i have just been diagnosed with copd, but cant find out if it always results in death, or can we go into a remission phase, please help me out.
i want to know everything i can get hold of whether it is bad or good news. thanks folks hope someone out there can fill me in.
COPD is not at death sentence. You don't say at what stage you are, but if you are in the early stages and take care of yourself properly the chances are you'll die of something else entirely. Taking care of yourself means stopping smoking if you are a smoker. It also means exercising and keeping your lungs in tip top shape. You can to a degree improve how well your lungs function. Human beings are "over-engineered" so that even when some part of our vital organs are impaired we can still go on to live active lives.
There's lots of good information available about COPD from the NHS and BLF.
It depends what bit of COPD you have as it covers a lot of ailments. Also how severe it is.
If it is emphysema, which is what I have ( severe ), and you don't smoke or stop smoking it shouldn't get any worse and you would probably live as long as you would normally although a bit breathless.
If you can give us a bit more information that would be helpful. I must point out that most of us are ordinary people with lung problems and not professional health people.
For a more informed opinion call the BLF helpline on 03000 030 555 but they are closed over the Christmas period. blf.org.uk/Page/helpline
Last but not least. Not everything you on the web about the bad side of COPD is true.
Oops. Me and AbbyRudi seemed to have posted at abut the same time. 
Hello ladybutterfly,
Welcome to the group. Just been diagnosed with COPD? Well you are most likely in the early stages yet then. I was first diagnosed in the mid 90's and still going. COPD is a blanket term covering several diseases that affect the lungs. Emphysema is probably the most common, and unless you are specific, that is the one most people talk about. As yet there are no cures for COPD, but it is a very sloooow killer, usually taking many years. What you will find though, is that you will get more infections, and your physical performance will reduce over the years.
Your doctor should start you with inhalers and steroid tablets to help you control your breathing. You should also get some tests done so that as things progress, they can be monitored.
Can you do anything about it? YES. Give up smoking if you do smoke. It irritates the lungs, and blocks the blood from taking up as much oxygen as it could otherwise. Lead as active a life as possible. Be physically as fit as you can, without overdoing it. Eat sensibly. Learn as much as you can about which diseases are affecting you, your drugs, and breathing techniques. Just by coming here and asking your question shows you want to fight for life, and that is good. If there is anything you are unsure of, or want to know more about, just ask. Some one here will answer you. Remember the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask.
I think that's enough from me for now, so I'll finish by wishing you a Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.
Johnwr
I was diagnosed with very severe COPD 16 yeas ago .I have followed most of he steps mentioned above by other Health Unlockders.I am still here and making the most of my life.
I joined A Breathe Easy Group(details from BLF)and have made many friends all with similar conditions.
Richard Cornish
Breathe Easy = Friendship
Hello L/B C.O.P.D can cover different respiratory illnesses. I have emphysema and was diagnosed severable years ago. At first cancer was suspected but not so and I feel lucky for that.
I won't tell you all is well because it isn't. I'm getting over a bout of pleurisy and tend to have lung infections at least 4/6Times a year.
I think there maybe remission for some depending on illness age e.t.c.
I am now 65 and don't know when I will die. I wish I could help you but I don't think I can on that subject. I have stopped smoking to give myself a fighting chance.
I really feel for you it is so scary when you are first told. I would leave the internet alone if I were you apart from this site of course. On here you are chatting with people who are in the same place as you and will tell you the truth but can also give you peace of mind. Please ask questions no matter how silly you think they are it may be something we all want to know.
Take care ladybutterfly I look forward to reading your blogs.
Gina x
Whoops no one had answered before. I hope we haven't swamped poor L/B
I can only echo everyone else. I am 57 and have moderate COPD. It doesn't stop me from doing anything I did before.
I only found out about my COPD after I gave up smoking. I still work (for myself), travel the country doing it and have a very positive outlook.
Key things? Don't smoke, get and stay fit with aerobic exercise, have a healthy BMI and eat the right things. Get flu and pneumonia jabs, avoid colds as far as you can and learn when you have the first signs of a chest infection as you will need immediate antibiotics. Many of us are given a supply to keep at home.
I can't say I will live forever but I reckon I have a lot of years left in me yet. I plan to be at least 90 like my Dad was.
Lynne xx
Hello ladybutterfly,I'm sorry about your diagnosis and understand your fears,nobody knows how long their journey in life will take,but how well you live can make a big difference,not just physicaly but your mental attitude and disposition.
My Mum died from heart failure brought on by Emphysema which seemed to develop quickly after my younger brother took his own life on Boxing Day,
around that time I was in my thirties and struggling with getting my breath going up hills,I knew I had problems developing but carried on smoking..I wanted to stop but things kept happening to stress me out..
Mum died aged 70,she lived in fear of my elder brother drowning when fishing at sea, I can still hear her saying 'be careful',and just ten months later he drowned whilst trying to get his net in when a freak wave hit his little boat.he was 42 and trying to get some money together for Christmas.
then my 2nd marriage broke up,my Dad was very ill with R.A. and I looked after him for two years and then he died,he was 70 as well,a broken man losing his sons so tragically.
I carried on smoking until I was 49, I knew the breathlessness was making it hard for me in my job which was physicaly demanding, I got the patches from the doctors and after I stopped I went back and got the diagnosis...I asked the GP if I could have a test to find out if it was genetic and she said dont be silly you'd be dead already!...that was over eight years ago and last week after having tests done I was told it was genetic from both sides of my family!
I guess the moral of my story is dis-ease in life and stress can give you disease....and there is never going to be a 'stress-free' episode in life when its 'the right time' to stop smoking you just have to make the decision and stick with it.....listen and take on board what all of these lovely copders have advised...and embrace life! and living! with all your being! Hope your Christmas is Blessed and your New Year also,wishing you a good one,Carol x
COPD definately not a death sentence. I understand how worried you are at getting such a diagnosis but try not to fret too much. BLF will send you their bumph if you ask them and that will give you some information.
We are all here to listen and support each other. We all understand.
Bev xx
Hi , I was diagnosed with progressive advanced COPD in May 2012 , and I cannot walk more tan 10 yards without having to stop gasping for breath ! In my case its getting worse , and I`m only 46 , I dont want to sound pessimistic , just telling the truth . If you have mild COPD , I suggest giving up smoking if you still smoke . I have been trying to stop for 8 months and I cant , so basicaly I`m killing myself , I hope to give up soon , but its hard , I have been rushed to hospital 13 times since may (see my blog) , I really hope you are a mild case , if so you will be fine as long as you follow your doctors orders , good luck and take care .
Hi andyglass, you sound just like me 3 years ago before I gave up smoking. You must really give a good go, I'd tried upteen times over the years yet that last time I knew I really was on my last legs. Amazingly, it was very easy. No-one was more surprised than me. I used the nicotine lozenges (Tesco own brand cheapest I found). I didn't throw my cigs away, just said I'll go an hour and see how I feel, after an hour try another hour and so on. During the first couple of weeks I'd lit about six cigs but put them out very quickly, they just didn't seem the same. The difference in my breathing was pretty instant and amazing! Three years down the line I am continuing to worsen, but at least I've had those three years of being quite a bit better, and am still not as bad as I was before I quit. 3 friends and family gave up after me, saying well if you can give up anyone can give up! I really was a die hard smoker. Have not read your blog, but will right now! Best of luck LIbby x
Hi again andyglass, read your previous comments now. I was like you, the year prior to giving up the cigs I was hospitalised 3 times in 2 months, not being able to breath turned into hyperventilation and the last time I swear the paramedics arrived just in time. I had the tiniest bit of breath, about an inch (I think you'll know what I mean!). I had gone from sheer terror to calm acceptance and I know I wasn't far from death. Since the third time, I've not been hospitalised again but my consultant told my doc to let me have lorazepam 1mg, half a one under the tongue at the first sign of hyperventilation. This works wonders and I can most times even manage without the lorazepam now by using breathing techniques. There is a chap on here called John and I will try and find his blog on breathing techniques for you and send it to you later. All the best, Libby x
You may like to read my blog. It contains lots of personal information and more. Visit bitz-and-bobz.co.uk/copd
I am 81yrs. Had breathing problems from the early 1990s but not really diagnosed until last year and not COPD until this year.So that was about 20yrs of shortness of breath and doing my heart no good.
Since diagnosis I am certainly no worse as I now have ambulatory Oxygen, the correct medication, and know how to manage my needs.
A positive attitude and a sense of humour essential and you'll go on for years!!
I have had copd for about 4-5 years, it doesnt need to stop you from doing most things but stopping smoking is a must because I found that until I gave up I was constantly out of breath, I've no idea how long it takes to progress to being severe but I feel I've a long way to go yet,I always have antibiotics in case of infections and luckily I havn't been in hospital with breathing problems as yet touch wood, I am 62 and used to smoke about 20 cigs a day but its also in my genes as both parents had copd,medication has improved so much more nowadays and as long as we look after ourselves with a good diet and plenty of exercise life can be of reasonable quality, have a lovely breathe easy xmas.
Teigy1
copd is degenerative it can be controlled by medication, unfortunately you have to be aware this will not get better it can be slowed down by using inhalers and by not smoking, i have copd was diagnosed in 2009 i had to give up my work and am now on long term sick s my lung capacity is at 52%
Mild COPD 
mild copd
Copd exacerbation
COPD
COPD
