could this ever happen

[music]

I know once you have COPD thats it you got it but if you look after yourself could your FEV1 OR FEV1/FVC readings get better..could you ever go from sevear back to moderate.

[hufferpuffer]

Yes. When I was first diagnosed I was 39% fev1, that was 2003, since giving up smoking and taking the meds, making sure I exercise by walking every day, ten years on I'm now 45%, so yes, I know I'm still severe but feel better than I have done in the past! keep positive, live for each day, exercise your lungs with breathing exercises when you have a peaceful moment, believe it can be achieved and see what happens! x

[music in reply to hufferpuffer]

wow 10 years gives me good hope thank you huffer

[music in reply to hufferpuffer]

hufferpuffer may i ask because you are severe if you are on oxegen

[hufferpuffer in reply to music]

Hi music, I'm not on oxygen at the moment but I have a 'walk' test coming up in a couple of weeks to see if I will be able to have it for when I'm exercising/walking/ gardening! hope so, best to look at it for what it is, medicine to protect the ole ticker and other organs, my sats drop to the 80's when I walk.

[Gordon57]

Short answer is yes, you could, but it all depends on how you were when the original readings were taken. Chances are that a first spirometry test is done because a suspicion of COPD is present. The GP then gives some treatment, the problem settles down and a better reading will be seen next time. Not always of course, but it's possible.

In general though you stabilise rather than improve, you can continue with medication for years and slow down the degeneration taking place. We're all falling to bits slowly anyway, once you're aware that you have COPD you tend to take better care of yourself and that will obviously help.

My readings change between visits as one will be to the hospital and another to the surgery, they use different equipment so I can look forward to being told I've got a little worse when the hospital do it, and being a bit better when it's done at the surgery

Until they develop some wonder medication that does the job of a team of mini plasterers, repairing the damaged walls of the lungs to a more presentable finish, we're all in the job of preservation rather than renovation

[music in reply to Gordon57]

great answer has always gordon thanks so much

[pedantic]

I echo music,great answer Gordon

[downfield]

Quote = Music

''I know once you have COPD thats it you got it but if you look after yourself could your FEV1 OR FEV1/FVC readings get better..could you ever go from sevear back to moderate.''

Hi Music unless I am much mistaken I think what you are talking about here is 'reversibility'.

This is a recent Blog which says it contains 'The Definitive Explanation to COPD', maybe I am missing something because to me it seems to be saying there isn't any reversibility in COPD..

Quote= Blog

''COPD is defined by it's characteristically low air flow - spirometry used to measure the airflow - the low air flow is not reversible and gets worse over time. Whereas with asthma the restriction/low air flow is reversible. ''

blf.healthunlocked.com/blog...

I still don't know whether or not I have COPD or not I and am waiting for the results on a HDCT scan, I have many of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis which of course comes under the heading of COPD .

I do however have a degree of reversibility since being prescribed Seretide.

I get very confused by what appears to me to be conflicting opinions.

Maybe if you have reversibility it means you have a degree of Asthma and COPD.

[Lynne1955]

I'm with hufferpuffer. If you make the real effort, it can improve.

I might have to eat my words, but my extra exercise has meant I know I am better than I was. Proper tests around June.

Lynne xx

[music in reply to Lynne1955]

hi lnne if you can remember i would love to know the outcome of your test in june

best wishes

music

[Hidden]

Hello Music, Downfield is right - there is no reversibility, emphysema is permanent damage to your lungs. But you can increase your stamina and lung power by exercising and decrease your susceptibility to infections by eating healthily. Even after stopping smoking, the damage to your lungs does continue to deteriorate but by continuing to exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle it can be slowed down.

This is a link to NHS Direct, which gives a full explanation of the disease.

nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-o...

George

[hufferpuffer]

Hello Music, I thought I should mention my doctor said last year I may have Asthma as well and a spirometry test can fluctuate by 5% last year I was 37%. the year before I was 44%.Whats more important than numbers though, is how you feel. x

[music]

thanks for all replys.. i do know its not reversible but just wonder well hope that you can inprove your spirometry readings a little by looking after yourself a bit more i have stopped smoking and do exercise a lot now but just need to start eating more healthy has i must admit i do like a few pints and a burger now and again...its funny that for years i have tryed to pack up smoking but just could not keep it up i would get to a few days then start again. but being told i have this copd just frightend me so i just stopped

I really thought it was a death sentence after looking at some of them american web sites and did not think i could cope but thank god i found the BLF web site

[downfield]

Hi Music I think the main think is to prevent the lungs from deteriorating further.

It goes without saying no smoking, eating a good diet containing fish/fruit and vegetables, taking regular exercise to maintain stamina and avoiding germs.

I go shopping early before many people are about to avoid picking up germs and I use alcohol wipes on the shopping trolley. Having had a couple of episodes of Pseudomonas in addition to chest infections I am paranoid about catching things. I also walk across the fields every day well wrapped up with my dog whatever the weather or how ill I feel, I think once you stop and lose stamina it is difficult to build it back up again.

[Hidden]

Well I was diagnosed with mild COPD about 3 years ago. I have also had asthma for many years. On my last check just before christmas I was told my fev gone up from 62 pc to 73 pc taking me out of the COPD range. The nurse reckons that before it was poorly controlled asthma and now that I am on proper medication I don't have COPD any more! Very strange....

Bev x

[music in reply to Hidden]

well done bev..so pleased for you

[O2Trees]

In my area - East Kent - research has been carried out over a year into the benefits of singing for people with copd. Several Breathe Easy groups were involved, including mine. The results showed varying levels of FEV1 reversibility for virtually everyone who took part. There are singing for breathing groups in some parts of the country and singing groups all over the place. Everyone is our BE group was dubious about taking part ("I cant sing" etc) but everyone was persuaded and quickly loved it. Although the research has finished, the group members have taken over the group and are running it for themselves.

[music in reply to O2Trees]

this is very intresting has i love singing but sometimes find now if its a long verse i cant get to the end without needing to take a breath just like finishing a sentance ( sorry about spelling )

[O2Trees in reply to music]

People's ability to breathe while singing - and generally - improved hugely. But if you are singing in a group it doesnt matter if you have to pause to breathe as there will be the others singing so no-one will know

People from the BLF were involved on the steering group of the research project. Your BE development officer at BLF might know if there are any groups in your area if you wanted to give it a try. jean

[meldrum]

l have this problem copd for over 20 years ,and i will 72 n/month,at the present time my lungs are about 50/50 ,and iam arware that as get older it will be harder for me spit up the mucous its only commonsense,copd is a terminal dissease !!!BUT in the mean time i refuse to give in to it,,in a other w/k or i shall be planting tatties ,leeks onion etc and fill 6 h/baskets ,it is very hard..[ so what ] i will do it ! ..i have an other wee problem i have osteoarthritis in my left ankle and both knees,,,,,in fact if i had been a horse the vet would have put me down o' i nearlly forgot i also have high/blood pressure and then there is the piles........onwards and upwards ha ha ha ha

[music in reply to meldrum]

well done.. i think you are copeing well with this nasty copd may i ask if you are on oxegen

[meldrum in reply to music]

my blood count at the moment ,seems alright, i dont really know when oxygen is required

[Jo_BLFHelpline British Lung Foundation]

Hi Music

Yes - improvements in FEV could be achieved through taking the right medication etc but this dosen't really tend to be a dramatic improvement, although a person just into the severe category (30 -49%) could improve to be classed at the lower end of moderate (50 -79%) NICE Clinical Guidelines 2010.

Exercise, keeping a healthy weight, eating more than 5 portions of fruit/veg a day, avoiding colds and bugs and medication can all actively contribute to helping to manage/improve COPD.

Please feel free to call us on 03000 030 555.

Best Wishes

Jo

[music in reply to Jo_BLFHelpline]

thank you joe