Hi,new and questions

[jamamm]

I am a 49 yr old female. Just told ct scan showed early emphysematic changes and scarring. Does this mean i have emphysema 100%? I have pulmonary apt. In Jan. I am a single mom to 6 year old, consuming me. If i quit smoking, can i possibly have normal life expectancy

[jabber]

I don't really know about emphysema, but I do know quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your general health, and in particular for your lungs and heart. It will also be better for your 6 year old to not have a parent who smokes.

The positive aspect of this ct scan is that you are now going to get treatment and medication if needed to prevent your condition worsening, as well as good advice about maintaining your health and fitness. I'm very sure that the first thing they say will be Stop Smoking! That being the case I would think there is every reason to hope you will have a normal life expectancy.

I expect someone will be along soon who knows more about emphysema than I do. In the meantime try not to worry and good luck with your pulmonary appointment.

Let us know how you get on. Jan

[jamamm in reply to jabber]

Ty Jan

[pollie00 in reply to jabber]

The words "stop smoking" sound so simple, but the hardest thing to do....Took me a thousand times quitting along with all the patches, drugs and other junk to help quit and never could it until I became truthful with myself. Picked a day 30 days ahead and told myself every morning when I put the damm thing between my lips and dragged the shit in I would quit on a certain day. The day came and I forgot, but putting the cigg between my lips caused a burning sensation, causing me to remember the day arrived...Therw all I had away and have not smoked since, 7 years ago....Do wish U luck

[frank65 in reply to pollie00]

stopping smoking is hard ??? no it not it depends if you want to or not . just do it

[longlungs]

Hi Jamamm lovely to meet you and merry Christmas. This is a great friendly forum with fantastic help and support full of invaluable information and a few chuckles along the way.

Being given the diagnosis is always a bit mind blowing and scary.If you are at the early stages it really is possible to reverse or kinda stop it from progressing to quickly. Stopping smoking is the priority ,exercise is also very important along with a healthy diet. By coming here any questions just reach out and ask anything that worries you. If you give the BLF a call when they are back in they will send you out a package full of loads of info,and answer any queries that you might have ,they are really lovely and easy to talk to.

So the answer is you should live to a ripe old age providing you takecare if yourself ,including having the Flu and pneumonia jabs for prevention of those horrid infections.As I said very nice to meet you hope to see you again soon and enjoy the rest of the holidays. Blessings to you and breathe easy Janexx

[jamamm in reply to longlungs]

Ty for your reply,.I will call them tomorrow. Merry Christmas

[aberdeenman]

hi I have very severe copd and smoked a long time and thought stopping smoking wouldn't make any diference. but with speaking people on here I know it can help. I know im not going get any better but with stopping smoking I can slow the progression down and lead as near normal life as possible. ive now stopped smoking just over 4 weeks and will be going on pulmonary rehab in new year. it is hard stop smoking but you can do it go for it good luck tam

[Hidden]

Hello, I have very mild COPD. It is my understanding that quiting smoking, good diet, exercise and staying away from severe chest infections will slow the progress down to that of normal aging.

[katieoxo60]

Hi Jamamm, welcome to the site and a Happy Christmas to you. Sounds like your lungs are not AI but if you give up smoking that will prevent them getting worse. I have COPD with scarring and emphysema tendency rather than Bronchitic which I have had for many years with some flare ups, you are young and with care of your health should enjoy a reasonable life. You will have to learn how to manage your problem but it can be done. Seek out all the advice you can find, BLF help line being the best source of course . Hope you keep returning to us as we are experienced on many issues that arise and can often direct you to the right source, but we can't give you medical help you must always see your doctor for that. Hope to speak again soon

[pollyjj]

I cannot answer your question about emphysema but I do know that when you stop smoking you are giving your lungs the best chance you can.

I was diagnosed in my 30's but did not give up until 18 years ago (I am 68) now and wished I had done it earlier I have had a pretty active life until the last few years where I have had to slow down.

The order of the day is Stop smoking, Eat a good diet and Exercise well.

I am sure someone will be along soon with more information.

polly xx

[Hidden]

Hi jamamm nice to meet you and welcome to the site. It sounds like you have mild emphysema and if you follow the advice given you should still lead a long and healthy life.

One thing I will say to you though is to make sure you always take any meds you are prescribed and to take any infections seriously as they can further damage your luns. So if you think anything is wrong don't wait and get yourself up the doctors pronto. They would much rather we saw them and nothing is wrong than not go and something is. Take care. x

[jenss]

Hi Jamamm, please give up smoking to give yourself the best chance for a long and healthy life. Stop googling as well: this will only scare the pants off you. Talk to the BLF and let us know how your apt in Jan goes. Best wishes and all the best for a healthy and happy 2015xxx

[singsing1947]

hi my husband has the same and doctors have told him he wont get any better, but he wont get any worse now he has packed up smoking, so it is worth doing and good luck with apt in January

[Offcut]

Quiting smoking will help improve life full stop. hope all goes well with appointment?

[jamamm]

Hi al. TY for your responses. Yes google has scared the pants off me. My appointment us the 15 , Im trying togo earlierl

[derrylynne]

I have severe emphysema. If you don't stop smoking you will continue to get worse and find you have breathing problems. The good news is if you quit, any deterioration will be very slow and at your present stage may well even halt it. Ask you doctor about a quit smoking programme. If you quit you will have a longer life, better health, and as I found after I quit a decade ago now. A lot more wealth Good luck.

[PaulAllan]

Can I be bit controversial. I gave up smoking (a thing I loved to do) three years last August. I had a heart attack thee years last November. This was quickly followed by Heat Failure, Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary Hypertension, Neuropathy and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. I was reading about a lady who went to the Brompton about her Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. The doctor asked if she smoked and she said yes. He said don't stop as there is evidence that smoking (which may be the nicotine) helps the immune system. There are trials in America looking into it. Very strange that I have been a very healthy person though out my life. In 45 years of work I have been ill for about 3 months with broken leg and an Appendicitis. All of a sudden I am told I am within a few years of my life ending, which all started when I gave up smoking. Don't start smoking is the best thing to do.

[FarmerD]

Hello Jamamm,welcome to our great site.I have very severe emphysema.It is very important with this desease to stop smoking and avoid any strange gases.In my case this means everything from second hand smoke to air fresheners.If you stop now it will curtail the progression of the illness,if you carry on very soon you will find it more and more difficult to breath which is very scary.There are many different methods of stopping,your GP should run a smoking cessation course which you can join.Please stop smoking for your own health and the benefit of your child.Regards D.

[jimmyw123]

the simple answer is yes you must believe this very strongly, to be able to stop.

love jimmy xxxx

please, please give the smoking up, believe me if i can do it you can,,xxx

[binlid]

well ai was heavy smoker for 40 odd years just been diagnosed with copd lung function of 44% i was suddenly having breathing probs in the night then the day and in the space of a week i couldnt walk to another room without an attack got antibiotics saw doc etc and because i was so ill i hadnt realised i hadnt had a fag for 2 weeks and gave not had one since 6 weeks no problem no aids or anything the only thing i want in my lungs is air not smoke. learnt my lessson all be it a bit late. so i would stop if can ,i was really scared o n the breathing issue didnt think i would see xmas good luck

[Hidden]

Strange that you had a ct before pft,s. If the ct scan diagnosed emphysema i would image its correct. Dont panic pft results are all so important in diagnosis of the stage you are in. If you are feeling well and not having symptoms this is good.

Stop smoking like all will tell you on this site.

[Hidden]

Strange that you had a ct before pft,s. If the ct scan diagnosed emphysema i would image its correct. Dont panic pft results are all so important in diagnosis of the stage you are in. If you are feeling well and not having symptoms this is good.

Stop smoking like all will tell you on this site.

[jayspurs in reply to Hidden]

Hi Ponkmonster

i was under the impression that while a CT scan will show damage caused ie in Emphysema holes where lung use to be. To actually tell if emphysema was progressive on a Ct Scan thus would need to be done in Vivo which is normal only carried out in a research setting. The Ct scan we all have will certainly show damage to our lungs whether this is full blown emphysema can only be determined by another scan at a later date coupled with regular pft as you mentioned. I may not be 100% correct as i have only really started to learn about this over the past months by reading and speaking to others who have an interest in the subject. All the best Justin

[Hidden in reply to jayspurs]

Hi , like you to im in the early stages of learning about these conditions. Your correct repeat scans can confirm if the condition is stable or progressive in conjunction with pft,s.

Im a non smoker never smoked but have been having symptoms for while. I to like you have normal basic pft results but my symptoms suggest otherwise. I convinced my gp to refer me to a consultant , who requested further complex pft,s. Awaiting results.

My father has emphysema but was a life long smoker.

Ive requested a free alpha 1 test kit from birmingham qe. Its a worrying time at the moment. Hope your doing better with dealing with diagnosis.