32yo F, smoker for 16years. Been advised I have Emphysema - so scared please help
Posted , 7 users are following.
So I have a chest infection and bad cough and wheezing, so I went to a Dr locally that I had never been to before.... I just wanted antibiotics and didn't want to travel the 30mins to my regular medical practice (where my Dr is currently on leave anyway)
Anyway, after my appointment I walked out with prednisone 25mg (3 days only, 1 per day), antibiotics and an inhaler (ventolin).
But when the Dr listened to my chest (she seemed fairly young I guess, maybe late 40s). She said she is treating my for emphysema!
I'm going into panic mode!!!
I'm imagining myself dying of emphysema at 40yo and never seeing my kids grow up.
I'm a single mum of 3 beautiful young boys (7yo, 5yo and 4yo). I stopped smoking immediately, but I'm so so scared that I won't be around long.
I have had a chronic cough for years (smokers cough) and your usual chest infections through the changes of seasons etc and coughing up mucous.
But I didn't think I had emphysema!
2months ago I had a chest X-ray and it was fully clear. But as I've read, you can have a clear chest X-ray and still have emphysema.
0 likes, 17 replies
james80978 Brinny
Posted
Don't be scared briny I was diagnosed in2009 when I was getting out of breath and having chest infections frequently. I stopped smoking immediately with the right medication you'll be fine I have antibiotics and steroids on repeat prescription and you'll soon know when to take them. My low point was getting pneumonia but since then I get reviewed every 3 to4 month. I also work full time as aplumber but the young lads do the heavy lifting as I get out of breath. I'm 64 and retire next year and have lots planned to do. So cheer up briny you can still have agreat life ahead of you yet
Brinny james80978
Posted
Thanks James, i really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I am feeling better, even if I have early stage emphysema, it's not the end.
rjb Brinny
Posted
Brinny, you've already announced your best answer. STOP SMOKING right now. Whether it's just a scare or not, it will become real if you keep smoking. Good luck.
Brinny rjb
Posted
Totally agree!!! Even if the Dr was just successful in scaring me into quitting smoking, then I'm very grateful. Because I only had 1 smoke today and I plan on being fully stopped after now.
Smoking is so horrible, I truly wish I never started, but I cannot go back!
I've been to another Dr today and he listened to my lungs, and said that it simply sounds like I have a chest infection and he said he would only be concerned if I was not suffering an infection and my lungs sounded as they did today. So if he rechecks them once I'm well again and hears the same sounds, he will get me more testing done.
I won't be returning to the other Dr ever again!
deanne77778 Brinny
Posted
Hi Brinny,
I really do think that some of these Dr's just band about the COPD thing especially if you are a smoker as they have no other reason to offer even though air polution is very high in this country. O.K. I agree smoking is BAD but we all make our own choices. I was diagnosed with Asthma 16 years ago and I've smoked since I was 10 years old, only a few puffs when I could beg them from my brother, but it gradually increased to 30 a day as I got older. Last year after a routine spirometer I was told it is now COPD and that I had the lungs of a 103 year old!!! I am now 70 and I've cut down my smoking to 20 a day and I feel the same as I did 16 years ago. My point is that Drs can only give you 10 minutes of their time in which they have to give you an answer. The NHS was sued for millions last year for giving the wrong treatment. Please don't worry Brinny, it's such a shame you've been put through so much hell and good luck with quitting smoking, I know it's not easy especially when you have three youngsters to care for.
aitarg35939 deanne77778
Posted
Deanne, you are extremely lucky. My ex only smoked from age 9 to 37, 2 packs/day. Quit smoking cold turkey.
Age 70 has been on oxygen 24/7 for 5+ years, prisoner in his house. Where his portable concentrator used to free him it no longer does because it can only be turned up to 5 and he needs 7 or 8.
Neither brinny nor any other smoker can count on your luck if they choose to keep smoking. I smoked longer than my ex but started at 19 and smoked only a pack/day and am right behind my ex in lung health, having quit again finally in '07 only with the help of the Lord.
I beg you, Deanne, please don't tell folks it's okay to keep smoking when you're on a COPD site; go to "Smokin til We Croakin R Us" or some such, please. I personally wouldn't want to hear that I had the crapped-out lungs of a 103 year old while only in my 70s, but it takes all kinds.
aitarg35939 Brinny
Posted
Hi Brinny
Am glad that you got a more reasonable diagnosis from the 2d doc. Please take care of the infection as when we don't, and I didn't at 31, they can have long-ranging consequences in our lungs.
More power to you on quitting cigs! You are doing great. Most of us here understand how difficult it can be.
deanne77778 aitarg35939
Posted
No way have I said it's o.k to smoke if you care to read my post properly. We are not on this forum to critisise each other but to give support and exchange experiences.
Vee2 Brinny
Posted
Brinny, you need to make an appointment to see your regular doc to have the diagnosis confirmed and maybe ask for a referral to a respiratory consultant.
Regular chest infections are not normal through the change of seasons for a healthy lung person nor normal at age 32 years unless the lungs are damaged.
If the chest infections returns you should go back to the doctor immediately, lung infections should never be left untreated and the quicker you get them treated the less chance of further lung damage occurring.
Regulatar chest infections do suggest there is lung damage. There are many different lung diseases which can cause regular chest infections but with referral to a specialising respiratory consultant what may be causing your regular lung infections can be better determined through a series of tests. Your GP initially can arrange for you to see the respiratory nurse at your GP surgery for a spirometry test before he/she considers you for referral to a specialist.
Definitely stop smoking if you value your lung health and health generally and you want to be in the best health you can for your children's sake. If you take action now you may live a long life and increase your chances of being able to enjoy your children's children.
Best wishes V
Brinny
Posted
I'm off to get a CT scan today, to check my lungs and be sure about what's going on.
Hoping to hear that my lungs aren't permanently damaged, but will see what happens. If they're damaged, I cannot change that now.
I buggered up and things got stressful with family issues and I bought a pack of smokes and have been smoking again.
But I'm going cold turkey off the smokes again today and will try my absolute best to rid myself of these terrible toxic sticks!
Thank you for all the replies. I'll let you know my results as soon as I get them.
tara77076 Brinny
Posted
Hey I do not know if you are still on or even check, but what ever came out of this? Were you cleared from the COPD scare or was it indeed that? Kind of in the same situation. I understand this being 4 years old I'm most likely not going to get a response, but I will try my luck!