Please let me know

[Scaredwife]

My husband has stage 4 emphysema and on 24/7 oxygen, 2 liters. He get out when he can but is tired all time. He coughs but not continuoiusly. How long can I expect him to live?

[Dgtheel]

Which rescue inhaler does he use? My Dr switched me from albuterol to combivent, it has two ingredients, same one that are in duo neb solution. I also have stage 4 emphysema, and have for over 6 yrs. Does he see a pulmonary dr? If so see what they can give him for cough, the more he stays active the better. I use my rescue inhaler before I do activities it help slow down how soon I get breathless.

[Nightsweats in reply to Dgtheel]

While he tires easily, as long as he isn't coughing too badly, he probably has a way to go. Usually the coughing fits get worse toward the end. But it is all a slide downhill. One guy in our building was doing ok, and just tired last summer. But over the winter he is coughing alot and it's doubtful he will see another complete summer. He is on home hospice care. He is homebound now.

[Scaredwife in reply to Nightsweats]

How much do you consider alot of coughing

[Nightsweats in reply to Scaredwife]

Coughing about every 15 minutes, or having frequent coughing fits that cause incontinence regularly. My mom would get steroids for 3-5 days to help her coughing. She would get off of them and deteriorate within 4 days of not having them.

[andyrrc]

Hi there, the how long is a difficult question to answer and I am sure not even the doctors can say for sure. There are many people who live for decades my father for one has had emphysema for over 45 years and is still going strong, admittedly he is not at stage 4 and does not need oxygen. Follow the rules, avoid the colds and flu that go around, eat well and get as much exercise as possible and the when can be extended for many years.

Andrew

[Nightsweats]

Be sure to check if he is taking guaifenesin for mucus relief. That helps his cough be productive. I take 1 tablet of 400 mg, about 3 times per day.

[Essiet]

Essiet Nobody know when someone is going to die. I have stage 4 copd and Iam doing everything I can do to live and I don;t sit around and worry about when Im going to die. Saturday I had my 70th birthday and I had a barbecue and went to a festival in town and sunday I went to a beautiful place an hour and a half from my home and I rode my scooter thru these beautiful gardens and I was there for 6 hours and then came home and watched tv. Im doing good. I geet out of breath but when I do I sit down for a few minutes until I can breathe good then I get up and go about my business. Is your husband drinking a lot of water? Is he taking vitamins? is he getting his rest? Is he eating properly? Has he quit smoking? Is he getting fresh air everyday? If he is just sitting around and thinking about dying then he will not do good. He needs to stay active and keep his mind active. God Bless both of you.