and live with it not die from it xx
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M27nda
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So, basically for people who “all the sudden” came down with asthma and copd like symptoms in their life, many doctors believe it’s not either of those two- but instead one or two of ATYPICAL infections (Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae) that hide deep in the lung and cause symptoms such as short of breath, mucus, Chest tightness, wheezing, etc). This theory actually has tons of proof backed by studies but it’s not recognized by many bec big institutions like Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, UCLA, etc are all taught on a specific protocol. Anyway, so, the few doctors that do recognize these infections linger and hide out causing issues, treat it with LONG TERM macrolides and tetracyclines. These are certain classes of antibiotics. After 3 months to a year of taking these, your immune system is finally able to kill the infections- thus, curing your copd or asthma. Studies have proved the antibiotics work too! You can research all that yourself. One doctor that treats is named Fred Wagshul at The Lung Center Of America. I flew to him after a bout of pneumonia went away but soon I kept having shortness of breath and mucus coming up.
Hi M27nda I feel your sense of being overwhelmed. I have asthma and am concerned my ongoing struggle to breathe maybe copd. I’m going to a specialist at the end of Feb to get my lungs checked. I, too, am scared as I’m concerned I will have the same diagnosis. I’m sorry I can’t offer you any help but just know you’re not alone and am thinking of you. Happy to chat if you need 😘 Rose
Hi I have had asthma for many years then it became copd as well. However coz it was very mild for a few years years my asthma nurse said at times I slipped out of it. This is probably what happened to you.
If your grandmother had it and your mother does there could be a genetic link and your doctor can confirm this with a simple blood test. There is lots of self help available.
1. Most importantly pack in the ciggies (I am still struggling with this too).
2. Use your inhalers as prescribed.
3. Ask your doctor to refer you to PR (pulmonary rehabilitation).
4. Seek help if you have a chest infection etc.
5. Eat healthy.
6. Exercise.
Remember that whilst you have copd, it doesn't have you. Stay with us on here as you will get lots of valuable information. x
I’ve already done the genetic test and was told no link
I thought asthma was copd
I’ve been in denial of this for the last 6 months but I’m ill with a cold and seeing a doctor this afternoon who will more than likely put me on Antibiotics and Poss steroids
I’m heartbroken that I have this I also have joined a few support groups ( will probably leave some too after a week or so of weeding the bad ones out ) I just want to get as much info on this as possible I’m 47 I still want to be alive and relatively healthy at 60 I know it’s a battle but I love challenges anyway
Cigarette wise I’ll speak to the doc today my problem is I smoke weed and obv add tobacco to make a smoke
I am being brutally honest !
I’m cutting it down this month to try and stop completely end of feb
That to me at the moment is my biggest battle
I also read that I shouldn’t drink milk ( thickens mucus ) ?
No asthma is often reversible and it's not usually included under the copd umbrella, though some medics say it is. Copd is Chronic Bronchitis (damage to the upper airways), and Emphysema (damage to the bottom of the lungs). Most people have primarily one with a bit of the other, hence copd.
It's only if a cold or exacerbation turns into a chest infection that you might need ab's and/or steroids. Look after your lungs to avoid further damage.
There is a quit smoking site on here so why not have a look? x
I’ve done 2 courses of doxicyclin and one of amoxycillin and 2 lots of steroids in the last 3/4 months
More confusion as my doc ( Im U.K. based ) puts asthma with copd and they tell me I have an overlap
I’ll look more into it later
I haven’t had emphysema mentioned to me now that I’m not denying this anymore I’m going to ask for my spirometry test results as well today so I can see where I am and I know I will be sent for a chest X-ray which is long over due
First it's more accurate to describe emphysema as a disease of the alvioli. Since alvioli are all over the lungs, it's not just a disease of the lower lungs.
Second, copd/asthma overlap does not imply 'mild'. I have this and Im on the far side of severe.
The Royal Brompton consultants I see have told me this term is used erroneously a lot of the time. I think (though not 100% sure) that they use it if for people who have already had asthma for some time prior to a copd dx. xx
Hi all, yes yes I can relate to all of the above. I have had asthma from 5years old I'm 55 now. My asthma was hireditary but made worse by trauma - I had attachment disorder and suffered with seperation when I started school. However throughout my life it came and went. I would say worse during any hormonal times ie starting menstruation, pregnancy, weight. I grew up with it and I dealt with it however! At 13 I started smoking as a lot of people did back in those days! Now all these years later I have had copd diagnosed and then retracted several times. I think I can explain this (without disrespecting the medical professionals) it's hard for them to pinpoint why? Asthma is a killer we know but a lot of peeps don't respect this (me lol) when you have lived with it all your life it becomes part of you. Other people hear me wehezzing not me, other people ask if I'm OK when I'm talking on the phone (I'm actually bored of hearing that one) truth is you adapt your life to what you can and can't do. I know my asthma is triggered by colds, anxiety, stress, shock, fear. I'm pretty laid back by it BUT I smoke! and this is the facts it's hard for them too decide if it's asthma or copd they are mainly the same but only if you smoke! We are not gonna get away it past our 50's it's impossible to regard it as asthma any more its copd. It might not fully present itself as that too them but personally I know that an asthma attack through panic or stress is not the same as being unable to climb the stairs because of copd. I also understand your smoking issue as I also smoke cannabis and really really find it hard to give up. I actually do vape and can honestly say It does stop me smoking BUT I have to use rolling tabbaco to smoke green so I'm in this catch 22. I walk for an hour a day and since vaping and loosing weight I can actually feel a massive improvement however I like a smoke of green and use rolling tabbaco to do this so kinda defeat my good work!!. I'm looking to develop a plan over this and have been shown vape devises that burn weed without tabbaco so we'll see. Anyway I totally agree with hypercat54 that list is perfect health regime, follow it cut your weed down or replace it with another version of it there's plenty out there research it. Get your head around anyone who is asthmatic and smokes will eventually get copd regardless. Most people in this country who smoke have it.
I feel I’m being uninformed by my doctors then as no one has mentioned emphysema or bronchitis nor have I ever had either of them ive had asthma since I was 19 as I was pregnant ended up with a lung infection that then lead to inhalers and asthma diagnosis
There is a huge history of asthma in my mother’s side of the family
My mother has end stage copd
I was in Thailand on holiday 14 months ago on a 10 day holiday and I always feel it’s been since then my lungs started going this way they have could this be related ?
Also not sure if this makes a difference
I have a gastric band which was fitted nearly 7 years ago as I had undiagnosed sleep apnea which since weight loss has cleared off
All my doctor has done is 2 spirometry tests one when I had an infection and then one 4 weeks later and due to results they indicated moderate copd none of my meds have been changed I don’t have any rescue meds etc
Try singing for lung health. There are local groups listed on the BLF website. I run one in South Cheshire and my COPD/Asthma overlap improved from moderate to low end normal FEV1 because of that, and also following all the good advice from others on this wonderful site. It still affects me, but only when I push myself too far or breathe in fumes or very humid air.
I have both, which I believe is quite common. My late onset asthma was probably a result of long term hayfever, but the COPD was a bit of a surprise as I had never smoked! Spirometry showed 17% reversibility (the asthma component) and the rest was fixed small airways obstruction (COPD).
I was diagnosed after 6 years of incessant winter colds and constantly having to clear my throat; at that point I had only 50% lung function (moderate/severe COPD), but no other symptoms, which is presumably why people can operate on one lung. The dual inhaler increases my lung function to ~65%, but I get a lot of thin mucous production, which is annoying and difficult to control - but it doesn't affect my breathing much.
Sadly, we are all different, so this forum shows that people can have a variety of symptoms, at different levels, with the same condition. It's really about finding the right treatment for you.
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Copd
COPD Progression Timeline 
mild copd
Severe COPD
