Advancing emphysema help

[Nevergiveup73]

Please help got told im suffering from advancing emphysema!45years old and petrified. Its the pains i get at top of body up beside my shoulders and i took a deep breath one day to get a pain that felt like a sml stone falling down my lung .get panic attacks when i get pains but got the most unhelpful doc .to point it was receptionist that told me .doc said youve advancing emphysema due to smoking due to smoking ..and that was it .so scared .ive been off nicotine for 3 weeks now xcan some1 tell me what all this means x

[Badbessie]

I agree to points already raised. Without testing eg spirometry bloods and various other procedures it is impossible to diagnose COPD let alone say it's advancing. Yes CoPD can be progressive but you have already done the best thing you can by giving up smoking. You need to be referred to a specialist who I am sure will give far better advice than the idiot Manning the phone. Above all you need a full picture of your condition not a half added opinion. So don't panic.

[Nevergiveup73]

I had been going to doc over 3 years complaining of lack of breath it was because anorher doc from practice sent me for xray thats when my own doc got reception to call .since then ive had peakflow 250 .270 .but its like thats it? I got spiriva inhaler.and now ive stopped smoking (3weeks)feel a lot better than did but thought hospital would be seeing me but been told from copd nurse she will see me in 4months if in pain for more than 3 days doc (but he only gives me cocodomal which dosent help pain but makes me feel out o it!

[Bkin in reply to Nevergiveup73]

Ask your doctor or COPD nurse to be referred to a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Peakflow is asthma related if you are taking that yourself everyday, you should consult with your asthma nurse about that. If you've not had a spirometry test done, ask for one and ask for a copy of the results. then go check them here: patient.info/doctor/spirome...

[Spacecat1]

Receptionist shouldnt be discussing your case should be GPS consultant and certain nurses. I might be wrong about this but our receptionist are ot allowed to discuss your illness its private between you and the doctors. Mention to the doctor about it. The receptionist is there to book appointments vets.hope all goes well. I wish I could cough have some mucus but the tablets dont work but luckily the mucus doesn't cause problems.

[Bkin]

Don't take any diagnosis from a receptionist and certainly don't discuss any medical issues with them they are not qualified.

As suggested, make an appointment to see your doctor, ask to be properly tested for any lung condition, and assessed and treated for anxiety.

Good you have been nicotine free for 3 weeks, I'd say stay away from any kind of smoke, passive or otherwise.

[Whitechinchilla]

All your replies to date are sound advice. You need an expert opinion on your condition, not a comment from your notes via a receptionist.

On what tests was your gps diagnosis made?

Your first course of action is the spirometery test so a diagnosis can be made, followed up, IF necessary, by an X-ray or blood test or scan.

Make an appointment and see your gp ASAP.

Once you know what you are dealing with phone the BLF helpline so you can get their info on your related condition. You do need to ask lots more questions at this stage. Good luck