Husband just diagnosed with moderately severe copd at age 38, what to expect?

[Maral]

My 38 year old husband was recently diagnosed with moderately severe COPD.  The doctor didn't give us his lung function numbers but said that he had the lung function of a 91 year old man.  We have kids, our youngest is 8.  Can you give me a ball park figure on how much time he may have left?  He is trying to quit smoking and is an alcoholic which complicates things.  I am trying to get perspective on how much time he has left, what to expect as to his quality of life, care requirments, and typical progression of this disease.  I have been reading up on COPD and realize that each patient is different which makes my question tough to answer but any information that you can give will help.  Thank you!

[National Jewish]

Your husband is very young to have severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is the name given to a small number of cases of COPD where there is a hereditary basis.  This can occur in people who have never smoked.  It is the result of not having enough of a major protein, called alpha-1 antitrypsin, in the blood.  This is determined by two blood tests.  One test measures the amount of alpha-1 antitrypsin and the other determines the phenotype or genetic pattern.  If this is your husband’s problem then your children should also be tested.  Please read our alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency or inherited emphysema information at http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/copd/about/alpha1-antitrypsin.aspx to learn more.

Systems have been developed to assess prognosis for people with COPD.  Such predictions were initially based on degree of severity as measured by spirometry, specifically the forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1).  The BODE Index was first proposed a couple of years ago.  This scoring system has refined the predictions.  It is based on body mass index (B), FEV1 that measures airflow obstruction (O), shortness of breath or dyspnea (D), and exercise capacity (E).  You should ask your husband's lung doctor to give you a prognosis, based on the BODE Index or other criteria.

[goneman]

Dear Wife, there is no known time frame. I know of people that die at 40, 60, and 90 of this COPD. Smoking is not good. Alcohol is not good. I have severe COPD My FEV1 is 31. Thats what you need to know on your husband. The magic number. Medicalily there is no known relieve. Med's do not realy work, but thy help. When you get to my numbers, some time you wish you had lung cancer because it is a quicker death but the end results are the same. I don't know were you are from but there is a program that lung stints are put in to yor lungs. Hopefully I will be having this process soon. No gaurintees but worth the try. Your husband needs to change his life style and care for his self to live as long as he can. Maybe till he is 70 or longer. Hopefully a freind, Brad

[EROS]

If your husband stops smoking he will have a good life. I have COPD too and I am 37, I have never heard in all my years ( I have this since I was 34) someone dying at 40 who had stopped smoking.

If your husband stops NOW and excersizes there will be a significant improvment in his condition. The meds do improve quality of life. Drinking and smoking go hand in hand, if he continues to drink he will find it hard to stop smoking.

Spiriva and Advair are good drugs he should talk to his doctor about. Try and stay positive, there are many things he can do to improve his life.

He is young, new procedures and drugs are being developed and there has been significant breakthroughs in the last two years.

He will do well and needs all your support.

Eros.

Have a look at this site www.yourlunghealth.org

[poolnoni]

Yes, Yes, Yes.....Take eros advice....STOP SMOKING RIGHT NOW. There are pills out now to help you if can not stop on your own.You are only 38 with many years ahead of you. Who is the stronger one, you or those nasty cigarettes.  Good luck and God Bless

[poolnoni]

Eros...I believe you and I have some strong feelings about not smoking. Don't you agree? Everytime I see someone smoking a cigarette, I just want to grab it right away from them and stomp it out. Oh, I so wish we could get cigarettes off our market.Lives would be so much richer and healthier, even for the non-smokers.

[Maral]

Thank you all for your responses.  It appears that while this will be no picnic that it is somewhat managable.

[ottawaguy]

Hi Folks

Greetings from Ottawa, Canada

I also have been diagnosed with COPD. To top it off in January
I have been prescribed a beta blocker and I think it has shut down
my lower airways ( lungs ) it feels like I sucking air through
a straw. I gave up smoking 6 years ago . I might have a life expectancy of 6 to 7 years maximum . So enjoy it while you can .
This is what I am doing. Thank GOD for social medecine everyone
has access to decent health care in Canada but we end up paying for
it anyways through taxes. SO to all of you who are still smoking
is it worth it ? When I think that a pack of smokes here in Ottawa
is 10.50 which is almost at par with your money I wonder.



Yves
Ottawaguy

[caregiver222]

Get off the booze. There are antigens present in alcoholic beverages, particuliarly beer or wine that can put a person on the verge of repiratory arrest, and result in a diagnosis of COP{D. These substances cause plugs of mucus to form and air hunger to develop. The linkage between alcoholism and COPD is not generally recognized.

[caregiver222]

He might very well find if he stops drinking beer his lung function will return to normal.