Hello everyone. I’m Lisa and grateful to join this community. Long story short.... I’ve smoked most of my life. From 13 to 55. Now I’ve recently took a test and found out I’ve lost 50% of my lung capacity, and I realize lung cancer is a very scary real possibility for me. I’ve tried to quit 4 times and have failed. But I’m trying again today by tapering off and keeping a journal and logging when and why I smoke. One question I have is this: What is the life expectancy once one is diagnosed with emphysema/COPD. I GOOGLED it and it said 5 to 7 years. Is this true??
My health is deteriorating rapidly. This morning I used my pulse oximeter and is said 73!!!! That’s crazy bad. It eventually went up, but I now know that when I fall asleep my O2 levels plummet into the 80’s. I found this out because I had chest pain and went to the emergency room. They put in an IV and gave me something that made me drift off to sleep for a few minutes then wake up. This repeated many times. The kicker is that the nurses noticed that when I fell asleep my pulse oximeter showed that my O2 plummeted—but when I woke up it rose to the mid 90’s. So that’s how I found out I had a serious problem. I have no idea how long I’ve been oxygen deprived while sleeping. And I know that causes organ damage and can lead to heart failure. I’m very scared. My family is not supportive because they blame me for smoking and for having diabetes. But the were all once smokers. They are blaming and shaming me. They don’t seem too concerned that I’m physically suffering and will probably die sooner than later.
I am very depressed—have been diagnosed—and have unbelievable anxiety. Any comments or suggestions on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Lisa.
Written by
LeotheLion555
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi Lisa. Firstly , I want to say, DON'T GOOGLE LIFE EXPECTANCY! You do have some control over this thing, google natural treatments, there are so many things that can do nothing but good. Next, relax. Yes I'm often terrified too, actually on a lw dose of valium, so when I gasp, I can do so calmly, there is no Shame in treating crippling anxiety. Families a hard one, they can't really grasp how difficult and scary this is, how hard it is t to do the simplest things. Yes I smoked too, but also mysteriously contracted TB, for which I am in no risk groups, but get shamed for that as well. I think people shame us because they are afraid. I remember seeing sick people and thinking, wow that sucks for them, will never happen to me... but here we are. So find ways to care for yourself , there are many people who DO understand and will not shame you. And Pray, alot, God is always listening. God Bless
I am 64 and had been diagnosed this past June. When I was at a Drs appointment my O2 was 54 neeedlessto say they had emt rush me to hospital. I found out I also had pneumonia once again. I have always been on Oxygen 24/7 since diagnosed. I usual have it set on 3. Some weeks with O2 it stays in the low 80. Mine can run as low as 68 and up to 93(rarely). I take it one day at a time. I find when I go to grocery store leaning on cart and pushing it helps me to walk longer and I can breathe better there are meetings Better Breathers Club run by Lung association. Google it or Copd meetings. Helps to talk about it. Best of luck
Life expectancy is different for everyone, my mother lived at least 25 years with emphysema.
I was diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer and mild emphysema 4 years ago (yes I smoked, for about 30 years but I quit 13 years before being diagnosed). My oncologist told me that the emphysema was a given because I grew up in a smoking household, in an era where you were allowed to smoke everywhere, grocery stores, restaurants, even hospitals. My PC thinks the lung cancer came from radon exposure.
I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea (my o2 level was dropping into the 70's while I was sleeping). So my body was getting deprived of oxygen at night for at least a few years, and I am still here (I just turned 61).
Is it possible your family is blaming/shaming you because they are terrified that (as they say) "there but for the grace of God go I"? If they convince themselves that you brought this on yourself, they can convince themselves that it will not happen to them.
You need to start taking care of you and not worrying about what others think, also do your best to get unhooked from the cancer sticks (cigarettes). Seek counselling if you feel the need, look for local support groups as well as the online ones, ask your doctor to prescribe something for the anxiety.
I quit smoking using the nicotine patch, red licorice strips, and butterscotch candy. The patch was to wean my body off the nicotine addiction, licorice was for that hand to mouth action that gets ingrained in you from years of smoking, butterscotch candies were for that residual nicotine craving. My dad used hypnosis to quit.
So please...don't scare yourself by looking for the negative, take the best care of you that you can, and please don't let your families lack of support drag you down. Their attitudes are their problem, not yours.
QUIT! NOW! pretty soon you will not even be able to draw a breath in so you can have a drag. It took me a major surgery to be able to quit. I am very severe stage four. Over eleven years now, when the first pulm doc gave me two. I moved to sea level and did pulmony rehab. You can beat the odds but you have to want to quit smoking or do pulm exercise....that's your choice. Or sit there and smoke until you die like my brother just did. he sat for two years and died of conjestive heart failure and copd. good luck
I know I have to quit. I’ve tried but my stress gets me every time. And I feel hopeless. But I’m going to a bunch of different docs ... pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, podiatrist, sleep study, and getting a CT scan .... so I hope I can find out just how bad my lungs are. My doc never said much ... just that I had emphysema and lost 50% of my lung function. He said I didn’t need to see a pulmonologist. Go figure. I’ve been feeling very ill for about 2 years and I can’t take it anymore. If I have stage 4 or lung cancer I feel like just giving up. With my depression and the diabetes and thyroid problems I’m just overwhelmed. I don’t get any joy out of life. It’s dread every day. Only when I’m sleeping do I not feel bad. And it’s realistically not going to get better. Just worse as I get older. I don’t want to be old and suffering and alone. That’s just not for me. I would never do the unthinkable.... but if I don’t wake up one night I’m ok with that.
I hear ya...i woke up from a life saving surgery where an abcess on my sygmoid colon ruptured. almost died fought for a year to come back. woke up and needed oxygen to breathe. that was 11 years ago at 55. the doc said move to sea level and do pulmonary rehab if you want any quality of life. i could When i told the doc the previouse year I couldn't quit smoking as i was stressed taking care of my stroked out mother for a decade his words to me me...well you can keep smoking and i will visit you in the nursing home...or you can quit and see me in my office. Your choice....i know it's hard. i too am alone w/ other medical problems. you can do it you want to breathe. good luck
Welcome. I have learned to avoid Google at all costs. You will find that many have stuck around for 10, even 20 years practicing a non-smoking lifestyle. Exercise, even a short walk daily, a better diet, some breathing practice daily, and a positive attitude will make a world of difference. Logging on this site will give much hope, sound advice, and an occasional laugh or two. We are with you. Smile kiddoe, you are NOT alone. (that sounds so cliche)
You definitely need to stop smoking because you will get worse quickly. You need to get on top of it. I am taking anxiety meds as I was having panic attacks. Maybe you have sleep apnea as well. I pray a lot and that helps me
First, quit smoking. Immediately make a plan. I smoked for 43 years, quit 14 years ago after 3 months sticking to MY PLAN! Which was...changing habits! For 3 months. Such as 1-no morning cigarette until 1 hour after breakfast; 2- never smoke with coffee; 3- no cigs when talking on phone; 4- no smoking until at least 1 hour after any meal; 5- no smoking before retiringat night and no smoking if awake during night, until an hour after breakfast. 3 months later, have not smoked since. During those 3 months, I smoked only Carltons in the Box, very mild. After those 3 months, used step 2 patch for 2 weeks, then step 3 for 1 week. If my plan doesn't appeal to you, make your own plan that would work for you!
Next, you need to get "outside of yourself". Start a journal, join a book club, volunteer, join a support group, phone calls to others, realize that everyone has a story and we all struggle. You just can't do it alone! This is a good support site, but you need the physical presence of others! We all do. Nothing ever stays the same, so I'm praying you find a way to become stronger emotionally and physically and mentally! Love you!
Not all smokers get COPD so they are the lucky ones. I was diagnosed a few years ago and my lungs where around 50% I also read all the rubbish re life expectancy being 5 years and really panicked . Truth is if you stop smoking and live life ( move about) things can improve for you and you are likely to deteriorate at the same speed as anyone else without COPD if you look after yourself. My Fev1 today is 62% I am usually well but have to be careful to keep away from people with colds in the winter .
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
(I just turned 61).
Husband with COPD
Introducing myself to COPD group
