I am 27 years old , i was diagnosed with emphysema about 1 year ago , I smoked since 9 years ago ,i immediately quit smoking ,now I just feel a little short breath
my FEV1 is 91%
my FVC is 98%
my FEV1/ FVC is 95%
My health is very good and I go to the gym every day for 5 years ago
I am engaged and but i'm afraid to marry because that disease and because I read in the website the life expectancy for someone diagnosed with emphysema is just five years !!
someone here can help and tell me about his experience with emphysema and how long you had diagnosed with emphysema ???
and is it true that I will only live 3-5 years ???
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mdr-syd
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Don't take notice of what you research on the web, you are doing everything you should be. Exercise and healthy diet is really good, and not sinking is great. You go ahead and get married you will live a long time if you keep on doing exactly what you are now. Please don't look things up on the internet unless it's a site like this or an NHS site. You take care, and please keep posting. Love Bernadette 😳 xxx
I think U wrote a great reply. I could only add take your medication like clock work. Definetly excercise so you can get the most out of the lung capacity you do have left AND YOU NEVER CAN TELL WHEN OR WHERE STEM CELL TECHNOLOGHY WILL BE KNOCKING DOWN YOUR DOOR. I am 70 with a host of diseases and numerous operations many of my friends are long gone - don't give up hope and don't fear changing doctors - many coctors just become complacent and you need one who is aggressive
I was first diagnosed with COPD in 2004 and I'm still around , I also smoked but foolishly didn't give up until 2 years ago. if you exercise and eat a heathy diet there is no reason you wont live a normal life and for a lot longer than 5 years. You sound as if you've given into COPD already, don't let it beat you,.
27 is very young to be dx with copd. Ask for the alpha-1 deficiency test - a simple finger pick for bloods. Is a genetic thing. And don't panic! Many live long, happy and productive lives.
Hi mdr-syd I was diagnosed with COPD when I was 50 (12 years ago) I stopped smoking 20 cigs a day. Did everything that was suggested exercise, eating well etc. When I was 60 (2 years ago) I was diagnosed with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and given a 3-5 years left. I'm still here, yes I do have to sometimes go onto hospital because of chest infections, at the moment I'm in with pneumonia in my right lung. Been in 5 nights but Feeling much better now I'm having intravenous antibiotics and oral antibiotics etc. . I know I am improving and I know I'm having the best care possible. Stay positive ignore the 3-5 years, everyone is different, keep exercising as much as possible and go restart classes if it's suggested. Today might get be a bad day but tomorrow maybe a much better day. Keep smiling 😁
The next best thing for you to do is - stop worrying. There's a lot of scary rubbish on the Internet so just ignore what you've read and enjoy life without the ciggies, and the worry.
My Mum was diagnosed when I was 18, I am 30 and she is still going strong! Her condition is a lot worse than yours however she is still fairly active and loving life. Don’t let the disease stand in your way 😊
I have had emphysema since I was 55 iam now 66 was a heavy smoker gave them up 10 year ago but last few years it takes 3 lots af tablets and steroids to get rid of chest inf good days and not so good days
Hi I didn't know a fev1 of 95% was copd as I thought this was just a variation of the norm? I thought mild was 80-89%. As the others have said though you still have a very long and active life ahead of you. Don't read or believe scare stories on the net.
Well like I said 91% is just a variation of the norm. It is possible you have some background changes to your lungs which would account for the diagnosis. It is very mild so take the advice you have been given and you will be fine.
Was your diagnosis based purely on your spirometry results, or have you also had x .rays and a CT scan. You cant diagnose Emphysema with just spirometry results.
about 1 year ago ihad a short breath just when i go to the gym and I had a dry cough ,
i go to the doctor first i do just x ray doctor though that's asthma and after 2 months i back to him He asked me ct scan and Blood analysis and breath test after that he told me i have emphysema and he Explain me about this disease
Hello mdr-syd . Please don't Google. What you read will not be your outcome. Everyone's disease progression is different. Your FEV is extraordinarily good. I doubt very much that you will be going anywhere within three to five years. You are in general good health and you are taking care of yourself it seems. Very well done. Take this as a wake up call. Marry the person you love, live the life you want, go to the places you want to visit, take the challenges before you. Don't let your diagnosis impede your happiness.
Absolute rubbish about how long you may live, the most important thing was to quit the smoking which you have done. I was first diagnosed with Emphysema some 28 years ago and I am still alive so do please just keep up the exercise, eat as healthily as you can and please do get married and enjoy your life, its there for living and you have everything to live for.
hi I too got digagnosed with this 3 months ago it really means we have copd but I'm still smoking so you will be ok I promise but I have not done as I should have so it will be game over for me if I don't stop I carnt stop I have just lost my dad and me son is in jail so I'm a bit down so you be happy it could be sooooo much worse my friend good luck I'm also on my own so you should really be happy you have a nice life see ya freind
Sue sounds like you are really up against it, can you get help from your doctor with the stopping smoking? and are there any support networks that could help you with the recent loss of your father, and with your son being in jail? Stay strong. (It sounds as though you are having to).x
There's a viable alternative out there, why not try it? E-cigs saved my life because, like you, I just could not quit no matter what I tried it just didn't work. Gum, patch even hypnosis - I was a confirmed smoker of 60+ years, a pack a day at least. I got my first e-cig in 2010 and have never smoked a cigarette since then. All the pleasure and none of the tar and chemicals - what's not to like?
Hello there, Did they do the reversibility second spirometry test? I failed the first one but after bronchial meds (Ventolin) that open your airways In asthma I passed and got a normal result, showing that my current symptoms are asthma not emphysema related. if you DO NOT smoke look after yourself and take the medications you are given you should live a long and full life with your lung function decline being that of the normal aging process, please stay away from Google and stay on sites like this, and get clarification of what this diagnosis actually means for you from your doctor. Marry the love of your life and look forward to everything you was before. All the very best.
You sound pretty fit to me. Do not believe everything you read on the net most of it just frightens you. Listen to the people on this forum who have this disease for many years, have exceded by miles the silly forecast on the net and have grown to live/adjust with it. At your age you have plenty of time, you cannot pass it on to children, keep them off the cigs etc & keep off them yourself. Keep fit eat well you will live to a good old age.
I smoked for 32 years, quit in 1997. Since then, I always felt fine, exercised moderately, ate right. Did not even think about my breathing until I was diagnosed with emphysema last year after a routine CT scan. My point is I think I probably had emphysema long before I quit smoking, and just didn't know it. Now I'm 68 with FEV1 at 43% and 50% with bronchodilators. I don't need O2 yet, but probably will at some point. If you hadn't gotten diagnosed, you would have gone on about your life for decades without knowing about your condition, so there is a good chance you can live a normal lifespan and good chance there will be more treatments available as you get older. No reason not to get married, I would think, whether you have Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency or not. Good luck!
Hi mdr you go ahead and do all the things you want to do,including marriage! and that should last years. I was diagnosed about ten yrs ago, and though on oxygen (some people never need it) 24/7 it doesn't stop me doing anything, and I intend to be around for many years yet. You have had some good replies, take the advice and so should you. Excluding Dr Google! 3 to 5 yrs??? Absolute nonsense!! Xx
Hi 27 is very young and must have been a great shock for you. You need to look at the half full glass now think of the positive things you do and look to see if there is anything else you can do to help keep you healthy. But it seems you are doing what you need to do so try and put it at the back of your mind and make happy memories and enjoy your life x
I was a heavy smoker and had trouble giving up but went to a top smoking campaign it was so easy. The first day of the diet was water and fruit juice. The next was just veg and fruit juice then some veg was introduced third day but mainly juice and water this was five days. No sitting in favourite chairs eating out, or parties no coffee or tea all triggers. I have never smoked again and that was 40 years ago.
i was diagnosed with emphysema about 12 years ago I'm 72 now, still work full time ,my fev1 hasn't changed in the last 5 years still 48%.thats due to keeping fit I also go down the gym mainly when I fine its to cold for cycling do 50 miles most weeks after work and Sunday .what I'm saying to you keep your self fit and enjoy life, think positive get married don't worry
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Can anyone help please?
Confused messages from the Dr
Moderate COPD longevity.
A long wait but finally got there I think
