I had the flu in December and have not stopped coughing. I had a sinus and tear duct surgery on 3/8 with general anesthesia. I came out of anesthesia and needed two neb treatments to get my oxygen higher. The following day I went to urgent care and they did a chest x-ray and the resident basically looked at me and said "you have emphysema". This was not what I was expecting and immediately burst out crying. I have had chest x-rays couple times in the past 5 years and no one has ever said anything. He did an A1A blood test I have a PFT on the 16th and a follow up with a pulmonary doctor in April. He started me on Spiriva.
I was asthmatic as a child and grew up in a household of Chainsmokers.
I wake up in the middle of the night coughing so hard. I am just hoping the coughing can lessen.
I am 55 and was a casual smoker from the age of 17 to 28. I have not smoked in almost 30 years. I have two teenage daughters and I have not stopped crying since this appt.
I feel bad posting this on here I know I am probably lucky compared to other people.