Jean IA State Captain

Jean IA State Captainasked the question: Newly Diagnosed with COPD: How Will I Cope?

Your description of your experience with the spirometry test is odd. For most of us a shot of albuterol (which is part of the testing routine) would have had the effect of either making our breathing a bit better or at least no worse. It wounds...

8 hours ago

Cupofjoe

Cupofjoeasked the question: Newly Diagnosed with COPD: How Will I Cope?

I was recently diagnosed with COPD, moderate. I am very happy with my PCP , Pulmonologist, and Cardiologist. I am also a retired registered nurse who worked primarily in mental health. I am so frustrated and depressed, I canโ€™t imagine how most people...

11 hours ago

Kristen Willard

Kristen Willardanswered the question Hello- worried about motherโ€™s xray results

Hi Ashjc, we can tell from your post how much you care about your mom. As others have said, a pulmonologist will be able to give you a clearer idea of what is happening. I know it is hard to deal with uncertainty and the possibility of a new diagnosis, …

11 hours ago

Otter

Otteranswered the question Hello- worried about motherโ€™s xray results

Your momโ€™s smoking history seems minimal (I think a 30-pack year history and beyond is where the stats become worrisome). I was recently diagnosed with asthma at 56 ... and I understand that over many years, asthma and morph into COPD. And as a lifelong …

13 hours ago

Mmcherry2010

Mmcherry2010

Good Morning Everyone- I am newly diagnosed with COPD. It was a flute of catching it early. I was in an accident a couple years  ago and my lungs full of  nogules led me to a pulmonary dr. I thought for the last 2 yrs all my symptoms were from my bruise lung but my dr said, โ€œno my dear that healed 18 months agoโ€  my COPD is Alpha-1.  


Iโ€™m still healing from my accident and learning/living Codp. Thatโ€™s a lot on my plate currently. 

18 hours ago

Art w

Art w

Hi everyone, I am new to the group. I have had COPD for many years but it hasnโ€™t stopped me from doing much until this year where I was out of breath walking 10 feet. After many tests, they found that my thyroid had grown 3 times its normal size and was pressing against my windpipe. They have now removed one side of my thyroid  and I can feel the relief. 
My problem is that after 3 months of having shortness of breath all the time and not being able to lie down or sleep in my bed,. And even though my breathing is adequate again, I am having panic attacks in the evening and I am scared to lie down.  Still sleeping in the recliner.  Does anyone else have any issues like this? I donโ€™t know how to get past this problem.

18 hours ago

lizimandu57

lizimandu57answered the question Tiova from ADC

I finally got my Tiova Rotohaler from ADC this week. It took slightly over 6 weeks from initial ordering to arrival, which is exactly what they quoted, so no surprise. I have been using it and I have to say I like the rotohaler better than the Handihaler …

20 hours ago

Jean IA State Captain

Jean IA State Captainanswered the question Hello- worried about motherโ€™s xray results

Take a deep breath and calm down a bit. An x-ray is NOT the definitive test for COPD. A spirometry or Pulmonary Function Test is. Have your Mom request one and be sure she takes the x0ray with the radiologist's notes on it, so the pulmo can see it. It is …

1 day ago

Lilli

Lilli

I wanted to check back in with all of you after my first appointment and testing at National Jewish. Iโ€™m hoping I can get your thoughts on what all this means so I can ask all the appropriate questions when I am at my follow up. Thank you in advance for all of your knowledge in the world of copd. Iโ€™m not sure if I have mild copd or moderate at this point, Iโ€™m very confused to be honest. I donโ€™t have my follow up with the pulmonologist until July 5th, though I do have my test results back from all of the testing. The pulmonologist noted mild emphysema, but did not feel this was necessarily causing all of my sob. Possibly some  exercise induced asthma along with vocal chord disfunction. Scope of the vocal cords showed mild disfunction as well as some inflammation and swelling in the esophageal area, due to most likely either post nasal drip or gerd. I actually have both.
Sent to a speech therapist to learn some breathing techniques to help keep the vocal cords open wider. My actual spirometer numbers on the test versus the predicted numbers were;
FVC pred. 3.80 actual 3.29, FEV1 pred 2.99 actual 2.62, .FEV1/FVC pred. 79.33 actual 79.66. DLCO levels were all within normal limits. Thank you again to all of you in advance for helping me with all of this. ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š

1 day ago

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  • LilliThank you Jean and Caroline for your input. The cat scan said minimal paraseptal emphysema. It also noted small bullea in the upper portion of the lungs. The x-ray showed very mild hyperinflation of the lungs. As to the vocal cords, the disfunction was considered mild to moderate and they felt that it could be a possible contributor to some of the sob but would not account for all of it. I have thyroid nodules but blood work taken showed my thyroid levels were normal. I do have trouble with heartburn and some reflux though I have had that for many years. I was diagnosed with a new onset heart murmur about 12 years ago, the echocardiogram showed moderate mitral valve prolapse. I just had another echocardiogram and a done a few days ago and are waiting for those results. The EKG looked normal. The cardiologist thought my breathing was obstructed, the pulmonologist said I had fair air flow. Iโ€™m going to contact my pcp and will most definitely ask what my diagnosis is. I am still having sob during biking, when itโ€™s windy and frequently have a hard time taking a deep breath. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me make some sense out of the test results, I appreciate it very much. ๐Ÿ˜Š1 day ago
  • Jean IA State CaptainIf the results from National Jewish were sent to your PCP, then certainly discuss them with the PCP.  If you have a pulmonologist, I would make sure the result go there as well, and frankly, that's who I would rely on for help understanding the results and to determine a treatment play going forward.  Unless your PCP is very knowledgeable regarding lung issues and complicated diagnoses, my guess is that your pulmo would be far more knowledgeable.  I'd also consider making an appointment with the Nat'l Jewish doc who was the lead in your assessment to discuss the findings, if you still have questions.  You have a number of not very common issues that all may have implications for developing a treatment plan, you want to be sure you understand how they intertwine, influence and inform how you go forward, so you want to be sure that whoever is going to be "point" has a clear idea of how to go forward and where the decision points are.17 hours ago
  • LilliThank you Jean for your very sound advice. I have reached out to the pulmonologist who did the assessment and ordered the spirometer testing as well as the scope of the vocal cords. It seems that what I thought was going to be a clear copd diagnosis has led to more puzzles. I canโ€™t thank you enough for taking the time to respond to my post and for your sound advice. 3 hours ago
JeanO53

JeanO53answered the question Hello- worried about motherโ€™s xray results

Hi Ashjc - Welcome to 360Social!! For accurate information about COPD, click on the "What Is COPD" and "Learn More" links at the top of the page. I think it's a good thing that your mother has chosen to see a pulmonologist. As good as our …

1 day ago

Raven Firelight

Raven Firelight

Hello everyone! First post. I received my chest scan results which stated โ€œhyper expanded lungs with prominence of the interstitium, consistent with COPDโ€ and โ€œShotty mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes present โ€œ. I have not yet seen the doctor since these results were reported. 
I look forward to learning more from you all and the doctors of course. 
Iโ€™m 54 and have 45 pack years under my belt.

1 day ago

edpe77

edpe77answered the question Hello- worried about motherโ€™s xray results

First Welcome Ashj and your mother. I've had emphysema and bronchitis for many years. Sound's like your mother is in early stage of COPD. Not to worry. If that's the case, many people are, just not diagnosed early typically. Knowing this she can make …

1 day ago

Ashjc

Ashjcasked the question: Hello- worried about motherโ€™s xray results

My mother is 60, and other than being a lifelong asthmatic, allergies and some arthritis, she is in fantastic health. She smoked off and on for about 10 years but quit more than 20 years ago. used to be pretty overweight but started eating keto, working …

1 day ago

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota answered the question Help Interpreting Spirometry Results

Hi WomaninNH do you feel the side affects of covid pneaumonia other than needing oxygen? i did get the antibodies but did end up in ND hospital on covid unit. I have had still several side affects. My lungs were bad before covid and now it really is …

1 day ago

WomaninNH

WomaninNHanswered the question Asthma copd overlap

I have adult asthma with my COPD . I was told my cigarette smoking caused it. I do not usually get an attack unless I put myself in situations like going camping and sitting around a camp fire, or if I go to motorcycle weekend and breathe in all of the …

1 day ago

WomaninNH

WomaninNHanswered the question Help Interpreting Spirometry Results

Hi Kandy I have had probably four or five over the last ten years. My FEV1 was 60 for the longest time. I was always worried about my FEV1 which I was able to bring up to 70 with exercise but my DLCO dropped to 41 from the 50s. I just hope I can get my …

1 day ago

QuilterInVA

QuilterInVA

Good morning! I just joined and look forward to getting to know everyone. I have severe COPD (chronic bronchitis) and pulmonary hypertension. I love to read and sew and occasionally knit and cross stitch. Breathe easy and have a good day. ๐Ÿ˜€

1 day ago

Caroline

Carolineanswered the question Alternative Therapy: Cordycepsโ€ฆ. Has anyone tried it?

There are proven health benefits to eating mushrooms, but they are not a cure by most standards. I think that you would have to eat them all day as Dave suggests.

2 days ago

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota

Kandy State Captain of South Dakota answered the question Help Interpreting Spirometry Results

In 2019 my DLCO was 33. I wonder now after Covid what it is? No wonder had to turn up the o2 on leaving the covid unit and home. How often do you guys do PFT's?

2 days ago

FranAmorte

FranAmorte

Hi Kristen,
So nice to see you too! ๐Ÿ˜„
Have a fabulous weekend!

2 days ago

Tin

Tinanswered the question My father has severe COPD.Now constant dry cough inability to produce phelgm.Oxygen levels are dropp

Thank you Maam.I shall try my best to make him comfortable.Thank you for praying for us.It means a lot to me.

2 days ago

SillyMimi

SillyMimianswered the question My father has severe COPD.Now constant dry cough inability to produce phelgm.Oxygen levels are dropp

Hello: I am a retired hospice R.N. Two things I would focus on if I were in your situation: 1.Get in touch with the local hospice and they should send a nurse to help you. 2. Keep his O2 on as much as possible. 3. Focus on keeping him comfortable. I'll …

2 days ago

Tin

Tinanswered the question My father has severe COPD.Now constant dry cough inability to produce phelgm.Oxygen levels are dropp

Thank you for your kind answer.I really appreciate it.We do or actually did have a pulmonologist but we have been unable to reach him in his office or home since last year.I have tried several other doctors online since a house visit could have bewn …

2 days ago

Jean IA State Captain

Jean IA State Captainanswered the question My father has severe COPD.Now constant dry cough inability to produce phelgm.Oxygen levels are dropp

You are in a very difficult situation. I understand that you feel that a hospital isn't safe for him, but do you know of a health professional who could advise you? Even if going to a hospital isn't advised, a health professional's advice would be …

2 days ago

luckymilt488

luckymilt488

Don"t Fear: Do not bhe afraid of your fears; they are simply there to show you what matters most to you.

2 days ago

Bret99

Bret99asked the question: How Much Do You Know About Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease that causes the tubes (airways/bronchial tubes) that carry air to the lung(s) to become widened, scarred, and inflamed from mucus pooling in the lungs. Bronchiectasis is more common in women than men and affects …

2 days ago

Jane M. Martin

Jane M. Martinanswered the question Running ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ Feedbck

Hello mcat43, Wow... good for you! That's a lot of ground to cover in 40 minutes. Kandy and Dave have a good suggestion, to talk with your doc about taking an inhaler before you warm up and run. I've heard that the longer-acting bronchodilators are an …

2 days ago

Lorrie State Captain of South Mississippi

Lorrie State Captain of South Mississippi Mornin Everbody 
Ima still not well . But wanted ta pop in and say Welcome all the new comers and Happy Fluffy Friday.  Here's ole J kitty .
Love ya'ens all 
And please pray for me.  

2 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53Happy Feathery Friday!! 
Captured a picture of this robin yesterday.  She posed so nicely for the shot without any encouragement from me. 

2 days ago

JeanO53

JeanO53answered the question Has COPD360social helped you? How so?

LeslieS - The blue menu looks like this

2 days ago

COPD360social posts are monitored by Vice President of Patient Experience and COPD360social Community Manager, Bill Clark, as well as staff Respiratory Therapists.

Medical Advice

It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.