Hi, I am new to the forum

[revagayle]

Hi, I am a 60 yr old from central Missouri. USA. I was recently diagnosed with moderate emphysema. I quit smoking 9yrs ago. I am still in shock and not in a very good place. I feel a little hope reading your posts.

[mrsmummy]

Welcome to the forum revagayle. Emphysema is not good but a diagnosis at the moderate stage gives you the opportunity to slow it right down by following your doctor's advice. This is likely to include staying away from other smokers, exhaust fumes, etc, taking exercise, eating healthily and taking the medications prescribed. There are many on here with emphysema (part of COPD) and I am sure they will be encouraging.

[revagayle in reply to mrsmummy]

thank you.

[onamission]

Hi and welcome when I was diagnosed at the age of 42 I went through the same emotions but both of us have done the best thing by giving up smoking we are always hear to support

[revagayle in reply to onamission]

Thank you. I am sure I will be back, just a little shaky right now.

[onamission in reply to revagayle]

we light up our cigarettes thinking it will never happen to us. I suspected some time before I was diagnosed but it still hit me like a ton of bricks. I came home from the Doctors cried like a baby walked round in a daze then focused on giving up smoking that was so frightening

[revagayle in reply to onamission]

I have already given up smoking. The guilt is overwhelming.

[onamission in reply to revagayle]

when we are diagnosed with a long term illnesses we have a mix of emotions it will take time before it all kicks in at this point I became a fighter and determined to live till I'm 140 😊

[revagayle in reply to onamission]

that's a little too long for me. How long ago were you diagnosed if I might ask.

[onamission in reply to revagayle]

I was diagnosed over 10 years ago now but I'm sure I had it at least 6 months before

[revagayle in reply to onamission]

thank you.

[Janetbell354 in reply to revagayle]

16 years here and ivam moderare

[Putsywillow1 in reply to onamission]

I'm with you - I got it! Hell, 145! We have more control than we know. Now I'm going to pour a glass of bubbly - it's cocktail time (5 PM!) & yes,we can! Your imput is so encouraging.

[onamission in reply to Putsywillow1]

well done enjoy your glass of bubble but I should explain the reason why I'm determined to stay around till I'm 140 is to get some of the tax back in pension 😆

[Putsywillow1 in reply to onamission]

Hello again! I'm glad to see that your sense of humor is still intact! On the other hand, you could be serious in which case your determination is quite justifiable! Have a wonderful day!

[normanspoon in reply to revagayle]

am 10 years now not smoking and am 70 . what i look for is seeing the five grand kids 12 years and under .

[normanspoon in reply to onamission]

the day was September 7,, 2007 they told me i had emphysema, copd , I said how long do I have to live she wrote on a piece of paper lung function . I said am going to fl for 5 months . she gave me enough med for 5 months ventalyn ,spiriva Sybacout 5 of each . came back from fl went to get the lung function done and i was at 57% lung function now 10 years later am at 50% to 53% 55% depending on the day this was when I was 60 years old now am 70 and other than the arthritis all over my body am all good .

[onamission in reply to normanspoon]

Its strange how we remember dates of when we were diagnosed and when we stopped smoking I don't even know what day of the week it is but I do remember that feeling sitting with the GP and him telling me I had COPD

[normanspoon in reply to onamission]

that's good,, On a mission funny, so was i .for 8 years i did Percushion useing a thumper,steam .Acapella laid accross the bed and let gravity take over it's amazing the things you can do to get that shit out do you mind telling me what lung function your at now or when you were diagnosed . and do you have a flow meter to check yourself?

[onamission in reply to normanspoon]

no I don't over the years I have got to know my lungs I know them better than my husband I know when I'm starting with a cold or flu the pr course helped a lot as well

[Hidden]

Hi there. You have come to the right place! I have found the members here are very supportive and knowledgeable. It seems to me that whatever the question, someone here knows where to get the answer. Take care.

[Donna1962]

Hi I have end stage emphysema and I have looked on the Internet and it says I don't have long to live and it has frightened me is this true an only 54 and I have never smoked

[mrsmummy in reply to Donna1962]

The Internet says a lot of things, not all of them true. Many on here had predictions of only a few years to live but have lived far beyond what they were told. Please don't worry.

[piping in reply to Donna1962]

No...start doing slow exercise and definitely off the cigs.then you have a good chance.

[Donna1962 in reply to piping]

I have never smoked

[casper99 in reply to Donna1962]

Lots of people live many years after being diagnosed stage 4 like you.

Google tends to have outdated articles, if you look at the year they were written, you will see.

In the last 10 years, there has been many new inhalers and other treatments brought out, that's why you need to stick to this site. There are other one's too but, this is the best one.

We all felt afraid on diagnosis and scared ourselves more by trawling the internet.

I made myself very unwell through it and the Docter gave me some antidepressants to calm down my anxiety.

If you feel overwhelmed by your condition, I advise you to see your GP for some help too. xx

[normanspoon in reply to Donna1962]

so sorry to hear that Donna if you have never smoked you should be on the number one list for a transplant and you would normally get one PDQ ((pretty dam quick))

[Donna1962 in reply to normanspoon]

No one has ever said that to me I have a nurse every four weeks to check on me

[normanspoon in reply to Donna1962]

Donna , 27 % lung function is low but you can bring it up. you see we don't know what caused your disease sure is not from smoking . you can do purse breathing,,, you can do this all day long and your lung will get more air in them and you will breath better you will notice a difference . ask 02trees the best way for you to do Deep breathing .

[Donna1962 in reply to normanspoon]

Hi I have never smoked who is O2 trees

[normanspoon in reply to Donna1962]

she's on our site health unlocked look her up .

[normanspoon in reply to Donna1962]

just go to you tube ,,,Just ask how to do deep breathing

[Moosemoose]

I have just recently been given that diagnosis too. I am the same age as you and also gave up smoking a few years ago (I smoked for a few months after my Mum died, 2 years ago) I had no idea that I had anything major wrong with my lungs having gone to the doctor with my recent chest infection. Without warning he just told me I had emphysema and that I would be offered oxygen therapy as it progressed! To say I was devastated is an understatement. I have never even felt breathless nor had any other symptoms so this was a big shock! On a positive note though - my Dad is 90 yrs old and also recently been diagnosed with emphysema and is fit as a flea and was only diagnosed after he too, had a chest infection. He doesn't need any treatment nor inhalers - he is fitter than most people half his age. Keep healthy, exercise and try to stay positive - you have come to the right place for advice and support.

[revagayle in reply to Moosemoose]

Thank you. it is nice to know I am not alone.

[HampshireLass in reply to Moosemoose]

Moosemoose your Doctor can only tell you that diagnosis with at least an Xray amongst other tests. He should also have told you about Pulminory Rehabilitation, inhalers and many other things. I would never go and see that doctor again if i were you. Find another one.

[Dedalus]

Welcome revagayle

[revagayle in reply to Dedalus]

thank you.

[Donna1962]

I am not on oxygen but on inhalers I have losses alot of weight am only 6 stone now I can do much around the house or walk far

[kansas]

I'm from Topeka,Ks.67yr emphysema(severe) for the last 5yrs.I was diagnosed in 2003.I quit smoking 6yrs ago. I eat healthy exercise take my meds do what the dr.says I get around pretty good these days considering the COPD but I won't go down without fighting.I live by myself and do everything non-copd do except a lot slower I do have a life

[revagayle in reply to kansas]

Thank you. Please keep in touch. You are very encouraging to me.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Welcoome to the forum,always nice to meet someone new. Hope you are ok, you will get lots of support on this site and laughs too. Xxx😊

[Donna1962]

I need to get in to doing exercise but don't know what to do that will help me

[mrsmummy in reply to Donna1962]

Youtube have some great exercise videos. Try searching for 'COPD exercises'.

youtube.com/results?search_...

Also check out the Pinned Post about Abbreviations and Links (top right) which has some exercise videos towards the end of it.

[revagayle in reply to Donna1962]

I am new here. I wish I could help you. The best exercise I have seen so far is walking.

[piping]

Well by fool luck or good luck you just found the best bunch of friends that will offer advice support and comfort to you and possibly the odd joke.We all been where you are and you will find some great advice and some very careing ,loveable and knowledgeable people to be with you through this tricky road.You will also find much genuine love because we are all in same boat ,apart from the genuine gainful knowledge most offer as well...and that is offered with kind thought and love as well

[revagayle in reply to piping]

Thank you so much. I can feel the goodness in you all.

[Nicholatracy]

Welcome. I also have moderate emohysema. Bought a bike from a sports store here in San Antonio. Cost 250.00 USd. Works arms and legs. I try to work out in it approx 35 minutes for five times a week. I do get down a bit but reading this forum is truly a Godsend. A lot of well rounded knowledgeable people with great information as well as a good sense of humour. Jennifer bakes cakes every Tuesday so be on the look out.

[Putsywillow1]

Hello & welcome! I, too, have recently been diagnosed with stage2 emphysema & like you, I quit smoking 9 yrs. ago. I understand your frustration but you have more control than you may think possible. You can, with proper diet (not difficult) , medication (inhalers) & most importantly exercise to get the heart pumping thus delivering the necessary oxygen to the lungs. It doesn't have to be exotic - simple brisk walk, start slowly & build up the time. Breathing excercises - this site has some instructional videos that are very good. Last week I joined a medicinal TaiChi class & it feels great. We can live functional lives & think positive. If you start to feel depressed try this ancient adage about the boy who cried because he had no shoes until he met a man who had no feet. There's always some poor person who's got it worse.

Now I'll get off my soapbox! I wish you well & stay in touch - this website is wonderful - an international group all with the same things in common.

[revagayle in reply to Putsywillow1]

Thank you. I keep coming back again & again to read your post. May I ask how old you are?

[Putsywillow1 in reply to revagayle]

Good morning! It's good to hear from you & I hope you're doing better. To answer your question I'm 75 years old! Ouch!

[revagayle in reply to Putsywillow1]

I am doing better. thank you. 75 doesn't sound old to me it sounds wonderful. hope you are doing well.

[casper99]

Hi Ravagayle and welcome to the forum.

It is an awful shock, we always knew the dangers with Lung Cancer, we just never expected it to happen to us. It did happen to my partner 5 years ago and 3 weeks later, I was diagnosed with Emphysema.

I'd never heard of COPD and Emphysema, was a word I'd only heard of in the last 10 years because a SIL's told me her uncle had it and all she knew was that he was on oxygen.

Since my diagnosis, it's aa if COPD has become like Dementia, a sudden epidemic. I've recently learned that a few of my friends and acquaintances have it too.

The guilt is a killer, but I try not to let it bother me any more, what's done is done.

I'm moderate too and with care, we can live a normal life span.

So, look after yourself and start getting fitter, it's not a death sentence. xx

[revagayle in reply to casper99]

Thank you for taking the time to send me such a nice post. It truly means a lot to me.

[mousesnan]

I was diagnosed about 6 or 7 years ago with moderate emphysema. Since then I have tried to eat healthy, (don't always manage it!) And have really boosted my lung function and fitness by cycling. It may not be for everyone, but it has helped ne. So COPD is def not a death sentence, its a 'look after yourself' wake up call! Xx

[revagayle in reply to mousesnan]

thank you.

[revagayle in reply to revagayle]

thank you again, it means so much to me to read again & again these uplifting posts.