xray findings

[fburs]

I smoked for 40 years and stopped 11 years ago. I have had several chest x-rays and chest ct's over the past 3-4 years (had cabg in 1998). over the past 2 years my studies have found findings consistent with severe emphysema. I have no symptoms of chronic cough, shortness of breath or decreased activity. My question is: what is the best way of treating these findings and what is my prognosis?

[sstitanic2]

Since you have not had any of the signs of emphysema, I would seek another opinion. Some times these tests are not accurate for what ever reason. I would think you would know if you had this, but sometimes a person doesn't realise small changes. Don't panic yet and get another opinion.
Good luck

[allmymarbles]

Severe emphysema and no symptoms? Impossible.

[sstitanic2]

I ran across a web sight yesterday that may be of some help to you. It is Alpha1health.com. This alpha 1 is a deficiency. It is hereditary. It is usually misdiagnosed as asthma, allergies, bronchiectasis, emphysema and copd. All of the above have similar symptoms. If you think you would have been misdiagnosed, maybe you should check out this possibility.

Good luck and God Bless

[martin744]

I have to say if you have no symptoms then how could they have diagnosed you with "severe" emphesima. You might want to get a second opinion and also check where your doctor got his medical license... if he got his diploma out of a cereal box...thats not a good sign. LOL  All fun aside. You talk about your findings...what exactly were those findings, because the things you mentioned that you don not have are the typical findings for even mild emphesima... so i'm confused.