emphysema prognosis

[Joeycim]

My mom has severe emphysema, and has been on continuous O2  for 2 years, delivered through nasal cannula  at 3L.  She is s/p CVA, CHF, and mild MI.  She also has chronic pancreatitis (s/p alcoholism)and HTN.  She still smokes about a pack of cigarettes per/day.  When on  O2 her sats can be as high as 98%.  When off of O2, she can go into the 70s.  She is constantly using "pursed lip breathing", has a chronic, productive cough, and a barreled chest.  She has lost about 16 lbs in the past 7 months, aand has much less energy than ever.  She is 76 years old.  No one has ever given us a prognosis.  Does she have several years left, or several months.  She does not intend to quit smoking.

[joing]

thankyou for the information  --  and yes, the drinks are alcoholic  --  what you are saying makes sense.
I have COPD  - being a mixture of emphysema and asthma  --  seems as if it is mostly emphysema  -  it is reasonably under control at this stage  -- some breathlessness when walking uphill or carrying heavy shopping or luggage.

I'm npt sure if I'm posting this in the right section -  hope you receive it.

[michaelgc]

Except for the pancreatitis, age and # of smokes per day, I'm at the same stage as your mom, and I haven't been able to get any kind of progression time-line either. After my last pfts my dr. asked me if I had a living will or a dnr order or a burial plan though. And even though it won't help much, I do intend to quit smoking. Please stay in touch if you DO get any information, and I will too.



To: joing - assuming the drinks contain alcohol, the reason I have been given is that the body has to divert more oxygen to the digestive system and liver to process/eliminate the drinks. Which ***** actually, the two things I turn to to get me through tough times are working together to do me in. :(

[joing]

3 years ago I was diagnosed with emphysema. I am now 67 and on seretide and spiriva      -       i gave up smoking 7 yrs,ago,
Lately I have noticed increased breathlessness when I have a few drinks    -   I am wonderng if there is a known medical reason for this.