Emphysema changes

[Joanne5]

I am a 39 year old female.  I recently went to the doctor for some pressure in my chest and was told that I had changes on my chest x-ray.  Basically they are hyperinflated and she said barrel chest.  Her response was "I am on my way to emphysema." I am extremely scared now.  I have been a heavy smoker since I was 16.  I tried to discuss this with her further but she was a nurse practitioner and in a hurry and I couldnt get much information.  Does this mean I have emphysema now or am in the beginning stages?  Does this mean that it is possible I won't have it if I quit smoking or I will have it but not for a while.  Everything I read says the life expectancy is less than 10 years.  This scares me.  I do get short of breath if I exercise or run or go up several flights of stairs.  I am okay though doing normal activities.  

[Joanne5]

I have an appt. with my primary care doc on Friday to get some better information and hopefully a pulmonary function test.  I also plan on starting Chantix after I get it from the doctor.  I really want to quit but its so hard.  I know I really need to now because I want to be around for at least another 20 years or so.

[tomcat47]

Im 46,,,,and was told in 1992 to quit smoking,roughly 16 years ago,,                 that my lungs didnt sound good,,,,I didnt,,,,5 years ago I was told that I have copd,,,had breathing taste and never was told what percentage of lung cap,I lost,,,I take spriva and albuterol,,,I did quit smoking for two months in april,thanks to chantix,,,stopped taking it to smoke agai,,that stuff does work>>I will  be taking it again,,I still like i did back then,,,,some days are worse then others,but I still have a 12 hour a day work day,,,quit smoking and take meds,,you shuld do ok.....

[SkinnyGary]

I was told at 39 or younger that I was on my way there also. I was told to quit smoking but didn't listen. Was always short of breath and given a couple of inhalers. Fast forward 10years, kept getting worse, was given a test to check for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and was positive type ZZ.
I think you should think about getting tested for that, and also get a pulmonary function test, and by all means give up the smokes. Otherwise 10 years could be a number not far away.
Gary