Hello Friends, Well.... it seems as if I have unwillingly just joined a club that none of us wanted to belong too and I am scared to death. As a 30 year plus smoker, time and the Marlboro's have caught up with me and 16 days ago I found myself in what I …

Hello, I've been reading the forums for a while now and have also read the some of the educational articles. I'm looking for clarification on a few items. A bit of background. Smoked many years. Quit 7.5 years ago. Was approximately 100 lbs overweight …

Since I have to be lying on my stomach for an upcoming MRI, should I have oxygen since my O2 number goes down when I lie down on my stomach. I do not require oxygen and I use a CPAP at night.

As noted above, you should have pulmonary function testing (spirometry, lung volumes, DLCO) and blood testing for Alpha-1 (genetic emphysema). I suspect you will be normal or near normal ( which has been true for most of the people who have found us with …

Desaturated to 86 bilateral pins and needles in both hands and the technician had to call a doctor in. Apparently a sharp decrease in DLCO. A respiratory consultant I saw before told me to wear gloves when my hands turn blue, and a nurse accused me of …

hello there Im a 51 year old woman in good general health. I was diagnosed with bronchial atresia about 20 years ago after recurrent chest infections ands pleurisy prompted a CT scan. At the time I was told that there was no problem with CBA ands that …

I’ve been using it for almost 6 weeks now and can’t say I’ve noticed any improvement. In fact I’m noticing phlegm in my throat which I never had before and I’m constantly clearing my throat now. Also, I think my o2 stats are actually lower. I called the …

Hi, firstly I'm not a clinician but the graph below indicates those who give up smoking on average loose FEV1 at half the rate of those who continue to smoke (perhaps somewhere near normal) although nothing is guaranteed... So you've already bought …

tI am wondering what other people's experiences have been with Portable Oxygen Concentrators. I need to get one for travelling to visit family & friends who are quite a distance away. All the options and information I see is pretty overwhelming. Any tips …

To me- that means there is some evidence of emphysema ( thinned areas of lung or holes in the lung) on imaging. Most people with this alone have fairly normal lung function- but at increased risk for developing COPD in the future ( particularly if they …

This is rather long, but it is designed for those folks who have recently been diagnosed with COPD. It has some valuable information for everyone... I HAVE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COPD…NOW WHAT?? I am not a physician. Not even close. What I am is a …

Does a lack of reversibility strongly point towards COPD diagnosis? It just means that it is probably not asthma but it does not mean COPD - If it is COPD, can I still work in a lab with chemicals (i.e. is the risk worth it, should I quit/switch …

My 71 year old sister-in-law is now oxygen dependent. She lost her job as a result. Her husband suffers with his own health issues and recently lost his job too. We are helping them get governmental assistance with food and Medicaid. They cannot survive …

I have had COPD for nearly 20 years and have fought that coiled medical tubing on the floor each and every day of those 20 years. My mother tripped over hers numerous times finally breaking both of her hips in two separate incidents. I have stumbled over …

so I have read my doctors notes from Monday this morning remembering I have to go have blood work done on Monday for the sales and ELECTRIC cardiogram on Tuesday so it said in his nerves that I had stage four bullies emphysema. So what does this mean for …

New development on this rollercoaster journey, I've seen the respiratory consultant and had a PFT, he has reviewed my CT alongside a Radiologist and they have concluded that the "background emphysematous changes" that were originally noted are not …

Cheather. I just want you to know that I myself have dealt with this problem. I'm not sure when it started or when it slowed down. I the last year or so, I have had very wierd dreams with people in my family who have passed away and in places that I may …

Hi everyone! I got pneumonia twice in 2023. I was sent for a CT scan and it showed mild emphysema. I then did a PFT which came back good. I went for a PFT again, July 2025, and the results/Pulmonologist said that I don't have COPD. I'm very confused. …

There was a study just released. It looked at oxygen flows from cylinders and concentrators at 1 lpm, 3 lpm and 5 lpm over various lengths. Before I spill the beans on the results, I would like to hear what others are using, think is safe, …

I agree with the pulmnary Rehabilitation suggestion. Have you had pulmonary function testing or CT imaging post operatively?

I have just discovered these carbon filter reusable masks. I've been using n 95s until now but I can smell diesel fumes and strong perfumes and aftershaves through it. Back in the city and am finding it difficult to breath. My asthma is at crazy levels …

Does any one take these together. My dr prescribed the roflumilast as an add on. I have to have some test done, blood work for eosinophils cell, in lung. Then an electric cardiogram to see if heart is doing work of lungs. I have bullous emphysema like …

I've been on Breo, now max dose of Trelegy for years. Have severe COPD (emphysema), and just wonder what would happen if I stopped.

So after speaking to my CBT therapist this morning she asked me what is a positive I can take from the last few weeks (yes I know i'm not as far down the road as many here and I hope never to be but still its scary) and I said the near future as in …

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I'm overwhelmed. My COPD is progressing. I don't have a support system of family or friends that understands. I can't work but can't get approved for disability yet. The stress of everything is getting to be almost too much. …