Good evening. I am a 38 year old who was recently diagnosed with mild obstructive lung disease. I smoked about 1.5 - 2 packs a day from the age of 13 to 29. I also was a mechanic for 20 years (shops full of dust/irritants/chemicals), as well as a former recreational drug user. I turned my life around in 2016 and stopped all the nonsense, started exercising and changed my diet.
I noticed I was having difficulty with SOB a few years ago, but just chalked it up to still being in the shop. I retired last year and have been in school since, but my SOB was getting worse. I can exercise for long periods, but I have to pursed lip breathe, and that began several years ago. I do cardio 5-6 days a week for 20-50 minutes.
I went to my PCP a couple of weeks ago and he sent me for a pulmonary function test this past Monday. I have never heard my lungs wheeze like that ever. I was so winded after the test, and the albuterol during the test didn't do anything, but I know it was inhaled because I got jittery and kind of shaky.
These are my results.
FVC: 97% predicted
FEV1: 84% predicted
POST FEV1: 85% predicted -
DLCO: 129% predicted
FEF25-75%: 62% predicted
TLC: 107% predicted
RV: 116% predicted -
FEV1/FVC: 87% predicted
• Result Note: Mild obstruction with normal lung volumes and normal DLCO
My PCP prescribed me an albuterol inhaler, but we had some words about why, when it didn't even work in the test, to which he decided to give me a referral back to the pulmonologist who did the test. I got the albuterol inhaler filled anyways, just to see if maybe it could help during exercise, since I do get chest tightness during exercise (which I chalked up to anxiety until my diagnosis). The albuterol does seem to help with exercise induced SOB, but I keep having to do the inhaler over and over when the effects wear off to get relief from my chest tightness, which I also have throughout the day, which I also chalked up to anxiety, but the albuterol makes it go away, but only to some degree, and temporarily. I still have the difficulty breathing in mid ranges and still find myself having to breathe deep, but the chest tightness goes away mostly.
I'm scared, honestly. I watched my father and step-father take their last breaths, and they both had COPD. I watched them both decline in health, especially my father, who could not breathe on his own without supplemental oxygen.
I know some answers will come from my pulmonologist appointment Tuesday, but I'm really worried about my future. At 38, what can I expect for my future, and how can I best prepare myself and my kids/wife for what is ahead?
Thanks for taking the time to read this.