Stages of copd

[1Hazeloak]

Diagnosed with copd in aug had a flare up this week which I spent a few days in hospital how do I no what stage I am

[Bkin]

Chat with your consultant, spirometry, full lung function, gas exchange, CT scan are indicators of the lung damage.

[1Hazeloak in reply to Bkin]

My gp only said to me stop smoking I’ve had the blowing test back in September nothing else didn’t no anything about flare ups and what I had to do but the hospital were brilliant

[Ne33]

Hope you feel better xxx

[Caspiana]

Hello 1Hazeloak . Like Bkin says you need to know your test results. What kind of tests did you do? And were the results explained to you? And by the, welcome to the forum. xx 😃😁😀👋

[Izb1]

Hi 1Hazeloak and welcome to the site x

[Ergendl]

Ask your GP for another spirometry test after you're back from hospital saying you've heard an exacerbation may change it, and ask the person who does the test for a print out of the results. They don't give you a copy unless you ask, in my experience.

Hope you feel better soon.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to Ergendl]

Hi there Ergendl & 1Hazeloak and the point that you so correctly point out re the results if any spirometry testsyou do are printed out at the time of taking so you are FULLY ENTITLED to ask for a copy before you leave. I never knew this and some may say that numbers can maybe depressing to read but others say that irs all just numbets and only you know how tou feel etc. My own take on it is .... get all the information you can after any test you do. Then research it via reputable sites and then decide if you are able to perhaps do more exercise or change your diet etc etc . Always keep records just if anything for your own peace of mind. Best wishes.

[Superzob]

I think people, including doctors, get too hung up on these arbitrary divisions. Any diagnosis is only useful if it leads to treatment which improves your condition - that should be the aim. It is your symptoms, rather than any figures, which should determine how you are treated in order to alleviate them. You need to make sure that those who are treating you are aware of all your symptoms, so that they can make full use of any diagnostic tests to treat them in the most appropriate manner.

[jackdup in reply to Superzob]

You are right. If you are 50% you are moderate but 49% you are severe but don't likely feel different at all because of the one percent drop.

[1Hazeloak]

Hi yes I do I was only diagnosed aug didn’t think to much about it as all gp said stop smoking well after this 1st flare up I’m stopping I went to gp this morning and he did really give two 💩 about me asking for help as I no zyban works as have given up on it before just sorted a smoking group out myself after his attitude towards me was crap