Confused about COPD diagnosis.

Hello everyone. I was just diagnosed with COPD after they ruled out Pulmonary Fibrosis with a normal HRCT scan. I have 46 percent lung function and my DLCO is at 49 percent. I have what they are calling a mixed obstructive/restrictive lung disease. They started me on a long acting inhaler called Stiolto. I did notice that the inhaler has opened up my lungs. It feels like I can get more air into my lungs. I just don't understand how I can have moderate/severe COPD and normal looking lungs on the CT scan? The only other explanation is that my blood clotting disorder is acting up again; and causing transient blood clots to develop at the time of the pulmonary function test, with perhaps the clots then dissolving (before I had the CT scan a month after the lung function test) once my blood has become thinner. Having clots in the lungs can also impair lung function and gas exchange. When you're on Warfarin, your blood thickness can sometimes become unstable at times, which can allow clots to form when the INR is low. Then the clots can dissolve again once your INR is stable again. Any how, what do you guys think?

[LORBIC]

I have never heard of obstructive/restrictive lung disease, some thing I will be asking my doctor about. I know people who are using Stiolto and they have nothing but praise for it, glad you can feel the difference when you use it. With you having blood clots have they ruled out Pulmonary Hypertension? I have a history of PE, will be doing heart cath on right and left side tomorrow. Warfarin did not work for me, couldn't keep the INR at the right number, I'm now on Xarelto and doing good. When I had my blood clot I was put in the hospital while they dissolved it with Herapin.

[Hidden in reply to LORBIC]

They seem to be slowly working their way towards pulmonary hypertension. It's just a slow process. I had a lot of weird symptoms for three days. A lot of neurological symptoms. My hands were swelling and going numb, locking up on me. I was starting to think that my restrictive lung disease was related to possible ALS, or some sort of neuromuscular disorder. My blood pressure was also really high (so it could be the Stiolto causing this) but I'm not sure.

I had my INR checked and it is way too low for me. It was 1.9 when it is supposed to be above 3.0. I doubled down on my blood thinners immediately and the weird neurological symptoms are gone. My hands are feeling better. My circulation gets really bad when I have a low INR. Also, another thing that scares me about Stiolto is that it can cause low potassium levels. I have been taking potassium supplements for the past four years because of severe cramping in my DVT leg.

I have an almost completely occluded deep vein behind my knee that causes crippling cramping without rest and potassium supplements. If the Stiolto causes me to go too low in potassium and the cramps return, I will have to discontinue it. I have been popping pain pills like mad for three days and I'm having trouble sleeping because it feels like the pain is building, and that the cramps are trying to start up again. Pain is one thing. I can deal with that. But the cramps are like contractions.

A restrictive lung disease is when you can't fully expand your lungs from them shrinking, being turned into fiber through scarring, or from your respiratory muscles not functioning properly; like a paralyzed diaphragm, or weak breathing muscles due to a neuromuscular disorder like ALS. Obstructive is when the airways are narrowed or inflamed causing a blockage in the airways. Any how, thanks for the support.

J