Update

[dying2breath]

Hi everybody! I was first diagnosed with emphysema during a visit to the ER. I thought the Dr was slipping himself some of the good drugs because I am only 35. Yeah I do smoke alot but uhh...im only 35. When I followed up with my Dr he didnt really seemed as shocked as I was about the diagnosis. I have had chronic bronchitis, and have had pneumonia twice, and some allergy problems. He decided to do a PFT in the office and thats when he was totally floored by the results. He said that I  have the lungs of an 80yo who has smoked for the last 60 years. The reason he said my prognosis is "bleak" is because I also have hypertensive cardiomyopothy. Due to my age, the first PFT results, other health issues, and my CT scan, I go to the hospital tomorrow for a full PFT study. ABG, MVV,DLCO etc. They said I will have the results right away, so I will let you all know how it goes. I have had the AAT result and I do not have an AAT deficiency...that was the first thing the Dr thought of. :) He said it didnt really matter if I had the deficiency or not the end result is the same.....I have severe COPD.

[teko]

Well, that is certainly better news, but still you are just so young! Wow!

[dying2breath]

Sorry its taken so long to give you all the news....you know life busy busy busy :) Ok, my full PFT study went better than just the test they did in the Dr's office. While it does show severe COPD my numbers were better and the got even better after the bronchodilator. The respritory therapist said with numbers as low as mine she figured that my ABG would have been somewhat concerning but all my values looked perfect! She also said that to her it looks like the Dr. just needs to change the type of inhaler im on and that I need to use it every 4-6 hours even if I feel like I dont need it because it really does help. Pulmonologist is looking at my results, she said because they are so busy it could take up to a month for my Dr to get that report. I dont have a follow up with my Dr till August. Cardiologist said that the cardio issue is just from having so high blood pressure for so long without it being treated. He said that the severe COPD does have an impact on my heart simple because it is working 'extra' hard to supply my lungs. The combination of the two is not good but he feels that it is something that we can deal with. I have another echo in January to make sure my ejection fraction hasnt gone down any further.

[teko]

Severe? You are so young for that! I too have copd, moderate range and am still working on the quitting smoking thing. I am supposed to do advair 250/50 twice daily and have an emergency inhaler also.  I dont do the meds tho, cause they are just too expensive. Is the hypertensive cardio caused from the copd? Please share your PFT tests with us and let us know what he says. You might also as about a rehab program that I hear helps a lot but you have to have a script? I hope he is wrong on your diagnosis.