Does emphysema progress on its own?

[nctrucker]

Am I to understand that emphysema is a disease that will progress on its own, no matter what you do? I have quit smoking, but it worries me that the emphysema will get worse and there is nothing that will cure it. I do not want to live a life in which you have to struggle to breathe at the end stage. 8 months ago, I was diagnosed with what the doc said was a touch of emphysema, and he also said that it may get better over time if I stop smoking. I am not sure exactly what he meant, but I know emphysema is not reversable. I just wonder like everyone else first diagnosed with emphysema, and that is "How long do I have to live?" I have a wife that seems to think that it is not serious and she smokes. After a few months of being persistant, I managed to get her to only smoke in 2 rooms of the house. Don't anyone even try to tell me to play king kong to her about it, cause it is not easy to convince a smoker to not smoke in their own home. I used to be a smoker, so I know. I just hope that I will have a good many years left. I am 51 now, hope to make it at least 20 more or better.

[bjd0316]

Your husband should have a 'Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Defiency' test done. This is a rare genetic disorder where their is a lack of a protein in the blood called, alpha 1 antitrypsin or AAT. ATT protein is mainly produced in the liver and its main function is to protect the lungs from inflammation caused by infections or inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke. The low level of AAT in the blood occurs, because the AAT is abnormal, and cannot be released from the liver at the normal rate. So, over time, as adults, can cause liver disease. So is important to have your husband checked for this genetic problem, since no one knows what caused his emphysema. AAT causes the same lung symptoms as emphysema symptoms. Also, I have heard that there is an infusion that can be performed where they put the AAT proteins into the body (probably a yearly basis), and therefore help with these symptoms.

[bjd0316]

Your husband should have a 'Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Defiency' test done. This is a rare genetic disorder where their is a lack of a protein in the blood called, alpha 1 antitrypsin or AAT. ATT protein is mainly produced in the liver and its main function is to protect the lungs from inflammation caused by infections or inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke. The low level of AAT in the blood occurs, because the AAT is abnormal, and cannot be released from the liver at the normal rate. So, over time, as adults, can cause liver disease. So is important to have your husband checked for this genetic problem, since no one knows what caused his emphysema. AAT causes the same lung symptoms as emphysema symptoms. Also, I have heard that there is an infusion that can be performed where they put the AAT proteins into the body (probably a yearly basis), and therefore help with these symptoms.

[Junebug08]

I understand that being a past smoker myself, it does **** you off when someone tries to tell you to stop smoking in your own house. I smoked for 12 years. I quit 8 months ago because it was causing anxiety problems for me. I am a worry wart and I was so afraid I was going to die from it. I have a child that depends on me to be here everyday so that helped me to quit. It has been a struggle don't get me wrong but I know the outcomes are worth every second of struggle. I will never touch another smoke. As for your wife, she definitely needs to understand that your life is nothing to gamble with. This is serious and she should take the necessary steps to ensure that her smoking is not interfering with anyone's life or health. If she wants to smoke that's on her. I know it is hard to stop. When I stopped my boyfriend still smoked in the house with myself and our child. I preached to him everyday about quitting. My child even told him to quit. He was so against quitting. He felt that it was his life and he would do what he wanted. I thought I would never get him to quit. The good Lord had my back, my boyfriend put his smokes down 2 months after I did and we are both smoke free now. We love it! For all of you smokers out there, there is happiness after quitting. I promise. It will be rough the first couple of months but you can do it. I thought I would never be able to put them down but I did and I am so happy that I did. As for the husband with the wife that won't quit smoking in the house. Try to find something that you can talk about the will encourage her. Sit down and have serious talk with her. Such as our grandchildren need us to be here for them, our children need us, you could get emphysema just as well as I did, etc. If you have the dreadful very important health talk it may change her mind. Good Luck!!!!! Have faith!

[Twistergirl777]

Does anyone know what can actually reassure us that we definitely do not have emphysema. I was tested in 2004, the same yr I quit smoking after 20yrs, in that time I had quit for 6 months, and a few other times, couple wks here and there. Dr. ran chest x-ray which was clear, then PFT tests, in which I was told I blew above average, then finally a CT W/contrast dye, and it was clear. Dr. called and said You do not have emphysema. However, 2 wks ago was told I had 4 leaky heart valves, and irregular heart beat, and also INCREASED LUNG PRESSURE! My mind went immediately to emphysema, because of past scare. But Dr. said he wanted me to do sleep study. However I do not read anything positive about INCREASED LUNG PRESSURE. Only worries me more. I`m hope it is only paranoia now. However, How can we ever be comfortable with an answer? Also, with all of those clear tests in 2004, should I be worried about emphysema. By the way, the Doc scared me into quitting, Thank GOD!!!!

[jillyb1603]

No chance its emphysema

[misspj2]

I was diagnosed with copd, I have never smoked in my life but was in the hospital a couple weeks ago because I could not breath. I am 51, grew up in a house hold where both parents smoked, left home at 19 and have  not lived with anyone smoking in the home since yet I have copd. I have lived in the country most of my life, worked outdoors and have tried to live a healthy life yet have the diagnosis. If the people you live with know that you have an illness and that what they are doing like smoking is killing you, if they loved you they would make sure you were not exposed to it if they could help it, ie, smoking out side the home and not in the car. I realize that quitting is not easy, but it is a choice as to where you smoke though. I don't think it is fair that I have never smoked and yet have copd, but it is more so unfair if I am around someone who smokes and they are aware of my illness yet still light up in front of me. That is not a friend, and they do not care about you if that is the case.  I have not been told that it would get better. I understand that it will progress and there is nothing I can do about it and that is just the way it is, but please, if you do smoke and know someone else who suffers from copd, please consider what they are dealing with and do not light up around them.

[jjrose]

It is a very narrow minded statement to say, "If she loves you she would not smoke".  We might wish that to be true but you can love someone and not be able to quit.