wound up in er ten days ago due to shortness of breath and confusion. Clicking / crackling when I breathe in especially waking up. Hr 90-100 waking up. Slows to 80ish throughout day at rest. They said I looked ok and ct showed nothing bad. Said anxiety and was main concern to follow up with pcp when I I leftBut when I looked at the results they showed mild apical predominant emphysema. 6 months ago I was in best shape of life. 1 month ago fired from 911 job due to confusion and brain fatigue/disorganization. The month after breathing and brain fog/fatigue got worse til I went to er. Smoker since 12. 1/2 pack a day since 14. Super athletic and active. Still am but gosh it’s so much more difficult since two months ago.
I look at my ct, and cross reference with emphysema CT’s. Out of my depth I know. But from what I see on the ct it’s a few very small spots and a lot of healthy lung. Compared with other CT’s I see it’s so mild. But why the burst of symptoms so sporadic then?
I’m honestly terrified. This past two months my physical and mental decline have been outrageous. Libido disappeared completely. Shortness of breath and fatigue arrive intermittently through out day but some days are better than others, as are some hours. Back and shoulder hurt a lot. Have always been somewhat barrel chest but moreso now. Lot of joint pain and popping. Can’t tell if lungs or joints sometimes. Rib pain. Neck pain. Shoulder. Pulmonologist test later this month. I’m prepping for paramedic school next year. My jobs are always physical. I can’t afford to become out of shape and tired like I’ve been. Literally haven’t started life yet. I still workout daily somewhat intensely but the muscle does not come or stay like it did 2-6 months ago. I can stairmaster for 50 flights and speed walk for miles, and not get out of breath per se, but my base heart rate, which initially I was worried about, is elevated when I exercise and drops to resting far slower. Out of nowhere exercising I will just completely exhaust. Usually gets better after heavy lifting. I quit smoking tomorrow. I did a spirometer test for my job late July and passed w flying colors. Tho it felt hard. Have another one later this month with pulmo. Hoping it’s just incidental.l and I won’t get diagnosed official COPD. But these other symptoms I have, some dyspnea and circulation type issues, are scaring me to death. I’m hoping quitting smoking will restore me to health. Any advice or similar stories are much appreciated.
Did anybody’s condition improve to pre - diag when they quit smoking? Idk what to do if my conditions worsens. I don’t know how to make a living without my physicality.