15 months ago after a lung function test, I was told I fit the criteria for a lung reduction and since then have had a CT scan, echocardiogram and another lung function test. Yesterday was my appointment at the hospital to find out what was possible. I was told definitely not a transplant and it's very unlikely that a lung reduction or valves would be effective either. The CT scan showed extensive emphysema on all lobes and a recent lung function said I had 31% lung capacity. I forget what he said my Fev1 is. I have to build muscle and fitness and he will see me again in 3 months. The good news is that the community respiratory nurse is giving me the first of a series of pulmonary rehab sessions at home this Thursday. I am trying to be positive, but failing miserably right now. 😢
Not a great start to 2025: 15 months... - Lung Conditions C...
Not a great start to 2025
That’s so disappointing for you PaperQueen but I hope the pulmonary rehab sessions will help. Wishing you well. Xxx🩵🩷💜
Thank you x
Hi chook, sorry it's not a good start for you but you have your nurse trying to help you with your exercise plans, all mine keeps telling me is use it or lose it 😊 that's great coming from someone that can breath properly (and she smokes). Pot and kettle comes to mind. I'm trying yet another inhaler that doesn't seem to work for me. Keep trying chook that's all you can do and keep posting. Does help to talk 😉
Thanks, I am trying. x
wishing you the best at this hard time 😊🥰 it’s hard to keep positive when things are going wrong please remember tomorrow is a new day an hopefully you will start to feel better soon I hope the sessions help you sending you a virtual hug 💕xx
Thanks Yvonneh x
your more than welcome take care 💕xxx
Oh PaperQueen that’s a disappointing end to the year.
Personally I loathe this time of year. Too cold for me to go outside and too many winter bugs to spend time socialising. Bah!
I’m consoling myself with the thought that at least the year has turned. With warmer, lighter days I’ll hopefully start to put more enthusiasm into my indoor exercise routine.
I think most people on this site know how downhearted setbacks can make you.
Maybe your Pulmonary Rehab sessions will improve your lung capacity and help you feel better. I know PR has really helped me in the past.
Take care
Rattled
Hi Queen ...It might not be a great start ...but following a regime of exercise from home even if it's from sitting in a chair with a bag of sugar to walking around as best as you can ...In 3 months time you will be 3 months stronger than you are now .
Little steps turn into big steps you will do amazing things and surprise yourself..
Head up big smile and put that best foot forward have a dance 💃 😄 Take care of you 😊 ❤️
Wishing you well PaperQueen. Hope your pulmonary rehab goes well xx
It's not the news you were hoping for but at least the pulmonary rehab will be helpful and could make a significant difference to your chances of future treatment. If nothing else it should help you to feel better than you do now.
I hope all goes well.
Best wishes!
Xx Moy
At least now you know where you stand and can move forward, don't be down hearted we can all improve. It's great news that you have the nurse coming who I am sure will help lift your spirits and get you on the right track for exercise. I start with great enthusiasm but it soon wears of so maybe she will keep you going well. I wish you all the best for 2025 x
I wish you the best and hope the pulmonary rehab gets you in a position to be able to get better news in 3 months time
The timing of your appointment at the commencement of a new year probably heightened your disappointment. But as others have said, you are on a new path now, and with support from the rehab nurse can tread forward with exercises that are designed to strengthen you. So there isx real hope that your condition and health will indeed improve. Come Springtime, I hope there is more zip in your stride. ❤️✨
Hello, Happy New Year,
I expect you are disappointed with all the results of the tests and the final decision of the consultant not to put you forward for any further major treatments.
At least they had a good look at the options to see what might be possible. I too asked about LV reduction or valves to be told the same which is that I don’t have enough good collateral airways to cope with it.
PR will definitely help and I hope you enjoy the course. Knowledge and a fitness programme really makes a difference.
After 21 years of living with this condition there is always something to learn and work on to keep myself as well as possible. Not always easy but always worth it.
Go well
Pauline
So sorry all your hopes have been dashed.
Pulmonary Rehab can make a difference, so give it your best shot. Also consider singing for lung health - groups are listed on the ALUK website. If there's not a group near you, look up diaphragm singing videos on YouTube xx
Sorry you're at a low ebb. i hope the PR will be a help and that the new Year will bring better things. xxx
What a disappointment to find lung reduction and valves will not help. I really feel for you Paper Queen. I have found that excercise and pulmonary Rehab have really helped me. I would work as hard as possible with the excercises at home and see how you are in 3 months. Try not to let the news bring you down . Thinking of you and wishing you a healthier 2025 xxx❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much everyone for your words of wisdom and encouragement, I really, really appreciate them. I had decided before the consultation that I was going to view it as a positive whatever the decision was, and succeeded until the following afternoon, then everything came crashing down. I've just been feeling so isolated recently, with a really bad virus or something and no mobility scooter to be able to get out, so the black dog of depression took hold. BUT, I have written a page of resolutions, the days are getting longer, there is more light and I'm too bloody pig-headed to keep down for long.....so, I WILL get through this. Thank you all again, love you to bits ❤️ Sally xxxxxx
Well done sally !! I’m so pleased you are taking a different approach to this and have managed to pick yourself up again ( I think my virtual hug worked 🤣) Theres always a positive against a negative and I’m sure you will get there thinking of you lots of love yvonne xxx
Of course your hug worked Yvonne! xx
G'day PaperQueen,
My journey started off with a feeling of breathlessness. As I had a previous cardiac history I had blood tests done as well as an Echocardiogram which eliminated heart failure. GP put me on Easyhaler (Blue one) with Sulbutamol which I'm still using.
So now I've just had Spirometry with Reversibility tests done and am waiting results, hopefully this week sometime. I personally suspect Asthma - so your comments are interesting, along with the comments of others. Asthma wouldn't surprise me as it tends to run in different generations of my Dads side of the family.
For the benefit of Mellywelly ......... I started smoking at around age 17/18 stopped in 1985 aged 41 ............. LUNGS SORTED ... iz all ! 😂😂😱
John
Well, if your diagnosis does turn out to be asthma, I do hope they can manage it effectively for you. I do believe, as you say, that it is one of those inherited things. None in my family thankfully. Good luck!
PaperQueen,
Thank you. I have been preparing myself by reading up on Asthma online referring only to the more "professional" online resources, such as NHS and/or Lung Conditions etc. etc. No doubt there is more to explore. I hold the view I gotta educate myself to know how much 'Bull Sh..' I'm being fed by others.
That said, I'm sure that my GP will support me well. 😊
This did make me chuckle 🤭 I’ve found out most about my copd emphysema through this site to be honest , and I’m still learning xxx
Hope everything works out well for you. xx
Happy New Year PaperQueen let's hope that 2025 will be a turning point for the better for you,just put the old year behind you now & look forward to the new,it is truly amazing how with your PR sessions & advice & help from your very caring nurse that when you return in 3 months time,you will be delighted by the turnaround,please don't be downhearted as it is totally amazing how things can turn out much better than what we first thought they would,you are a very POSITIVE lady PaperQueen,so just tell yourself ( I can & I will do this) & I'm sure that you will get surprising results when you return in 3 months time.. I wish you well,& just keep looking on the bright side & all will turn out better for you..With much love 💘 & may God bless you always.. Primrose 123..xxx ( Maria)..
I'm so sorry you are upset cos of your bad news.
Hopefully the rehab sessions will help
Sorry you are having to deal with such disappointing news. Hoping the rehab sessions can help. Take care PaperQueen. xx
Stay positive. Never give up. You have been presented with a path, plan. Part of getting better moving forward. That is good not bad!!
You must overcome the setbacks step by step. They will always be there and continue to detract and try to prevent your success. Eventually you will overcome and achieve your goal!!! But you can’t give up and must remain positive and resilient.
You will be rewarded!!
I am feeling more positive now, just had one of those desperate moments. My first exercise session with the community nurse in about 25mins! x
Great good luck sally !🤞 you will smash it I’m sure 😊let us no how you get on with it 🥰xxx I’m glad your feeling more positive 😊🥰💪xxx
Hi paperqueen...so sorry to hear that! It's so disappointing for you... it's hard to be positive maybe pulmonary rehab will make a difference... wishing you well
Stick with it and in 3 months your lungs will be shouting thank you back. It’s a new year time to get a new you.
Take care
Wendy xx
Copd diagnosis 5 years ago now diagnosed with asthma as well 
Doc said that I have lost 8% of my lung function 
I've finally seen a lung consultant ..woo hoo!
Royal Brompton
