My question is this,
How do they diagnosis COPD as opposed to emphysema? Do your numbers have to be extremely low, or do they do a lung scan.... or something else?? This question has been bothering me...my dad got a diagnosis of emphysema from an x-ray. I never could understand that.
Thanks for any info on this...
God bless,
Phyllis
Hi Phyllis, my emphysema was diagnosed by a lung scan. I'm finding that the more I walk & drink plenty of water, the better I feel. At first, I too kept checking my oxygen & heart rate often. I let that go because I found that doing that raised my anxiety level. It was through us the roof!!
I"ve settled down & try to go day by day doing what I can to manage my copd. I pray this happens with you also. Take care & God bless. Terri
Thanks for your answer. I have one of those oxygen things that you wear on your finger, but I've found it always stays at normal levels...at least in the day time. At night it probably gets low. 
I don't know if we can really go by what the things show us anyway. All of this is a big thing to take in. sigh...
Hi it is confusing and I don't really understand it either. I used to think that everyone with either chronic bronchitis or emphysema was automatically classed as copd. But when I went for my annual review the nurse said you can have emphysema without having copd, or vice versa. I didn't really get it but think it's to do with where the damage is.
As I understand it emphysema is damage at the bottom of the lungs (the aveloi) where gases are exchanged. Chronic bronchitis is damage to the upper airways. Most people have primarily one with a bit of the other so I assume they would be described as having copd.
If you have only damage of the aveoli then I guess it is just emphysema. The damage should be visible on an x-ray, but I think it would be more to do with the levels of gases exchanged. If they were a certain level then it would be classed as emphysema.
I am sure someone with correct me if I am wrong.
Did your emphysema show up on x-ray? An MRI of my thoracic spine showed my lungs were hyperinfiltrated, but clear. Then the PFT confirmed copd.
It is confusing. I was diagnosed with emphysema after a chest x-ray (it showed damaged lung tissue). I was told by one pulmonologist that he wouldn't classify me as having COPD because there is no obstruction with my lung function, but that my lungs were "stiff". Another pulmonologist told me he wouldn't give me a diagnosis of emphysema because my PFT was "normal". My primary care doc looked at my PFT results and actually showed me the scale they use to compare and told me the FEV 1 level is what they check, mine showed a problem. Then he showed me my latest CT scan and all the little "blebs" and told me I have mild emphysema. He said my pulmonologist probably didn't see the CT scan?? (He was the one who ordered it.)
From what I understand; COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease) is an umbrella term for many chronic lung issues, emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, bronchiectasis (not sure I spelled that last one right).
It's crazy, but some Drs. don't look at your results fully. I had one Dr. who never told me I had hemangiomas on my spine!! To me, that would be important..right? I mean, I know they are benign, and that they watch them to make sure they don't grow..etc., but you would think someone would tell me. I had ordered a copy of the results, and when I read it... of course it scared me. I had no idea what hemangiomas were.
It is crazy. They order tests then never look at them. Maybe they rely on staff to inform them of the results? With me the same doctor who didn't bother to look at the results from the CT scan he ordered, also had no idea that I was using the cpap machine that he sent in the script for.
I hope you are looking for a new doctor, I know I am.
I don't think they care...especially if they are older and have gotten bored with their jobs. I hate to say that, but with me it all speaks loud and clear. He had the nerve to say, "you worry a lot don't you." 
What the heck?
The idea that your doctor said that to you about worrying a lot, makes me both laugh and shake my head at the nerve of some doctors.
My last 2 pulmonologists weren't what I would consider old. One was maybe mid 40's the other mid to late 50's. The younger one was (I think) just overworked and under experienced. The older one (my last one) at my last appointment was more concerned with talking to other office members about his personal life, than talking to his patients.
I never went back to that particular Dr. either. How totally rude. I said, "No, I'm not a worrier, I am sick, and want to know why." After no answers for 2 yrs., I'd really like to know what's going on with me.
I've gone through 2 pulmonologists.
I have gone through four. all the same. we can not heal you. we can help you w/ meds but it's very expensive to medicare. pfttt. i am sick need medical attention. educate yourself and dont look for a magic bullet as there isn't one. Pulmonary rehab is your best bet for a decent quality of life. good luck and breathe deep blow that bad air out all the way. good luck
Thank you valeriejean!
My last one would ask me to breath in and out, ask about how the Yankees were doing, then ask if I needed a new prescription and then said ok see you in 3 months. Made me feel like I was nothing but an insurance check to him. I decided to just see my primary care doctor, they can tell me the same thing.
Had to smile...sorry. But, yes, ohmigosh .. that is so very rude!! Unfeeling as heck!! I hate to be made to feel so insignificant.
Sounds like my pulmo, asks how I am doing, leaves the room saying he will be right back, but doesn't come back. Instead a nurse comes in and tells me I'm done and can leave whenever I want.
Geez!! How sad. We worry...then they brush us off!! I'm sorry they treat you that way Katherine. We NEED people to care, and show it. It makes me very angry actually. Bless you my friend. 👐
Makes me angry as well. That's why I won't be going back. At least I have my primary care doc. He takes the time to answer your questions.
I don't know what country you are in KatherineK but in the UK copd is generally classed only as Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema. Asthma and others aren't included. The reason is that they are obstructive lung diseases and are not reversible with meds. Also the treatment is virtually identical. This is not the case with bronchieactasis or asthma.
I am in the US. I don't think Bronchieactasis is reversible. My husband was diagnosed with that and was told the damage to his lungs would slowly get worse. He is supposed to use a nebulizer and an inhaler, but he refuses. He says they make the congestion worse (they are actually trying to break it up). He has more congestion than my dad had with severe emphysema. But I think you are right about asthma.
Asthma is reversible but you are right Bronchieactasis isn't. It is not an obstructive lung disease though as it's the lungs themselves which are affected and not the airways. This is why it isn't included under copd at least in the UK. It might be different where you are.
We've been told both by different doctors, one says bronchiectasis isn't copd, another says it is, I don't think they know.
Well if they don't know how the hell are we supposed to? It's ridiculous isn't it. It doesn't give you much faith in them.
You find at least one doctor you can trust, who will answer your questions, take the time to explain things to you. I am very lucky, I have two such doctors, my primary care, and my oncologist.
I have mild/moderate copd and none of my doctors will talk about it as they say they are too busy and I must make an appointment with the respiratory nurse. The trouble is they are so short staffed that there are never any appointments. So I end up either relying on a phone call from them or asking my pharmacist instead.
Lucky you to have two doctors who are good.
Hi phylis I've had copd for a lot of years with cronic bronchitis and asthma I had X-rays over the years I'm presuming they can tell with what they can see on there but Feb just gone I was sent for a scan I call it the doughnut lol that's when they found I have emphysema I think I'm still in denial though or it just hasent hit home yet .have a blessed day
Hi Rhiannon10!!
Nice to meet you.
Did you just have a regular CT scan or a scan specifically for your lungs? I have had CT scans myself, and they never mentioned this to me. The MRI of my mid back is what caught it. I have hyperinflated lungs, which I'm sure most of us do.
Have you quit smoking?
It is a lot to digest isn't it? I think the hardest thing for me is knowing I did this to myself by smoking for so long.
God bless, and I'm here to chat if you need to.
Phyllis
Hi Phyllis it's also nice to meet u thank you Hun yes it was a scan for my lungs I guess I knew myself that something wasn't right as I had been sick from October till Jan and was coughing my lungs out excuse the pun I stopped smoking as soon as I was told I had emphysema but had been a smoker for 40 yrs one pack a day my husband died almost 4 yrs ago and I went to 3 packs a day I feel like you, I take responsibility for my self inflicted illness ,Its good days and bad days but it is a lot to digest I'm 57 yrs old and hope to live a full life and die of old age lol I never asked my consultant anything after he said it I guess I should when I see him next month .take care Hun have a blessed day breath easy x
I am also 57. I feel too young to be going through this.
I also hope to live a full life. We have to try to remain positive. That can be hard at times.
Almost two yrs. ago I had a lung infection. I coughed for two to three months. I just thought it was a "chest cold." Right. Then a few months ago I felt it happening again. I started taking medication to get rid of that cough, and luckily it never got worse.
Some of the things we have to do is be sure door knobs are clean, or wipe them off....and other surfaces also. We have to take regular baths go keep bacteria off of our own body. We have to change our habits a lot...and not just the smoking habit. I have almost quit smoking...but it's so hard! Hardest thing I have ever done actually.
I pray I can stop soon. Down to 3 a day and that's really good for me!!
Take good care now.
<3
Hi Phyllis well done being down to 3 a day it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do giving up I loved a smoke I'm not denying it lol I quit but think to myself should have quit yrs ago now the damage is done it's like getting into the buggy after the horse has bolted if u know what I mean Hun but I've learned a lot from this site and it seems it's the first thing to do I vapour though as I get the urge and sometimes it's overwhelming my consultant knows I vapour he didn't say stop its a whole life changing illness I haven't been able to do the walking everyday yet I'm waiting for a place at pr to teach me some excersises.your doing great girl 3 a day it's not easy but you will get there at your own pace Hun .breath easy god bless x
Reversing COPD
26 years emphysema 
COPD Newbie
Severe emphysema medications
