Do I have emphysema?

[mamandamour]

I received X-Ray results as well as a pulmonary function report.The chest X-Ray (done end January) say "There is minimal hazy silhouetting of the left heart border and left medial hemidiaphragm, likely corresponding to a triangular opacity in the anterior hemithorax on the lateral radiograph. This is felt to likely represent a fat pad or possibly minimal atelectasis. There are no plural effusions..." and the pulmonary function report (done a month later, end of february) says "Possible early obstructive pulmonary impairment. This is sugested by the FEF 25-75 with a normal FVC and FEV1. This finding can be due to a mild degree of small airway disease and/or the earliest stages of emphysema. This may be reversable in nature. Bronchodilator therapy was administered followed by repeat spirometric testing. The FEF 25-75 is significantly increased indicating that this patient would most likely benefit from continued bronchodilator therapy."  I am a 38 year old woman, never smoked in my life. I have had recurring colds, pneumonia and sinus infections.  I get dizzy a lot and am often tired (mind you I have a two year old son) and have been losing weight with no effort.  My doctor says not to worry, that the doctor who reviewed my pulmonary test results is lazy and slipped in an automatic text, and that I don't have emphysema or anything to worry about. However, the spirometry technician who actually performed the test said results indicated I had a pulmonary obstructive disease. Who do I believe? Any advice on my next steps? I have a new doctor (I recently moved), and think I should bring her my results for a follow up. I figure, worst case, I do have emphysema, at least I can do something about it now instead of finding out years from now.

[Sunny602]

Both asthma and emphysema are both obstructive disorders, except that asthma is reversible with brochodilators which is what was seen with your PFT's. I am not a doctor, just an ex ICU nurse who has been a pulmonary guinea pig for years now, nothing replaces the advice that was given by your doctor. He is probably right as far as automation, many PFT's use automated text until it gets the final say from the pulmonologist who reviews them (in my hospital it was like this). From what you are saying, the PEF 25-75 measures your small airways, in asthmatics, this value is lowered, which is what happened to you. AFter a nebulizer, this value will get better as it did with you. The FVC (forced vital capacity) and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume over one second) were normal according to what you say which is great.
I think that with all of what is going on with you, that it is a good idea that you are seeing a new doc and yes, bring all documents with you so that he or she can review them. Perhaps what is happening to you isn't lung related, maybe something else is going on. Either way, you need an answer. Sunny