Hello Friends,
I just read a post that anything less than 50% lung function was not good. My husband is at 40% as of the last visit, according to his Doctor. I would like to know what test is used to determine this, as the only thing I saw that he had was a CT scan. How bad is this? Any help is appreciated, Thanks, Mary Ann
MA-Sorry I don't have specifics to suggest, but I'm sure you'll hear from some wonderful folx. I'm pretty new myself since my diagnosis, so we'll learn together. We are here for you.
m
Hi having any reduced lung function isn't good! 40% comes in the severe stage. They can determine this from a spirometry or a CT scan so it should be accurate.
It's best not to worry about the stages and just go by how he feels as this is the most important factor. There are many people at this stage and lower who still lead a full active life. Remember that these days most people die with copd rather than from it.
I hope you feel a bit reassured. x
Thank you, Lil. He had a CT scan from his pulmonary doctor and has been released until November unless he develops issues. He feels terrible, can't breathe, cramps in his legs, hands and rib cage. Just managing his own bathing and shaving is a chore. Can't walk even from room to room without struggling. Just breaks my heart. But he is still smoking 20-30 a day and I feel like his only chance to get some better is to stop. I do feel reassured but also know that the decision must be his to help himself.
Thank you so much for your support.
the only thing that is going to get him better is pulmonary rehab and quit the ciggs. no joke. they gave me 2 yrs if i kept smoking. i'm on year 11 now but i did what it took to educated myself. you can lead a horse to water but can not make them drink. he has to want to get better. good luck
I know valeriejean, and I think he is cutting down now and will make an attempt a quit soon. I can see him smoking less everyday and I know he wants to quit, he is just afraid to. If I say too much he gets angry so I just gently nudge him to quit. Can you explain the pulmonary rehab?
When I could no longer breathe enough to take a drag I had to quit. My pulm doc said if I wanted any quality of life I need to move to sea level and do Pulm Rehab. So i moved to Oregon and called up the hospital and set up the classes. They educate you on how to breathe, nutrition, exercise. I thought well this is nuts, I can hardly walk into the other room. Two times a week for an hour on the treadmill Nustep, bike, hand wts and after four years of learning how to breathe correctly and exercising I can now throw my oxygen tank on my back and pretty much go anywhere as long as there is no smoke and chemicals. I use a pulsoximeter to make sure my saturation stays above 90% to save my organs. His doctor can set it up. I am on several nebulizers and rescue inhaler. He can live a good long life, a bit slower perhaps but he has to do the work. Good luck to you both! Feel free to contact me anytime.
Hi MABS will tell your something to pass onto your husband. My lung function is mid 70's and even at that level I was struggling to walk and quite SOB. I moaned to the doctors and nurses about it and they all said the same - give up smoking as this is causing your more serious issues.
I said ******* it's the copd and past smoking which is causing it. I packed in the ciggies 25th July just gone and within 3 days I was walking and breathing a lot easier. They were right and I owe them all an apology! It is exactly the same with your husband.
Even with a lung function as low as 40% stopping the smoking will make him feel so much better. Less SOB and breathing much better. Leading a healthy lifestyle with exercise as well will make it much easier for him.
Has he been to PR yet? He will learn exercises there or if not look online. They are exercises especially tailored to copd suffers and will help his muscles use less oxygen ie to be more efficient and this will help his breathing a lot.
There are folks on BLF (don't know about on here) with a lung function the same of less than him and who are suffering a lot less. Also too with carrying on smoking he is risking massively accelerating the disease and hastening his death. If he is happy to do that then there is not much you can do about if I guess.
If not see if you can get him to join the Quit smoking site on here. I am there and they are brilliant. He doesn't need to have stopped or even planned a quit date to join - I lurked there for a good couple of months soaking up all the love on there and positivity and it's thanks to them I have stopped now.
Ask him what he is choosing - life or death! Sorry to be so blunt but this is what he needs I think, but obviously you know him best. Take care sweetheart xx
Lil, I am going to share this with him tonight, after work. I just know if he would just quit he will feel so much better. I know how great you feel because I do too, quit July 23 and will never go back. I will continue to encourage him to quit but as an ex smoker you and I both know that he will quit only when he is ready and dig his heels in hard if pushed too much. I lurked here too and without it I would not be quit I think. He is not much on internet stuff but I will offer him my tablet and see if he gets any inspiration. I am trying to learn about PR but have had no luck so far locally and don't understand why Pulmonary Dr did not mention. I am digging for more info. I did get back my stationary bike from my sister and demanded he use it as much as possible and he is trying! So I am hopeful. Thank you, dear Lil. xx
Aw bless you MABS, you are more than welcome. Well done you for quitting and I bet you feel a whole lot better too. It took me ages to pluck up the courage and I put it off and put it off until in July I just stuck a patch on without expecting much. It stayed on and I stayed off the fags (virtually - just the odd 1 when madly craving). It's like a whole new world is opening up for me.
You need to be referred to PR so ask your doctor. S/he should know of anything in your area. I think they are nationwide. Hugs Lil xx
Oh just checked and seen you are in USA. I don't know about there coz I am in the UK and rely on the (mainly) wonderful NHS. x
I am searching now for info but I am doubtful, since no dr has mentioned it. I may need to get them to start one!
Go for it 
x
they have the Pulmonary Rehab in almost every hospital in with the Cardiac Rehab.
I do see the local hospital has a cardiac rehab so I'll check on it but I called his dr and asked and am waiting on a call back. I see on the VA website that they offer it but not locally. Thank you so much for all your help.
My pleasure...ya the VA is usually too far away, if he has other insurance or maybe the VA will cover it. Medicare covers some but i paid like 36 bucks a month. They have III phases and the last one is called a maintaince and you can go for years to it if you want to. I liked going there because if it's a good one you can get educated. I now have a treadmill at home and go to a local gym. Just tell the doc he wants to go to save his life. I called the Cardiac rehab myself and asked about Pulm rehab and they were glad to have me. I have heard tht's not always the case but good luck to ya!
I have 30% and I live a very full and happy life. 4th stage emphysema . A lot is in how you handle it. Always think positive, it helps.
I quit the smokes 9 years ago.Beenreal bad for awhile so quit too late.better late than never.My levelin low 20s,onoxyjen,had cancer, ruined lung transplant,went for pulmonary rehab,tested and told as ofnow i cantgo lungs not strong enough.also have had grand mal seizures since 5 so ,after a seizure when iwake never know whats going to happen to me.
Nepats,sounds like you really have a tough go of it. I am sorry, it can'take be easy. Glad that you did at least quit smoking, I am sure it has helped you. I have been searching for help for my husband and have found that there are so many in worse shape than him. And he needs a positive attitude. I hope things get better for you, thanks,Mary Ann.
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) is used to evaluate your numbers. Also note: the only way I could quit smoking was to pick a quit day (like 10 days from now) and have my first cig. each day at a later time (that is, first cig. today at 8am, first cig. tomorrow at 10am. Etc. On "quit day" had my first cig. at 4:30 pm. Smoked until I went to bed. No cigs the next day. This method worked wonders for me.
I have never received a percentage. Just told "moderate". Maybe it's best not to know lol!?
Everyone has to quit in their own way and you have to be ready to quit. I am just into week 7 and the first 2 weeks were really bad but I can say that now I feel great. My husband's percentage has remained at low 40 for 1 year, not much change. Some doctors may not use the percentages and I feel that might be best in the early stages. I think his doctors watch those numbers to see his progression. Thank you all for your responses, it really helps me better understand what we are up against. I wish he would quit smoking but I can't force him.
I am excited to join COPD Friends! A Right2Breathe introduction...
Induced coma vented and trachea 
I the past 7 days I have learned a few things
Still coughing and spluttering!!! 
COPD Advise please
