GP thinks I have COPD. As quit smokin... - Lung Conditions C...
GP thinks I have COPD. As quit smoking 20yrs ago (tho was heavy smoker age 13-33) how can this be? Any info please - am scared of future.
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Hi Skipgirl
Welcome to the web community.
Please try not too be too frightened (easy for me to say).
Cigarettes can cause damage to the airways and lungs that doesn't show up for many years. There are many different treatments that can help to alleviate the symptoms of COPD such as breathlessness, coughing, wheeze etc. We speak to people daily who live with COPD and continue to enjoy the things they normally do, they may need to do things slower than others and take more care (eg) in certain weather conditions.
There are also different levels of COPD starting with mild, a lot of people don't even know they have it.
So, your GP suspects COPD this dosen't mean you have COPD - is your GP going to do a spirometry test? This taken with a person's history is an excellent way to see what is happening in the lungs and can also indicate asthma.
I hope i haven't overwhelmed you - we are here on 03000 030 555 Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm.
Please do call for further information, and try not to panic as this can make your breathing worse.
Very best wishes
Jo
Thanks for the info, Jo - have had spiro test & chest x-ray & am about to start taking new drug (to me) Tiotropium Bromide. Will just have to see how I go!
A GP who thinks you have COPD, is not as good as a consultant who can diagnose what lung condition if any you may have. Ask your thinking GP for a referral to a respiratory consultant for the diagnoses. Check in with the BLF helpline for further suggestions on what to ask your doctor.
You need a proper diagnosis, come back and let us know how you get on.
Keeping fingers crossed for you.
Thanks, Zoee - will do
As Zoee says, get your doctor to refer you to a consultant. This is the only way to be diagnosed correctly and get the right treatment should it be necessary.
Am due to go back to GP in a month, once I've been on new (to me) drug, so will ask then about referal to Consultant. Thanks for your reply
I was diagnosed with COPD by a nurse. Never seen a doctor about it or a consultant! Should I have? Also should I have a chest x-ray every so often. My last one was about 7 years ago - 4 years before I was diagnosed. It showed hyper expansion of my lungs. I have now been told I am just out of the COPD range....I'm confused.
Bev x
Doctors are ok but to get a proper diagnosis its best to see a consultant. Before I saw one I had difficulty breathing and walking 10 feet. After a proper diagnosis I was given the correct medicines and its so much better.
When I saw mine at the hospital I had breathing tests carried out in a sealed cubicle which stops any outside influence. I also had a CT scan as emphysema doesn't show up on an Xray as far as I now. No wonder they are not sure abut your lung problem hypercat.
hi , i stopped smoking in 1969. diagnosed with COPD in 1984 told life expectancy was about 2 years, now aged 77, but i worked at British rail working in the environment with blue asbestos, they say i have COPD due to past smoking, i doubt this as i was never a heavy smoker,i still have panic attacks but have leaned how to cope with them, so good luck. brian
Hi I know its hard getting your head around it. I have recently been diagnosed with COPD and really still did not believe it until I had results of lung function tests. Its better to know though to enable you to manage it. I was hospitalised back in August with the first chest infection I have ever had. Since then I have taken 3 inhalers every day - had my flu , pneumonia vaccination and stopped smoking and I have been well ever since - not even had to see my GP. I know its hard but just to let you know Im fine and you will be too. Take care
you go girl x
skipgirl there isno need to worry you need to find out just how advanced you condition is .GP is all very well, but they can only go so far as to see what is the symptoms are and breathing problems come under so many different headings ! so a specialist diagoses will determin what form of lung condition you have ...by which the correct treatment can be prescribed.......... best thing though do not worry been where you are, and worry pulls yu down .smile be happy, like us poorly sufferers are.bless you
Thanks, Oxytic - it's been great to have feedback from people like yourself who have been there and done that! I will be going back to my GP in 2/3 weeks to see how I'm doing on the drug he prescribed (Tiotripium) and I will ask to see a specialist then.
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