How do you know if you have C.O.P.D.? The reason I am asking is I stopped regular cigarettes last July and I don't cough or wheeze anymore but I find that I get short of breath easily. I went to a Doctor 2 months ago. Haven't been to a Doctor for a long time because as you all know when you smoke, whatever you have wrong gets blamed on smoking. I thought maybe I had a heart condition but blood pressure is great and ECG was good, took xrays and a cat scan and no lung cancer, so he says well you smoked for over 46 years so you have COPD and gives me a perscription for Spiriva, no change on the breathing that I can see and this is expensive stuff. I really love vaping and I see so many are saying their breathing is getting really good since making the switch. I don't think I have COPD any suggestions for my next Dr's visit
question about COPD
- Thread starter Windpray
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You smoked for over 46 years and there is most likely a lot of stuff in your lungs that your body is now trying to get rid of and in time it will most likely get rid of some, if not most of it.
But still, you smoked for 46 years. I was diagnose with COPD and used Advair. I don't anymore but I still have problems now and then because I smoked for 40 years. Also PG / VG will dry you out so drink plenty of water---just don't drown yourself because too much can have detrimental effects.
Or you are like me: pure PG will make my lungs hurt.
Whatever is going on, see your doctor if this doesn't get better.
But still, you smoked for 46 years. I was diagnose with COPD and used Advair. I don't anymore but I still have problems now and then because I smoked for 40 years. Also PG / VG will dry you out so drink plenty of water---just don't drown yourself because too much can have detrimental effects.
Or you are like me: pure PG will make my lungs hurt.
Whatever is going on, see your doctor if this doesn't get better.
Many people that move to e-cigs will confide that their breathing didn't get better. They feel better, but lung capacity never got better.
I have a hunch that the problem is a sedentary life style.
If your lungs have (say) a gallon capacity and you never exercise, then your lungs will diminish to a half gallon or quart capacity.
If you start exercising, you'll grow your lungs back to full 1 gallon capacity.
I'm no doctor, but like everything else in your body, no pain..no gain.
I have a hunch that the problem is a sedentary life style.
If your lungs have (say) a gallon capacity and you never exercise, then your lungs will diminish to a half gallon or quart capacity.
If you start exercising, you'll grow your lungs back to full 1 gallon capacity.
I'm no doctor, but like everything else in your body, no pain..no gain.
thank you very much for the replies, Jazdale, you are correct in the lifestyle part, and I am doing some stationary bike riding and a little walking, I should be doing more. And JJ2 I am now trying all PG, lungs don't hurt, I was thinking maybe I was allergic to the pg or the vg but I have tried all vg and no difference and I am trying all pg now. I also probably don't drink enough water. I really love vaping and do feel better overall since I stopped smoking it was just the breathing issue, which in my opinion was getting worse since I stopped and not better. That is why I went to the Doctor. At least I know heart is OK and I don't have lung cancer. Just need to get the breathing good now LOL
You should be very very proud of yourself that you've been able to do this. I think it's terrible the way we're almost ashamed to try to get medical help because we were smokers that weren't able to quit. When my Mom had a colonoscopy she had a doctor that made an extremely rude remark to her and I went off on him and filed a complaint . Even though they are doctors and wonderful
, we pay them. My mom has COPD, and her doctor (who is excellent and treats her like a human being) said that you can't reverse COPD but it won't progress if you quit smoking. He told her that she should see an improvement in lung function.
You should be very very proud of yourself that you've been able to do this. I think it's terrible the way we're almost ashamed to try to get medical help because we were smokers that weren't able to quit. When my Mom had a colonoscopy she had a doctor that made an extremely rude remark to her and I went off on him and filed a complaint . Even though they are doctors and wonderful
My mom has COPD, and her doctor (who is excellent and treats her like a human being) said that you can't reverse COPD but it won't progress if you quit smoking. He told her that she should see an improvement in lung function.
I agree with alot of what you said about doctors (healthcare workers in general sadly) as one of them I apologize for them all. Just to clarify though COPD can not be reversed that is true but it is progressive and will continue to worsen. Quiting smoking and pulmonary rehab will severely slow it down and improve your quality of life. The rehab is outpatient and teaches you breathing stamina techniques. I am glad your mom has a good Doc sometimes they are hard to find. Is she seeing a pulmonologist?
@ windpray..... This is my job. I could say with reason you probably have COPD based on your smoking history and descrition of symptoms however the gold standard for diagnosis is a test called a pulmonary function test. Where about in Louisiana are you? I have some friends near Pearland,TX so if you are close to the border I could probably get the name of a good Pulmonologist for you.
I am a respiratory therapist although my opinions are just that opinions I am happy to give any advice I can in an unofficial way. FYI at the end of all my comments I will always recommend a pulmonologist or md for the final word as good as I am they are the authority and can actually see you.
My VA doctor said I had COPD based on my breathing and x-rays but the last time I went in I had a different doctor and I had improved 100% since I started vaping and my lungs sounded normal. We looked at my old x-rays and he said they looked like I have emphyzema but could only tell for sure is by taking the pulmonary function test. I told him I wanted to know for sure so they have scheduled the test for next week. As much as I have improved I don't think I do have it but we will see.
I have also been diagnosed with COPD and possibly early emphysema. Additionally, I have also read that COPD (or emphysema) can never be reversed. In fact, it IS true that COPD is progressive even if you quit smoking - like a cancer, if you will. If you have been diagnosed with COPD and quit smoking, it will still get worse over time. This is extremely discouraging to me - as I'm sure it is with those of you who have COPD. Sadly, I have seen it with family members who have been quit 10 or more years suffering from deteriorating lung conditions as a result of COPD.
Thanks for this post Jazdale. Because it was so difficult for me to breathe, I began to lead a sedentary life style. I didn't even like to walk to and from my car which involved flights of stairs. Now that it is easier for me to breathe, I plan to start to increase my lung capacity. It's only been a couple of weeks since I've been analog free, but I've started to walk my dog and become more active. My goal is to be able to walk the golf course this summer.
Yes, she's seeing a pulmonologist at the Univ of PA hosp. He's one of the top doctors in his field in this area and was on the list of top doctors in the U.S. 2010.
He's also fine with her vaping.
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Thank you all very much for your responses, I live in south central Louisiana, not real close to the Texas border so this summer I will see about a Pulmonary Doctor. The doctor I went to did no tests regarding COPD, he just said Heart was good based on EKG and blood pressure and no lung cancer so he said well you smoked for 46 years and you have COPD here is a prescription for Spiriva and a sheet of paper with a schedule of exercises for you to do each week. He never listened to my breathing or anything else. Everything that I have read says alot of coughing and wheezing and unable to take deep breaths, well I can take deep breaths, so I am not saying I don't have it but I am not absolutely certain that I do
You might consider going to an asthma and allergy clinic. My daughter was having trouble with breathing, never smoked. Took her to a doctor and was told she had anxiety. Before putting her on anti-depression medicine, I had her checked for asthma and allergies. Come to find out, her breathing was due to allergies. Goes to show that you that you can't always believe what a doctor tells you.
Did he do a blood test? Usually folks with COPD have a high red cell count. Definetly see a pulmanary doctor. I was told the same thing by my doctor. The damage is done and all we can do is slow down the rate it gets worse. Real sorry to hear it is almost a year off analogs and still hard breathing. Maybe a change of medication could help. I quit the Advair, but still take Spiriva once a day.
Hig
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Higbe33, no blood work, just you smoked over 46 years you have COPD, hell he didn't even listen to my breathing...have to go back to him in August for another cat scan, said they didn't see anything and if it wouldn't be for attornies I wouldn't have to get another one but wants to do another cat scan 6 months latter just to be sure, so I will do that. After that will find another doctor. Not sure I like him.
I am glad you will find a pulmonologist. There may be better medications for you. @ hairball in smokers of 46 years COPD is most likely however anxiety is the most common untreated side symptom of this disease group which includes emphysema/asthma/chronic bronchitis. Hope this helps everyone
I went to the VA hospital for a Pulmonary Function test this week. The Technician that gave me the test said my lungs were in better shape than his and he was 20 years younger. He told me he had cut down to 5 or 6 cigarettes a day but couldn't quit completely so I broke out my Go-Go and gave him a vaping demonstration there in the exam room. He said he was going to look into them and buy one. I was prepared this time with ecf cards so I gave him one and ten more to hand out to other vets that can't quit smoking. I haven't found out the official results yet and may have to go back for some more x-rays to find out if I have empheyzema for sure or not but I do know my breathing is 100% better than it was 17 months ago when I quit cigarettes and started vaping.
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Cool Tx.... hey if you see you PFT tech again tell him my screen name and to look for me ....we are kinda in the same field.
Just to update I took the tests and do have moderate to severe enphysema according to the test. I was hoping they were wrong but I just waited to long to quit smoking. I am still 100% better since I've been vaping instead of smoking. My quality of life will be much better and I most likely will live longer than I would have.
Well friend I am sorry to hear about you diagnosis but I am thrilled you quit smoking. I hope you have a good pulmonologist if not FIND ONE. If you have any questions as things go on feel free to pm me and now I got my position at the VA I am one step closer to coming home to TX
Windpray,
I smoked a long time too and I have good days and bad days where I can't breath well. It correlates to the humidity levels for me. Some days I have zero breathing problems and others significant problems. Supposedly I have stage 2 emphysema but it seems more like asthma to me! My daughter has the same breathing problems on the same days as me and she's never smoked or been around smoke!
Some things that have worked for me were : Benedryl, Clariton and my all time favorite is Pseudoephedrine ( sold behind the counter as generic Sudafed). Any of those 3 things make my breathing normal and easy. The Benedryl and Clariton make me drowsy though so I prefer to take Pseudoephedrine every day. Try those one at a time. They are cheap and they are sold over the counter. I hope they help you.
Lori
I smoked a long time too and I have good days and bad days where I can't breath well. It correlates to the humidity levels for me. Some days I have zero breathing problems and others significant problems. Supposedly I have stage 2 emphysema but it seems more like asthma to me! My daughter has the same breathing problems on the same days as me and she's never smoked or been around smoke!
Some things that have worked for me were : Benedryl, Clariton and my all time favorite is Pseudoephedrine ( sold behind the counter as generic Sudafed). Any of those 3 things make my breathing normal and easy. The Benedryl and Clariton make me drowsy though so I prefer to take Pseudoephedrine every day. Try those one at a time. They are cheap and they are sold over the counter. I hope they help you.
Lori
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