COPD Lung Disorders and transplant

[qutie1950]

My boyfriend a 51yr male has been listed for a lung transplant in the next 30 days.He was diagnosed with,PF,COPD, and emphysema.. He has no other health problems. His PFT scores average 51% and he uses oxygen most of the time.He has never undergone a second opinion from a pulmonary doctor.Does he really need a double lung transplant or is there medication that can be used instead of this drastic surgery? He also has never been prescribed any medications for this condition.

[dmeaust]

by dmeaust, Aug 21, 2009 11:11AM
To: COPD/Emphysema
I suffer from COPD/Emphysema as diagnosed 18 months ago after mentioning my ever increasing shortness of breath on very short exertion. I am not far past 60 years. I commenced smoking in my mid 20's. My GP -  local MBBS as they are known in Australia resisted prescribing the inhaler and two puffers  until I ceased smoking. That has occurred now finally. He will NOT give me O2 (Oxygen treatment) and further stated there was not a chance for a lung transplant, even one lobe. I understand females are more vulnerable than males, I am female.

Medication, Spiriva Inhalation 18mcg daily, Salbutamol and Seretide puffers q.i.d x 2 puffs daily. After about 6 months on these medications, I actually feel no ease or improvement.

Recently as broadcast on our free to air television, a medical program of surgery and chronic conditions, two males early 60's, received one lobe each of a transplanted healthy pair of lungs from a deceased person.

I  have seen a Respiratory Specialist and he also advised that those with COPD.Chronic Emphysema rarely get a look in on the transplant recipient list. The surgery was performed at one of our major teaching hospitals in Sydney, Australia.

I don't know what the situation is in other countries other than Australia, incl US and UK, but for a second opinion could a medic advise me on this forum, kindly.

The stats in Australia are not good, 3 lung transplants per month in one major teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. That is St Vincents Hospital, a major hospital, with an excellent record of transplantation.

Maybe I need to travel to another Country?

[RVGRINGO]

I am now 71 and smoked for 43 years, until my first heart attack resulted in two stents in Maine, 1999. Then, I got four more stents in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in 2005. The quality of the hospital in Guadalajara was spectacular, as was the care. Now, I have COPD and burning lungs for part of each day. Since I also have hernia and diverticulosis, I find that relieving gas or having a bowel movement helps a lot. My breathing isn't great but I live at 5200 feet above sea level in a dry climate with perfect weather all year (Chapala, Jalisco) and that helps a lot. Heat and humidity don't leave me much breathing efficiency, and I can't imagine bundling up for cold weather, ever again. Here, we seldom ever get a cold. I do get a flu shot every fall and a pneumonia vaccine every five years. I used to visit other parts of Mexico at 7300 - 9000 feet high, but now, sadly, avoid those places because it gets a little more difficult to walk at those altitudes every year. I do use Spiriva every 36 hours, Albuteral inhalers and Combivent inhalers daily. I have a nebulizer but try to avoid using that; only if I do have a cold and a lot of phlegm to get rid of. Doctors, especially in the USA are of little help. Here, they actually care and are helpful. It is also a lot less expensive, obviously, to buy medications because no prescriptions are necessary unless it is a narcotic. You can get medical consultations for $2-$35 USD instead of having to mortgage your home.

[lynnkay]

My mother had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. She was deeply in the final stage of the disease. A single lung transplant was performed on her. I will be very straight with you. My mother died 4 mths. after the transplant. During that time she went home for only 2 days. What she went through after the transplant was brutal and the suffering was terrible. There though are many successful lung transplants. I feel very strongly that your boyfriend should seek a second opinion. And it is appalling that his doctor has never prescribed him any medications for these lung diseases. They were going to perform a double lung transplant on my mother. But opted for the single lung transplant, as they felt she would not survive a double lung transplant. I too am 51 and have COPD. I very much understand your deep concern for your boyfriend. Lung transplants are extremely serious operations. A doctor that has not prescribed any meds for these lung diseases, but recommends lung transplant, I would be seeking a second opinion and quickly. I hold your boyfriend and you in my thoughts and prayers. I do believe in lung transplants, but only when all options have been attempted.