Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

I have Myasthenia Gravis. I recently had a Themectomy and in a follow up x-ray report of my lungs the tecnoligist stated that I had Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. I asked my Dr. about it and he said that they can't tell that from an x-ray. I am wondering if he knows what he is talking about, why would they report something like that if they didn't see it? I did smoke for 14 years and my Father has emphysema and my Grandfather died from emphysema. What concerns me is if I do have Chronic Obstructive Lung Disorder what complications I could have with having the Myasthenia Gravis also. Your advice would be appreciated. Thank You.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Cindy:

If you have COPD, then I would confirm it with pulmonary testing.  Once can see hyperexpanded lungs with flattening of the diaphragm on chest x-ray in patients with COPD.  But also with asthma.  There is some of this with a patient with MG, butit would not be as prominent if I remember correctly.  But, an x-ray is not a definitive diagnosis.  Get pulmonary function tests.  Yes if your have COPD and recurrence of your MG, your pulmonary status could be severely affected, over and above that of simple MG.  Once your stable with the MG medications, you might get some pulmonary function tests and see.

CCF Neuro MD