Mother with COPD and 40% Lung capacity

[EinsteinFactor]

Hello all, last friday my mother (58) sat down with me and told me she had COPD with 40% lung capacity left. I wasn't really aware what COPD was so I obviously went and read everything I could on the subject. My mom smoked for a good number of years probably from when she was 20 to 48 however has been smoke free for the last 10 years. I guess my real question is how long could I expect my mother to live under ideal conditions? I realize that this is a very hard question to answer for each patient can be different but in generalities what could I expect. I'm really terrified about the whole ordeal and was planning on taking a job that potentially would remove me from her proximity and not sure if I should do that now. Also my wife and I were planning on waiting a few more years until we have children however now I am re-thinking that aspect also. If worse comes to worse can they just do a lung transplant? Or is this something difficult to obtain, or too risky? Any help or information is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

The best person to answer your question is the doctor evaluating your mom.
I’m not sure what you mean by the 40%, there are several volumes estimated in planning treatment for COPD.
As to the question of survival, you are correct that it would be difficult to answer as any severe infection may cause demise. In general if your mother is in the stable phase, studies in this group of patients show about a 1-2% mortality risk at one year.
Lung transplantation is generally reserved for patients that have failed medical treatment but are still likely to tolerate the surgery. It may be too early to discuss this.
Try to find out if she would require oxygen supplementation, because this has been shown to improve survival outcomes. Most of the other treatments would generally improve symptoms and quality of life.
I cannot answer if you should take the job you are thinking of, exacerbations of respiratory symptoms do occur, it would be very difficult to guess how often she would have such attacks, but in general within a 3 month period – one attack is not unusual. Each subsequent attack would not necessarily mean it would be more critical than the previous one (there would be mild attacks and severe attacks) – but there is a gradual decline in lung function expected over time – so in general there is a trend to poorer recovery over time.
Hope this helped.  

[marsha447]

Hello my name is marsha I also have copd (severe)I DONT NO HOW LONG YOUR MOM HAS HAD IT,ITS  REALLY HARD YOU FEEL TIRED DEPRESSED AFTER A WHILE ITS HARD FOR ME TO WALK FROM ONE ROOM TO ANOTHER,i HAVE A WALKER WITH A SEAT ON IT AND I ALSO HAVE A WHEEL CHAIR MY KIDS CAN TAKE ME TO THE DOLLAR STORES AND ANY OTHER PLACE THAT DONT HAVE THE SCOOTERS.THE HEAT IS REAL BAD TO GO OUT IN IF YOU GO OUTSIDE AND THE POLLEN IS HIGH SHE NEEDS TO TAKE A BATHE AND WASH HER HAIR OR SHE WILL HAVE BREATHING PROBLEMS,IF NOT ALREADY SHE WILL NEED HELP TAKING A SHOWER.THE HOT OR WARM WATER WILL MESS UP HER BREATHING.I HOPE I HAVE HELPED YOU SOME ON WHAT TO EXPECT.          
                                      MARSHA

[wandad0]

My husband is 47 years old and He was just diagnosed with COPD he only has 40% of lungs left. They have him on Spiriva and Symbicort. I have been reading up on this . But my question is has  either one of you started retaining fluid .Feet, well really the whole body is swelling up. The doctor seems like they are other problems some where else causing it like Heart, Liver, or Kidneys. We do not have money to see a pulmonary Doctor. Do you no if  swelling goes along with this disease.
Thanks  Darlene