The Alpha-1 test should have been the first test they did on you before making a diagnosis. Has anyone talked to you about LAM? It is a disease called Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a disease that only effects women of reproductive age, and it mimics symptoms of COPD, and emphysema. It is diagnosed by CT scan. I am 30 years old and I have just been diagnosed with LAM. For the past 6 months, I have been from doctor to doctor trying to get to the bottom of this because I was also initially diagnosed with copd. I would get a second opinion, and ask about LAM. LAM is rare, and your doctor may not even know about it, and probably has never seen a case of LAM. But keep searching for a doctor that will work with you, because at 30 I would not accept a diagnosis of copd, and at 21 you definitely shouldn't. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Jenny
I agree with Gary, please don't listen to the numbers. I have known folks who were in end stage COPD to live beyond 10 years...Prognosis varies person to person. I also agree that you should be tested for Alpha 1, you are very young to have COPD. I hope you are going to a good lung specialist, if you aren't...please see one who can give you optimal care and do further testing. Sunny
Don't believe everything you read.
At your age you need to be tested for Alpha-1. It's a genetic type of emphasema. Many people have lived way longer than 10 years after DX.