I'm 34 with 52% lung capacity and COPD.

[COPD33]

I was diagnosed at 33 after going to the er with severe chest pains. Anytime my lungs get flared up I need to basically throw up the excess mucus but breath way better after. I just need advice period. I was diagnosed last year and haven't made it back to the doctor yet. My overall question honestly is what advice do you have for someone newly diagnosed?

[Cappuccinolife]

hi. There are lots of people on here who have much better knowledge than me. Im newly diagnosed and my gp advised the most important thing I can do is exercise and so I have joined the curves gym.

I hope you get some answers.

[sassy59]

Welcome to the forum COPD33. You definitely need to see a doctor as soon as you can. Are you on any medication? I wish you well and hope you get all the support you need. Do exercise and eat healthily and keep away from anyone with a cold, flu etc. Stay as well as you can.

Take care xxx

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum. You can still live a good life with COPD. Exercise and seeing a doctor are excellent ideas. You need advice on how to clear that beastly mucus. Hopefully there will be a qualified respiratory person in your area. ( Provision seems very variable throughout the country.) Best of all a course of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which will show you how much exercise you can do without overdoing it. There is good advice available on the Asthma and Lung web site on breathing techniques and other aspects of healthy living, and they do various booklets you can send for. Finally I would ask your doctor to prescribe a gadget called an AeroBika. I found mine invaluable in helping to bring up mucus. Good luck and best wishes.

[Swizzy]

You are very young to have copd. A diagnosis following a visit to er is not very reliable as there are other conditions which could give you the symptoms that you describe and are often mistaken for copd by doctors whose knowledge and experience is limited to dealing with copd. One such is bronchiectasis which needs specialist diagnosis by ct scan and people of all ages can live with and manage it. You need to see a specialised respiratory consultant and have proper investigations.

[Caspiana]

I have to agree with Swizzy. How did they diagnose you with COPD with one visit to the ER? I would question this hasty diagnosis. You definitely need to see a specialist to get a proper diagnosis. It is hard to advise when it is a bit unclear. The best advice I can give is see a specialist, and soon. I hope you will update us on your progress. Sending Best wishes.

Cas 🤗

[COPD33]

I'm sorry guys, the er didn't diagnose. A lung specialist did. The er actually thought it was my heart, so had to see a heart doc. I saw a pulmonary doctor as well since I've had a cough for years and get pneumonia yearly.I've been a smoker for 23 years, my mom has copd even though she's never smoked.

[Patk1 in reply to COPD33]

The single best thing you can do,with already having lung probs,is stop smoking.chemist offer a wide range of help.but it's yr choice,of course.given yr symptoms,I'd request a ct scan,to ensure nothing else contributing to yr symptoms.yr doing well to get mucous up,it'll help reduce infections.drink plenty of fluids to keep it thinner + do remain active as exercise works the lungs. do start to protect yrself frm viruses - handgel,masks, viral blockers eg coldzyme throat spray& vicks rescue nose spray.- they do work( I use if with people,at home or out,b4 mixing with them). Its important as infections+ flare ups can cause more damage. Go back to yr dr as they need to know yr symptoms,how u are etc.theyre yr main healthcare provider,for meds,sick notes,tests,referrals etc

[COPD33 in reply to Patk1]

What options are there to help with quiting?

[JHutton1994 in reply to COPD33]

Zyban, Champix, nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalator, switching to vaping, many options. Only thing that worked for me was Zyban nearly a year smoke free now.

[COPD33 in reply to JHutton1994]

Thank you.

[Karenanne61 in reply to COPD33]

I went to a 'COPD and me' meeting and they offered a free quit smoking course. I can't remember if it's nhs or surgery led. I'm sure the nurses from ALUK can advise if you contact them. I also want to reiterate that keeping healthy, both physically and mentally is SO important. To start off contact your gp about pulmonary rehab. Good luck!

[Ern007]

I take it you are from the US if you visited Emergency Room.-Here it's A&E.

Really after a diagnsis from the ER - Not easy tocomment. COPD is diagnosed with a series of tests including a spiro.

My advice is get your doctor to explain what has happened and get some treatment. COPD caught early isnot a death sentance but, you should be reviewed yearly for any changes.

Common sense is not to smoke and keep away for irritants like perfumed candles., and plug in air freshneners ect. Main thing is get a treatment plan with your doctor.

Welcome to the forum.

[COPD33 in reply to Ern007]

I'm sorry, I didn't put proper detail before. I went to the er and couldn't go back to work without a medical release from a cardiologist. So I went to that and had stress tests. Due to history and years of coughing, I saw a lung specialist and had multiple tests done. No CT, cardiologist said my hearts great, but lung specialist is who diagnosed COPD with 52% lung capacity. I've been steadily cutting back on smoking and am on trilogy spiriva which does make a huge difference.

[Ern007 in reply to COPD33]

Make sence - I was diagnosed COPD with a GP, but was refferred to a lung specialist. I smoked them (29 years ago) and my lungs in a mess , I stopped and I did improve soworth the effort, my last spiro in 2020 I was 48, not sure what I am now.

Try and keep cutting until you are smoke free, really does help COPD.

[COPD33 in reply to Ern007]

Definitely will. I'm a young mom, I want to be around for grandkids. My youngest is 6, so Definitely have to quit.

[O2Trees]

Have you had any bloodwork done COPD33? There is a blood test for a condition called Alpha-1-Antitrypsan (probably spelt that wrong) deficiency - basically an enzyme deficiency which causes genetic copd in younger people. If you have had bloodwork done then that has probably been covered but might be worth asking your pulmonary consultant. Welcome!

[COPD33 in reply to O2Trees]

No, the pulmonary doc didn't. But my original general practice doc had a few times. What indicators would be present? I'm currently looking for a new doc because my original one didn't want to run any tests I asked for and her response to my constant elevated white blood cell count was to lose more weight. Mind you I'm 5'6" and barely 130lbs.

[O2Trees]

The symptoms are more or less like standard copd. Since you have smoked for so many years you probably do just have ordinary copd, but given your young age it might be useful to have the blood test just to rule out A-1-A. It's a test often given to people who are unusually young to have been dxd with copd, but those are often people who have never smoked. Re your mother btw, around 20% of people with copd have never smoked.

Does sound like you need a better doctor - you certainly are not overweight at 130lbs. With copd it's important NOT to lose too much weight, as if you have a serious flare-up you can lose weight and become too thin. So much for your current doctor!

[Mopsey1897]

Not smoking is vital to your health and will slow down the progression. Exercise is important to keep your lungs as healthy as possible and will help with your breathing. I got diagnosed early this year with COPD and emphysema with 40% lung function. Luckily I’d given up smoking a year previously. I got myself a small home treadmill which I use a few times a week. Keep away from people who aren’t well and get vaccinated for flu etc if you’re happy to have them. I don’t get mucus so can’t help with that. As suggested, get tested for the gene that may have caused your disease as you’re very young to have lung disease. Try not to worry too much as there is plenty that can be done to help you. There are treatment options of valves inserted in your lung amongst other treatments if you’re suitable for them. The people on here are great for cheering sufferer’s up and for advice. Take care x

[Loopylorre]

Welcome to the group, you have already been given good advice, definitely worth getting a lung function test, if you haven’t already, pulmonary rehab is a great source of knowledge too, also good to meet others with the same problem, you will get lots of information from PR on helping yourself to stay fit & healthy, CT scans are good for determining what COPD you have, take care, keep us updated on how you’re doing 😊💐🤶🎄 xx

[COPD33 in reply to Loopylorre]

Thank you

[Germantara]

Hi I've was diagnosed about think 6 or 7 year ago I'm now 63 and to be honest I'm not clued up on copd even though that's my issue you will hopefully get some good advise on the forum there fantastic in there knowledge off health issues through experience