Emphysema

[Nevergiveup73]

Ok im confused .copd can go on for years but all the posts i read on advancing emphysema speak roughly 5years life span !!!! Is this the case or what ?

[Auntypooh]

I was diagnosed over 20 years ago and am still going strong (ish). If you exercise, watch your diet and generally take care of yourself, you should keep going for many years yet. Have you done Pulmonary Rehab yet? I am just about to start on my third course. It is great fun and helps you back into exercise.

[Nevergiveup73 in reply to Auntypooh]

On waiting list xthanks

[O2Trees]

Which posts are you reading Nevergiveup? Not on here for sure. I was diagnosed at moderate in 2000 so like Auntypooh getting on for 20 years. And she is correct about exercise - so important. Get a PR referral and find ways to exercise outside of the PR sessions. This will make all the difference. Good luck

[2greys]

Perhaps you have seen examples of people who have continued smoking and very bad lifestyles or very out of date info. I was diagnosed as severe with almost pure Emphysema, in June '16, and developed Lung Cancer last year as well. I am still working full-time with no plan to retire yet and will be 69 this year. You have been grossly misinformed.

[hypercat54]

I have to agree with the others. I was diagnosed mild copd 11 years ago and am still mild. Ok it is progressive but it usually only progresses slowly so you have a lot of years ahead of you yet. x

[Ticks in reply to hypercat54]

Out of curiosity has yours progressed at all Hypercat?

[hypercat54 in reply to Ticks]

No. It's actually got better as was diagnosed 62%. The nurse said that was probably poorly controlled asthma. Once on the right meds it improved to mid 70's and has stayed there since.

I can't claim any credit for it though as was smoking for the first 9 years, packed up for 16 months, but am now back smoking again. I am just lucky I guess, but I know my luck with run out one day. x

[corriena]

No, iv been diagnosed sever for about 25 years not dead yet and still manageing to get about and do stuff

[gingermusic]

I was diagnosed with Emphysema back in 1990 when I was 40 years old and I am still here now aged 69 so please don't worry 5 years is nothing. Just do all you can to eat sensibly and exercise as and when you can and if not at least go for a walk everyday which helps you keep active.

[Ticks in reply to gingermusic]

I love your posts... keep spreading your magic dust you legend!!! You inspire me so much...

[Nevergiveup73 in reply to Ticks]

Thankyou too all i honestly been thinking all hope was gone xxxx thank god for this sitesxxx

[Catnip]

Greetings

If it was true that we only had five years, I'd have shuffled off this mortal coil in 1990. If I'd had any sense in 1985, I'd have stopped smoking. Still, that's life. Please don't read Dr. Google unless you want horror stories

Cheers

Catnip

[Jillybaby]

Still here and moderate after 15 years!

[Auntypooh]

I have not got a clue what stage I was when diagnosed nor what stage I am now. I am sorry but those figures do not mean a lot to me, I would rather go on how I am feeling and what I am able to do. I am on O2 (3 l/m) and have been since early 2006. I exercise - breathing exercises every morning, yoga once a week and pilates once a week. I also go to the gym and try to walk where and when I can. All that sounds very energetic, but I do it all within my capabilities and at my pace. I tailor my diet to help, i.e. no deep fried food, no dairy, no red meat, etc. It does get boring and I occasionally break out and have fish and chips or cheese on crumpets, but not too much and not too often. I hope that helps in some way, but, as you have said, we are all affected differently. Forgot one thing, yes I did smoke. Gave it up in 1995. Just for the record, I do not believe that smoking causes emphysema, but it makes a bad situation worse. I think mine was started off by having croup as a baby and then whooping cough when I was 8/9. Those two things trashed my lungs and I then went on to trash them even further when I started to smoke.