Help ,Moderate COPD, stage 2 results? fev1 56%

What do you mean by the progression of the disease burning itself out?  I doesn't you know, we can only slow it down, in some cases even for decades,  but it will get us in the end.  COPD doesn't burn itself out!

Do you think I made up the part re burning out. It's been referenced many times in studies. The progression can revert to a similar level as normal decline. See this for example.

"In conclusion, our data show that COPD is not invariably progressive. In more than half the patients in our study, the rate of decline in FEV1 over a period of 3 years was no greater than that which has been observed in people without lung disease. This finding could indicate that COPD may “burn out” or at least stabilize for periods of 3 years or more, which would be good news for patients and could influence a variety of management decisions that depend on prognosis. The continuation of smoking is strongly associated with an increased rate of decline in FEV1"

No I didn't think you were making anything up!  

I know from personal experience that COPD can stabilise, because I have the same lung function percentage as when first diagnosed 3 years ago, but that doesn't mean it's "burnt out", nor that it's "reverted" to anything like normal after more than 40 years of smoking.    I've either been very lucky or the stabilisation has resulted from rehab, exercises, breathing techniques, medication and staying away from air borne pollution as much as possible.

The reason I object to the term "burnt out" is that it implies the COPD has gone and I don't believe that's possible, nor do I believe false hopes are helpful, particularly as most of us with COPD have already spent years in denial of the harm nicotine was doing to our bodies.  

I know and know of far too many people, both on this forum and in my personal life, who fool themselves about their "smoker's cough" and general breathlessness, in some cases continuing to smoke and in others not seeking treatment until the condition is well advanced. 

Thanks for the quotation, which gives hope of stabilisation & inspires me to continue my present regime, but I can't accept that COPD ever burns itself out.

That's very interesting and encouraging ck101. In my first (and so far only) consultation with a pulmonolagist, he said I've probably had my mild emphysema since stopping smoking 15 years ago and that in all likelihood it will not get worse. What is more problematic he explained is my persistent adult onset asthma. He was very reassuring that with good nutrition and eno ugh exercise I needn't worry about the emphysema.

Could you let us know how/where this data came from. Sounds very encouraging, something hopefull for a change!

Jude,

Accept and believe what you want.

The report I refer to is written by a Pulmonary physician and is likely peer group reviewed.

If I had a choice of getting into a debate with you over what I've posted or accepting what this paper states I'd choose the latter.

Sorry to be blunt but you are a little hostile.

Ck.

I wasn't being hostile or looking for a debate, merely seeking more information for the sake of clarity.   

Settle down, I did thank you for the information, that doesn't mean I have to accept it without question.

 

Ok Jude, no worries.

Chis et al.

Heres the report. It's a good one....

http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alvar_Agusti/publication/51712503_Changes_in_forced_expiratory_volume_in_1_second_over_time_in_COPD/links/00b7d52caf9c8ed776000000.pdf

 Ck101, you can be a little blunt sometimes...remember on the 'confusion' posting forum, and how you bluntly replied to my response, regarding what I typed about, asthma versus emphysema? You were a little harsh with me too...lol! I don't bother correcting other people's posting's response's, because I don't care to start this kind of 'correction' thing (atmosphere) among all the forum's members. As for me, my doctor said at first that I had Asthma (but in severe stage), but then changed his opinion to Emphysema...now he has retired, one year after my diagnosis, my new Dr says that she thinks I am too young for the severity of emphysema (severe or very severe stage-bordering, 37% fev1), and she is now in the process of testing me for Asthma (with low end severe stage, 37% fev1), or, some kind of Institual lung disease (37% fev1). But, I didn't want to express all the confusion of my condition, so just took the risk to express what a very friendly Respiratory nurse said to me about the difference between emphysema versus asthma. I guess I believed it, or else I wouldn't have put it on this forum,...he, he! But that was why I posted it, and would be nice if we could post without all the criticism going on in here.