My lungs

[Mommie5]

I had went to the ER a couple weeks ago and they said I had at the beginning stages of emphysema and I had a lung test done spirometry test done and it says my lung age is 59 years and it concerns me a whole lot cuz I'm only 40 and when I did the breathing test the lines didn't go up very high up to a number 4 and I'm not sure what anything else means and it says mild Airway obstruction and nothing was really explain to me is there anybody that can help me out because I don't understand this and I'm really scared

[winter2013]

So sorry to hear all this but also sorry that I can’t offer any constructive help as my condition is different. Sending you love though!

[Salmo]

The information they gave you is not that helpfull but the key word is mild.

I would not get too hung up about the 59 year old lungs in a 40 years - to me that seems like the stuff they give you on the telly to scare you into exercising more, losing weight, stopping smoking or whatever - great advice but does not tell you extent of your disease.

Next time you go ask them for the key lung function test values that describe the extent of any disease. These are FVC (how big your lungs are , DLCO (also called trasfer factor- describes how well you absorb oxygen) and FEV (usually 1 - air you force out in second and tells you if you have obstructive disease). For obstructve disease something called the FEV/FVC ratio is important. Ask doctors to explain parameters to you. In your case your FVC is possibly 4 - this is somewhat meaningless on ots own (though I'd kill for 4!). They should always present any values in terms of % of average for people of your age, height, weight, gender etc.

In your case ask them to confirm what mild obstructive disease you have. This could be COPD or possibly asthma. There is a lot you can do with these diseases - medication, exercise etc so very much early days and no reason to be scared yet though if you smoke stop now !! (and also start addressing any exercise or weight isssues if that applies)

[Mommie5 in reply to Salmo]

Thank you very much that makes me feel a lot better exercise on a daily basis I don't need to lose any weight I'm actually wanting to gain some weight because I only weigh 120 pounds and that bothers me but I've also had a lot of stress that plays a factor in that and thank you that makes me feel a lot better and I will talk to him about it cuz they didn't refer me to a long Specialist or anything but looking at the paper that they gave me I don't understand it they didn't even explain any of it to me hey you're good and that's it

[hopetorun]

You may find you will have a follow up with your gp or with a lung specialist.

I have Copd and a little emphasimia. The main things to do to look after your lungs. Give up smoking get plenty of gentle exercise and eat healthily. Best wishes to you

[Mommie5 in reply to hopetorun]

And even get referred to a long Specialist or anything and I'm freaking out about it

[hopetorun]

If you are worried go to gp and ask for information. At the moment you dont have enough to make any judgement. Take care x

[Christina1941]

Hello Mommie5. You need a lot more information from your GP before you know where you stand, you don't say if you are a smoker, if you are you should stop as soon as possible, that is the most important thing. You say that you exercise that is excellent because it is very important to keep moving. Please try not to worry, I know that is not easy, but COPD is not a death sentence, as long as you take any medications you are prescribed, eat a healthy diet, keep moving and if you are a smoker try and stop, you will slow down any progression of this disease of ours. Take care, try not to worry and breath easy xxx