Help - info needed!

[sabrinab06]

Hi everyone!

My father was told, a few years ago, that he had COPD. Today (age 59), he went to his general doctor to get the results of his recent CT scan. Results said :"Advanced COPD". He has a terrible cough and he coughs up phlegm, but he is never short of breath. He hits the gym 3 times/week with ease!!

Questions:

- he got a referral to a respiratory clinic -why?? He alreayd knows he has COPD. What tests do they perform there??

- Is it unusal that he has no trouble breathing?? Even though it says "adavanced"?? Or does "advanced" mean that it has been dveloping within him for years?

- How long will it take, if he cant quit smoking, for things to get really bad?

This scared him - he finally WANTS to quit smoking!!! I hope to support him
Sorry for my questions, I am quite new to this...

[LLWB]

I'm sorry for your father's condition. Advanced COPD is very serious. The respiratory clinic will probably evaluate his breathing, and do some testing to determine how much lung capacity he has left.  There are medications that can help him breath easier. Stopping smoking will not bring back what lung function he has lost, but can help slow down the advancing. Has he had chest X-rays or a Spirometry test? If not, they will probably want to do this also.

Encourage him to quit smoking as soon as possible. It also might be helpful if you go with him to his appt., as sometimes there is so much information given that the pt. has trouble remembering everything, or even remembering what to tell the drs.

Good luck, and God Bless you for helping your father.

[sabrinab06]

Thats the unusual thing - he has no problem breathing!
he has a bad cough but he can breathe just fine, he works out at the gmy more than I do..

[LLWB]

That is very unusual. Please post after his appt. I'm very curious what they say! I go for lung function tests on Tues. I only cough some, but am short of breathe. Good luck for him to quit smoking.

[sabrinab06]

I will keep you posted! Thanks for your help!

[lynnkay]

I was diagnosed with moderate stage COPD in Oct. 07 at the age of 50. I had all the necessary tests. My family doctor diagnosed me. I then asked for a second opinion with a pulmonary specialist. The pulmonary doctor also confirmed the diagnosis. It is very unusual that your Father is not short of breath. That was my first warning sign, that something was wrong with me. I wish I could say that I feel good and all. But, many days I simply do not. Even with meds, there are just bad breathing days. Plus, the fatigue can be overwhelming. There is strong evidence, that I am very near, to requiring oxygen. I am just not the person I once was. It can be very depressing. Your Father needs to stop smoking for certain. As was posted to you, he will never regain what lung capacity he has lost. But, stopping smoking will greatly slow down the COPD. But, it is a great thing that he is able to hit the gym the way he is. Exercise builds up the lungs. So, that is very much is in his favor. Advanced COPD is something to be concerned about most definitely. The coughing and phlegm are very much a part of COPD. As was suggested, there are meds to help. It maybe a very good idea to have a heart stress test done. COPD can effect the heart. My pulmonary doctor gave me a heart stress test. I don't want to stress you out anymore than what you already are. But, the stress test would be something to very much consider. I wish you and your Father the best. I am currently going from the moderate stage into the severe stage. Some people just do better than others I guess. Also, eating healthy is very much recommended for COPD patients. Don't you all give up. I am still fighting too. The fact that he is not breathless and exercising like he is, well it very much on his side. Let us know the outcome. I am rooting for you all.

[sabrinab06]

Thank you for your comments and insight!

Right now, the main focus is getting himt o quit smoking. Last week, he was at 8 cigarettes/day (as oopppsed to 25+) - and he was supposed to start the Patch this weekend...but he's trying to avoid it.