emphysema results

[Usedtodance]

hi everyone I have emphysema . Just had a spirometry test and my results are Fev1 =50%/1.16

Fev1/Fev6 =0.67/87%

fev6 =62%

how bad is this? Does it mean I only have half lung capacity?

How is everyone managing at this level?

[Tia4209]

Hi Usedtodance, I had a look back at some of your old posts and bio and it looks like you are doing well as your FEV . 1 has remained virtually the same since diagnosis. 50% means you are still in the moderate category. Sorry I can’t answer your question about managing with a FEV1 of 50% but from reading posts written by members of this group it seems like lots of them are still doing well with a lower FEV1 than you currently have. As you have kept your % stable for a few years hopefully you can continue to do that for many more,

[Alberta56]

I hope Tia has reassured you. I don't know what the figures mean. No-one explained them to me, but I hope you are still doing reasonably well.

[tomc]

I was told I am running on 40%....and that anything over 50% is moderate . Making ME.... severe. but I do fine as long as i do what the doctors (and my wife) tell me to do. so, keep on doing what you're doing cause your doing fine.

[casey16gatsby]

I was able to function reasonably well until I got under 30% -- Very Severe. I was able to function until I got under 20% . Right before my Double Lung Transplant-- my last two tests were 16% and 12% -- I was not functioning! At 50% --I was great; even able to run a bit.

Now after my DLT -- I'm at 102% for my age group (69). Thanks

[jackdup in reply to casey16gatsby]

Wow, that is really wonderful to hear. I am glad you are doing well. It must have been a long road recovering from a double lung transplant.

[casey16gatsby]

Thanks jackup -- Yes it was, but well worth it. I was within months of dying and now my life is better than it's been since I was diagnosed in 2002; of course age has to be considered and I am 20 years older!! My COPD was caused by the genetic condition Alpha 1 Anti Trypsin Deficiency . Being able to breath again is a modern medical miracle. My surgery was long (12 hours) and my recovery slow -- due to how deteriorated I was. I spent 44 days on a feeding tube. 49 days in the hospital -- that is much longer than the typical lung transplant patient. A significant number are out in 2 weeks approx. By the six month mark I was doing well -- and since then my efforts have been on gaining strength back etc. Ass of now I'm doing great!

JCL

[jackdup in reply to casey16gatsby]

Once again that is wonderful to hear. I can’t imagine going through what you did but as you say well worth it after all that you endured. I was in the hospital for 9 days following a surgery in Dec and couldn’t wait to get out so it must have been a real struggle and am very happy things have turned out as well as they have for you. It is really very encouraging to hear stories such as yours. Stay well and I hope your life has been extended by decades.

[Karenanne61]

FEV1 is calculated taking the 'Volume that has been exhaled at the end of the first second of forced expiration' (??????) and height, weight, gender etc. Many of us manage with lower FEV1s but it takes a lot of work. Keeping healthy, eating well, excercise etc.