I smoked for 10 years off-and-on till age 27, when I quit for good. That was 41 years ago, and I was stunned to just receive a diagnosis of emphysema! I've also exercised 3-5 days a week most of my adult life, though a painful knee injury has limited that recently. Most of the treatment advice I read says quitting smoking is the most important step to slow progression, along with exercise. But I've already done/am doing these things.
Would love to hear from anyone else in a similar situation, especially those who have been diagnosed for awhile, what the course of your illness has been, and what you've done to slow its progression.
Hi Mettagreetings. I was diagnosed with mild emphysema in February at the age of 59 having been smoke free for 16 years. I have also exercised all my life. I did smoke for 28 years though so although a shock I understood why I had it. Have you been tested for Alpha 1 antitrypsin - this is a genetic link to emphysema which means you can get it even if you have never smoked. It seems incredible that you could have damaged your lungs after only 10 years of smoking. Try not to despair - my consultant was very reassuring that you can keep this disease at bay with living a healthy life so keep on doing what you’re doing. I paid to see a respiratory physio privately and it was worth it for the support and advice on breathing exercises and how to maximise what you have. Your doctor may refer you to pulmonary rehab too which has benefitted a lot of people on here. There is also so much support and information on this site - it has helped me a lot. Good luck!
Hi Brightongirl,
Thanks so much for your encouraging reply. I haven't received genetic testing, but no one in my family that I know of has had any form of COPD, despite the fact that both of my parents smoked, my father heavily, till they were in their mid-30's.
I appreciate the tip on the "respiratory physio". I am in the US and am not sure exactly what that equates to in our health care parlance: a respiratory therapist (usually working in an inpatient setting as part of a multidisciplinary team), a physical therapist with a specialty in respiratory diseases, or some other professional. But it surely seems worth pursuing. I am fairly certain pulmonary rehab will be part of the recommended treatment once I see the pulmonologist, and I look forward to that.