hyperinflated lungs

[shelly972]

my cxr showed hyperinflated lungs, gp said i had copd had to be admitted to hospital very breathless,doctor there said i was tooo young did not have copd.pft test result was 76% after second try first was 73%.went to private hospital done ct throax showed i had RB-ILD and start of emphysema the doctor said i just had large lungs. I dont know which doctor to believe,do i have copd or not i am 36 but i have smoked for 20 years.I am on inhailers and when gat very breathless i go on steroids and antibiotics. what do you think?

[National Jewish Health]

With that much smoking, you could have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with hyperinflated lungs even at the age of 36, but that is not as likely as other conditions at that age.  You should definitely see a lung specialist called a pulmonologist.  Respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD) would be as worrisome as COPD.  You need to know what is going on and not depend on here-say.  Your current doctors will almost certainly not be able to sort this out for you.

[shelly972]

thank you for your advice.Would you be able to tell me more about RB-ILD as my GP has never heard of it.Will my symptoms get worse and will i end up on oxygen?