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.

[nanaknights]

I don't understand your wife, does she really understand what is wrong with you, to-day I have been diagonosed with it and i quit 14 years ago I am gutted what i have done to my self, i know how hard it can been to quit it was one of the hardest things I have done but boy I am so proud of myself that i did, I don't know your wife but if she loved you she would not smoke in the house or around you  

[iceoteck]

I am so proud of everyone on here that has stopped smoking  good on you  congratulations   I try and stay away  from neighbours with their smoking but you know what the coughing is a smokers cough and they keep smoking   I never smoked a packet a day or even half a packet but did start at the age of 15 years my mate show me how  lol  50 year's so pretty lucky only to  have some Emphysema  breathing okay  yea doing good  but will never smoke again   want my daughter to stop  can't make her but  hopefully she will   smokes are expensive now in Australia  the Government having fun putting the price up  so they get the taxes  and the taxes are heaps   good on you guys  

[buster200]

i have bronchitis enphysema chronic asthma i have not smoked for 35 years was told before christmas then in january told it had progressed quicker than doc expected ot to only they said i have copd

[buster200]

i have bronchitis enphysema chronic asthma i have not smoked for 35 years was told before christmas then in january told it had progressed quicker than doc expected ot to only they said i have copd

[allmymarbles]

Does he work in an office? How is it ventilated? When I got COPD it also came on very quickly. If it had been caused by smoking, it would have been a more gradual process.

[allmymarbles]

Your husband may have been exposed to toxic inhalants without knowing it. What most people do not realize is that organophosphates are commonly used in venting systems (heating and air conditioning) to kill germs. I developed COPD in this manner. I lived in a very fancy apartment that did not have windows that opened and fell prey to a poisoned venting system.

[shiney754]

My husband has been diagnosed with empysema. He hasn't ever smoked nor to his knowledge worked with chemicals that could cause this.He has been to  two of the  finest pulminoligists in our city and both agree with the diagnoses. His CT scans show many small and large blebs, and he struggles for breath at times, tires easily, and his complexion turns a pasty white. This started in July, 2010. Before this he  was extremely active. Now he has to rest after lacing his shoes. He has always taken excellent care of himself, always had his yearly physical exactly when  he was supposed to and now so suddenly this disease has come seemingly out of the blue. His physicians are baffled, as are we. Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?

[jillyb1603]

Could be a genetic disposition to the condition