lung reserve

[darceynjo]

Hi can anybody explain to me what the specialist at the hospital means when she says to me "you have no reserve left in your lungs" Thanks Julia

[davidbryn]

i think it means your lungs have expanded to the ribs and cant expand futher , thats what they told me in 1984 when i was diagnosed with COPD. when you try to put effort into any task its a terrible feeling.

[darceynjo in reply to davidbryn]

Thankyou, I wonder if that is why i get the feeling that sometimes my lungs are trying to burst out of my ribcage, thanks once again and take care

[davidbryn in reply to darceynjo]

that's about how it feels. exactly. i have had COPD for 28 years, i was working as normal one day then two weeks later after tests i could no longer work and had to retire at the ripe old age of 49...you can imagine the frustration of not being able to work after all the hours i worked self employed. no one BUT NO ONE can prepare you for that feeling.. so take care and look after yourself as best you can..

[darceynjo in reply to davidbryn]

thankyou I have asked this question before but nobody would explain, glad you just have x