Recently Diagnosed

[Hop53]

Hello everyone,I recently had CT scan for lung cancer and given the all clear for cancer (phew). However, I have an appointment with my GP end of this month as the scan showed I have mild centrilobular emphysema. Shocked 😲 to say the least!!

I'm trying to find out as much info as possible before my appointment. I want to make a list of questions to ask and would like a bit of help from you. Any hints or tips? Stuff I should or shouldn't do? How to reduce progression...... I'm sure you all know the questions that I need to ask

Would really love to hear from you. Thanks in advance for any help/advice. xx

[jackdup]

I think the first thing would be to ask to have a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) which will tell you where you are within the mild range. Getting exercise and eating well and of course if you smoke, quit. Once you have a PFT then it would be a bit easier to offer a bit more advise. If you are prescribed a maintenance inhaler than use it as prescribed, get vaccinations to prevent infections as much as you can as infections can damage your lungs and make the progression worse. If you are mild they may not prescribe an inhaler.

[Hop53 in reply to jackdup]

Thank you. I have read about the breathing test so will make sure I have one and will find out about any vaccinations I may require. Gave up smoking several years ago. Will let you know how I get on. Once again, thanks for help.

[jackdup in reply to Hop53]

Yes please do let us know how you make out.

There is another forum here that has several more members than this one that you might want to check out as well. Good luck with your appointment and tests.

healthunlocked.com/asthmalu...

[Hop53 in reply to jackdup]

Thank you.

[Hop53 in reply to jackdup]

Hi Jackdup, saw my GP yesterday and was told my emphysemia is very mild. Would not do any tests but I now have another appointment to see a Pulminary Nurse who will go through everything with me. Wait and see how I get on.

[jackdup in reply to Hop53]

It must be very mild if he isn’t wanting to do any tests which is good but I don’t think it would have been inappropriate to do a spirometry so you know exactly where you are but suspect the Pulmonary nurse will do that. Certainly good news that it is very mild. Hope all goes well with the appointment and let us know how it goes. Take care.

[Hop53 in reply to jackdup]

Hello Jackdup, hope you are ok.

At last, I have now seen the Pulmonary nurse and had a spirometry. The result was in normal range (all above 80%) She gave me a copy of the results but must admit dont really understand them. She said they will do another test next year. Meantime eat healthy food and keep exercising. If I develop syptoms then make another appointment.Dont know if I should be doing anything else. Hope I will be ok.

[jackdup in reply to Hop53]

That is good to hear and am glad everything is over 80%. Stay active and eat a healthy diet, avoid smoking and pollution as much as possible. If you do a search on spirometry interpretation or results there is lots of websites that will explain the results. I could try to explain them as well but the websites available I’m sure would do a much more thorough job of it than what I would.

Thanks for giving us an update.

[ilos]

Ask if Pulmonary Rehab is available. It's a postcode lottery but if you are lucky do take the opportunity.

[Hop53 in reply to ilos]

Will do. Thank you.