Have I got COPD

[Responder1]

Hi. I had the puff test. The nurse told me I have early stages of COPD. I have no cough. No flem. Sp02 of 98. I have had a chest xray. Came back clear. I am SOB.could there be somthing else underlying. I asked the nurse but to no avail.

[Hidden]

Is hard one ... What took you to your GP to do x-ray and COPD test's

[Responder1 in reply to Hidden]

I gave up fags in Sep 12. In March 13 I was getting short of breath. The Doc sent me for xray to check lungs and size of Heart. All came back clear. He advised I see nurse for puff test.

[elian]

Hello Responder1 and welcome to the community

If you are in any doubt, or anxious, about your diagnosis then do ring the British Lung Foundation Helpline on 03000 030 555. Their lines are open 10am - 6pm Monday to Friday and there are trained nurses there who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

I hope you'll enjoy your stay with us and look forward to seeing more of you on the blogs and message boards.

Please let us know how you get on, but in the meantime........ keep on keeping on

[Lynne1955]

Hi responder. I think you need more information from your nurse/GP.

I am moderate with COPD (emphysema) and have no cough, no phlegm and my oxygen is generally 99%

Lynne xx

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I have very severe with emphysema. I normally have no cough or phlegm unless I get a bit of an infection. My oxygen at rest is about 93%.

Am I bovvered ? Unless I get an infection no I'm not ! I carry on regardless.

[grannybell]

I have severe COPD but have no cough or phlegm unless I get an infection. Oxygen at rest 92-94%. I try not to worry about it too much.

[Hidden]

All good advice ... Its amazing how you can go from fit and well to being breathless most of the time in such a short period

Hope you start feeling better try mot to worrie

All the best

[Kazz51]

I was told 2 months ago that i'm in early stages of copd...no cough, just get out of breath easy. Symptoms of copd are usually given as starting with a cough so this has always confused me...interesting to hear how many people have no cough even in more advanced stages. I haven't been given any figures re oxygen levels or anything, i've just made another appt with nurse in 2weeks to try get more info....if there's anything specific i should be asking i'd be grateful for any tips

.

[Sym_Bicort]

Hi All,

Oxygen at rest (SpO2) is not a definitive indicator of COPD. Your FEV1/FVC ratio post-bronchodilator (after 4 puffs of the blue inhaler) is the key figure. If that ratio is below 0.7 (or 70% as it is sometimes written) then that can be indicative of COPD. Your FEV1 % defines the severity of the COPD (FEV1% at 80% or above is early stage COPD).

Did you have a CT scan? COPD will not always show up on a normal x-ray, but a CT scan provides a more accurate image. In mild or borderline cases of COPD, it is not unheard of for there to be discrepancies between the scan and the spirometry test.

Let us know how you get on with the repeat spirometry test. It may help if you have a list of questions prepared in advance to ask the nurse in the event of your spirometry test being all clear.

If it is COPD, you have already done the best thing - quit smoking!

[music in reply to Sym_Bicort]

hi sym... i have moderate COPD my FEV1/FVC ratio after bronchodilator is 68% and 62% before bronchodilator

my FEV1 before bronchodilation is 2.67 and after bronchodilation 2,83

would you think my COPD is bad,, has just cant seem to get my head around it all

[Sym_Bicort in reply to music]

Do you have a % value for your FEV1 result?

[music in reply to Sym_Bicort]

no it just says.. please note that change to FEV1 is less then 400mis or 20% therefore results are suggestive of COPD

[brooksju]

It may well be to do with giving up the ciggys, I found after a few months of giving up I felt more breathless to begin with and then it improved again, I would still check with nurse or GP, hope things get better for you soon x

Ju