Worried

[Teeko]

Hi I'm 39 and have progressed from copd stage 1 to stage 2 in only 7 months which is worrying as they say you can stay at stage 1 for 10-18 years so I'm worried I'm not going to last long, should I start preparing myself now

[shadow4me]

Go on the british lung foundation group doesn't seem many people are using this site for some reason x

[Teeko in reply to shadow4me]

Thank you, yes I just posted in that one too

[margaretmt in reply to shadow4me]

I did not know about it

[Sandra1944]

I am the same I think mine is getting worse also?

[Ldycatcoach]

You are very young . Have you been tested for Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency? Have the genetic test in order to determine your genotype. If you are ZZ, infusions will slow the progress. If not, it is important to get on a regular exercise program, improve your diet, and use your control medications as prescribed. I was able to delay my need for transplant for almost five years. However, your outcome really depends on what type of COPD you have, whether or not you were or still are a smoker and of course genetics. I have never smoked or been around second hand smoke, but this disease still picked me! Find a knowledgeable pulmonologist. May God bless, comfort and strengthen you on this journey.

[joyful4u]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis & the changes happening. I'm glad you chose to join this site. I found much advice, information & encouragement here. You didn't mention if you were still smoking. If so quitting would do you the best, along with exercising & drinking a lot of water. I hope you have a pulmonary doctor who has you on a good treatment plan. I know it's hard not to worry. ..we all know how that is...but that will only lead to panic attacks & we can all do without those! Try to stay as calm as possible & do all that you can in making good choices with the things you can control. After I increased my walking, there was improvement in my breathing & my energy level. I'll be praying for you. Please continue to keep us updated. Terri

[Dgtheel]

Are you avoiding triggers,ie: smoke,dust etc.? Those can cause flair ups which really hurt your lungs and progress disease quickly

[SUSANCAMILLE]

Absolutely not! People stay at different stages for different amount of times. I am at stage 3 and have been stage 3 for 3 years. Just make sure you have a good lung doctor who can treat you without hospital stays.

[SUSANCAMILLE]

Also know your triggers! My worst triggers are cold and hot. I found out my ideal weather to go outside is 65 degrees. Below is too cold - above 75 degrees is too hot for me.

[Hidden in reply to SUSANCAMILLE]

Hi SusanCamille, I normally post up on the other hu site where there's more people and we're all dealing with respiratory illness. I noticed you said you couldn't go out until it reached a certain temperature, well I live in the United States Washington DC as a matter of fact and we have winter spring fall summer. In the winter any degrees under 39 too cold for me, and in the summer any degrees over 83 is to hot... living with COPD can be very depressing at times, what frightens me is when I catch infections or COPD exacerbation, I go for that what you call it FEV-1 test in April and I pray to God my lung function has not progress, at the present time I'm living healthy stop smoking about 12 years ago however my neighbors smoke and sometimes it comes to my air vents and as soon as I smell it I put on one of my respiratory mask, no I'm not on oxygen as of yet anyway but managing this COPD times simply wears me out mentally, you know what I mean?.... oh well thanks for allowing me to share feel free to reach back at me by all means God bless and stay healthy

[walkfast-74]

Maybe you were ready to start stage 2 anyway every person is diffrent. I sure wouldnt get ready to give up. Dont go looking for death wait untill it catches up with you and really fight it with everything you have got. We should always keep our lives in order because we never know when the Lord is going to call us home. I just told my daughter today to stop sitting there waiting for me to die of this it may turn out God will call me home another way. I try to live for today but am prepared for tomorrow. Get a good lung doctor and really talk to him and listen to him. I do understand you worring we all have days or weeks like that. I really dont think you are that close to the end stage 2 can also last for years. I will pray for the very best for you. Stay close to God stop smoking ( the hardest thing to do) eat right and keep moving. Sandy

[Feelingblessed2013]

I cannot add much to the advice already given. But I can suggest; do your best to eliminate all chemical cleaners from your environment. I use vinegar, citrus, baking soda, washing soda, powdered borax, etc. for most of my household cleaners. I don't know if your home is carpeted or not, but my sister in law was told to get rid of all carpeting in her home because it was affecting her breathing

[Saramana]

Hi all, I'm very new to this and just been diagnosed as stage 3 COPD - severe emphysema a little over a year ago. At 90 I too wonder how long before stage 4. Oxygen is just at night and when I move around during the day. Yes, I was a smoker for 35 years but quit in 1977 and came down with bladder cancer in 1979, which is still being treated. I see my pulmonologist every 6 months and look forward to reaching 100. Exercise, diet and medication are on my agenda as well as a positive mental attitude. I hope you have many years to go before stage 3.