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Emphysema at 33 😢

Posted , 13 users are following.

jodie49479
jodie49479

Hi I've just been diagnosed with Emphysema and I turned 33 only 2 weeks ago. Pretty young eh? I don't smoke cigs but been on the e cig for 5 years. Before the e cig I wasn't a heavy smoker just 5 a day. I can only assume it's the vapour from the ecig?

I have no idea how to feel about this diagnosis as I was sent it in a letter from the respiratory surgeon at the hospital after review of my CT scan results. I'm a bit upset with it as I've no idea what stage I'm at and the only thing it said in my letter is I'm going back in 6 months to have another scan!

I'm a single mummy with 2 young children so this is very scary for me. Is my life expectancy shorter now? I don't usually have noticeable symptoms however my chest is very bad at the moment and I do struggle to breath.

I'm off to the Drs today to get patches to help me come off the ecig.

Any comments on this will help my scared and confused head. 😢

1 like, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • peter52980
    peter52980 jodie49479

    Posted

    Most people develop COPD much earlier in life, usually by smoking or pollutants either airborne or thru working with hazardous materials. It usually remains in the background till later on as we age, usually late 40's up.. it can be triggered by exposure to smoke or other reasons even if one has not smoked for many years......

    At your age i would think Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic (inherited) condition – it is passed from parents to their children through their genes. Alpha-1 may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age.

    For each trait a person inherits, there are usually two genes; one gene comes from each parent. People with Alpha-1 have received two abnormal alpha-1 antitrypsin genes. One of these abnormal genes came from their mother and one from their father.

    Alpha-1 cannot be diagnosed by symptoms or by a medical examination alone; you need to get a blood test to know for sure. Contact your doctor and discuss if testing for Alpha-1 is appropriate for you. If you agree to be tested, your doctor will write a prescription for the test.

    Testing for Alpha-1 is simple, quick and highly accurate. Testing can be conducted on a blood sample (blood draw or finger stick test). Consult with your health insurance provider to determine if your plan covers the cost of this test.

    Doubt e-cigs has anything to do with it as they have not been around long enough to be clinically tested.....but all the same i used them to quit smoking and weaned off them as they can easily become another much less dangerous addiction. 

    • jodie49479
      jodie49479 peter52980

      Posted

      Thank you Peter. I've had the Alpha 1 test already. The results are ready but my GP has failed to review them yet so I'm still waiting for a phone call. I am chasing this daily.

      Thanks very much for your reply.

    • jodie49479
      jodie49479 peter52980

      Posted

      Hi Peter just to let you know I've tested positive for Alpha 1 .... I'm a carrier.

      I have my lung function tests tomorrow to look at what level of damage has been done to my lungs.

      Wish me luck! This is a really tough road for me right now. I'm getting my children tested this week.

    • peter52980
      peter52980 jodie49479

      Posted

      Jodie...i totally emphasise what you are going thru except my kids were young adults......

      Let me know how you go and if you need any info let me know.......Love Peter xxxxxxx

  • Brinny
    Brinny jodie49479

    Posted

    Hi jodie49479,

    I'm 32yo, have been smoking since I was about 15yo (obviously didn't start out as a heavy smoker though).

    I'm now 32yo and smoke maybe 20-30 smokes a day (until yesterday).

    I went to a Dr (not my normal GP) as I have a chest infection and wanted antibiotics for it. So I saw a Dr I hadn't seen before who listened to my chest and the horrible wheezing etc, gave me a prescription for prednisone and antibiotics.

    She said she believes that I have emphysema and wants to start lung function tests as soon as I'm over this chest infection.

    I'm BESIDE MYSELF!!! I too am a single mum, I have 3 young boys and I'm scared!!!! I'm very scared!!!

    I stopped smoking straight away, but obviously I'm still petrified.

    How are you going? Have you had any more news or test results?

    I had a chest X-ray 3 months ago and was advised that my lungs were clear, but my new Dr dismissed that.

    • peter52980
      peter52980 Brinny

      Posted

      Prednisone and Antibiotics are the usual treatment if a lung infection is suspected but a GP cannot diagnose COPD let alone narrow it down to Emphysema.....So going and getting some tests done by a Respiratory Specialist is the only way to find out..

      At your age I would tend o get a Alpha 1 Test done as well....It is a very simple blood test.......So  try and stay calm which I know is really hard to do for anybody, let alone someone in your situation....Get a referral and see a Pulmoonary Doctor....

      Take care...Peter

    • jodie49479
      jodie49479 Brinny

      Posted

      Hi Brinny

      I tested positive for Alpha 1 ... I'm a carrier

      Have you had this test?

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