Hi all! I've never been much of a Web forum guy, but I really need some answers. Rather than beating around the bush here, let me just say that I desparately need to know how COPD and chronic bronchitis affect life expectancy. I've done some research, but I can't narrow it down.
You see, I have self-diagnosed, and I'm almost 100 percent certain that I have some stage of chronic bronchitis. I need to go to the doctor, but I'm very scared. I just turned 32. I have an 18-month old son. This can't happen to me. Not now.
My first thought is that I can just quit smoking and go to the gym and this will all go away. Do people live long with this? I've seen something that said "as long as 20 years." Well, that would mean the best I can hope for is to make it to 52.
Also, I have some questions about symptons and stuff. About a year ago, I began having a morning cough, but the most noticeable sympton was a horrible taste in my mouth. It made my food taste nasty, and I had a hard time with it. I went to the doctor and he gave me a bronchodiallator and a prescription for some antibiotics. I quit smoking and I seemed to improve quite a bit. The coughing was gone and I had no problems catching my breath. I've since started smoking off and on again. I can smoke for two days and the cough and the exhaustion come back. And now the bad taste is back in my mouth. If I quit for a few days, it seems to clear up a bit and I have more energy. But I've read that people who haven't smoked for years suddenly have problems.
So, my other questions...
1. Is this funny taste common
2. Should I expect to have problems over the longer term or is there a chance that I'll improve greatly?
Can't wait to hear back.
Thanks.
2
COPD Life Expectancy
Started by Guest_Boy_Reporter_*, Feb 24 2005 12:01 PM
41 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 24 February 2005 - 12:35 PM
Hello Boy_Reporter 
I'm a brand new member here and I just read your posting. My ex-husband was born with cronic broncitis and he is 62 years old now. The first thing you need to do is, yessssssssssss...quit smoking, and go to the doctor, they can do so much now days to help with this problem, and help you lead a normal life. I smoked for 41 years and just quit 4 months ago, and I can already tell a difference, I wish though I would have had the brains to quit when I was your age!! I look forward to each day and the one thing that I have learned from all of this is not to sit around and think the worst or think that I'm doomed, because if you do that, you will just get sicker and you will give up!! You have a lot going for you, we all do, we have friends, family, our doctors and our faith! But please, remember one very important thing, your state of mind is one of the most important factors in staying as healthy as you can, you have to keep positive and look for all of the great things you have, like that little boy of yours
I hope I've helped in some way to help you relax a little, I'm not very good at times with words, you take care and hope to hear from you soon
A Friend,,,Penny
I'm a brand new member here and I just read your posting. My ex-husband was born with cronic broncitis and he is 62 years old now. The first thing you need to do is, yessssssssssss...quit smoking, and go to the doctor, they can do so much now days to help with this problem, and help you lead a normal life. I smoked for 41 years and just quit 4 months ago, and I can already tell a difference, I wish though I would have had the brains to quit when I was your age!! I look forward to each day and the one thing that I have learned from all of this is not to sit around and think the worst or think that I'm doomed, because if you do that, you will just get sicker and you will give up!! You have a lot going for you, we all do, we have friends, family, our doctors and our faith! But please, remember one very important thing, your state of mind is one of the most important factors in staying as healthy as you can, you have to keep positive and look for all of the great things you have, like that little boy of yours
I hope I've helped in some way to help you relax a little, I'm not very good at times with words, you take care and hope to hear from you soon
A Friend,,,Penny
#3 Guest_Wheezer_*
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Posted 24 February 2005 - 02:23 PM
Dear Boy Reporter,
For the love of your child and your own life, put the cigarettes down and leave them alone. They are NOT your friends and they do not love you. (I smoked for 30 yrs, btw.) They will not love and care for your family when you are gone. Walk away from the smokes and look into the face of your child. He wants you around, man. Get yourself a check up with a good, reputable doctor and work with your medical partners. This is, after all, YOUR life. Take care of it, pal.
Penny is so right about the positive attitude. There are so many avenues to get positive input and there are days when keeping a sunny outlook is hard for me, for everyone, I'm sure. Build your support system and help each other. If I can help you in any way, just say the word. I check in here every couple of days. I will be so happy to help out however I can. Remember you are not alone!
Allbest blessings on you and your fam, and please let us know how you are progressing.
Kasey
For the love of your child and your own life, put the cigarettes down and leave them alone. They are NOT your friends and they do not love you. (I smoked for 30 yrs, btw.) They will not love and care for your family when you are gone. Walk away from the smokes and look into the face of your child. He wants you around, man. Get yourself a check up with a good, reputable doctor and work with your medical partners. This is, after all, YOUR life. Take care of it, pal.
Penny is so right about the positive attitude. There are so many avenues to get positive input and there are days when keeping a sunny outlook is hard for me, for everyone, I'm sure. Build your support system and help each other. If I can help you in any way, just say the word. I check in here every couple of days. I will be so happy to help out however I can. Remember you are not alone!
Allbest blessings on you and your fam, and please let us know how you are progressing.
Kasey
#4 Guest_MSI_*
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Posted 24 February 2005 - 03:44 PM
Well, I hope I can help a little bit too. I quit smoking at 34 years old. I had a bad cold and just quit. It was so easy...... I turned 39 in oct. and got sick, went to dr. and ended up in ICU for 13 days, I walked out with emphazima (severe) plus some other issues. My son had just turned 7. All in All, other then being on O2 24/7, I have been blessed with a wonderful supportive team of Drs and Family and Friends. My husband has never given up on me when I felt like giving up on myself.
Please find yourself a Dr. a Pulminologist(?spelling) and seek your answers from a professional that can help you. One thing for sure is not doing anything, it won't help you at all.
I believe a good attudide and a supportive network will help you go along way. Medicines are changing everyday to help us live a better life
Bless you and your family. Please keep us posted, best of luck, I know your scared. I am too.
MSI
Please find yourself a Dr. a Pulminologist(?spelling) and seek your answers from a professional that can help you. One thing for sure is not doing anything, it won't help you at all.
I believe a good attudide and a supportive network will help you go along way. Medicines are changing everyday to help us live a better life
Bless you and your family. Please keep us posted, best of luck, I know your scared. I am too.
MSI
#5
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Posted 26 February 2005 - 09:04 AM
Dear Boy Reporter and everyone else,
The people who responded to your post are absolutetly right. There are a lot of things you can do, and first and foremost, you need to get yourself soon to a good pulmonary doctor, a pulmonologist. You are a very young person and, although you can find a lot of good information nowadays, you should not be self-diagnosing.
I have to mention that you should definitely get tested for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. This is an inherited form of emphysema that affects people as young as in their 20's. If you are just 32 and having symptoms, you need to get tested and do not take no for an answer from a doctor. It has been found that people who have Alpha-1 can go through an average of 7 doctors before diagnosis! Awareness of Alpha-1 is badly lacking, to say the least.
I am so glad you found our site, and with it you found the help and support of a lot of caring people....MSI, Kasey, and Peggy, you are awesome! Thank you!
Please check out the "Basics" page on this website and read about Alpha-1.
And be in touch! You can get through this and you are taking the first step.
Jane Martin
The people who responded to your post are absolutetly right. There are a lot of things you can do, and first and foremost, you need to get yourself soon to a good pulmonary doctor, a pulmonologist. You are a very young person and, although you can find a lot of good information nowadays, you should not be self-diagnosing.
I have to mention that you should definitely get tested for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. This is an inherited form of emphysema that affects people as young as in their 20's. If you are just 32 and having symptoms, you need to get tested and do not take no for an answer from a doctor. It has been found that people who have Alpha-1 can go through an average of 7 doctors before diagnosis! Awareness of Alpha-1 is badly lacking, to say the least.
I am so glad you found our site, and with it you found the help and support of a lot of caring people....MSI, Kasey, and Peggy, you are awesome! Thank you!
Please check out the "Basics" page on this website and read about Alpha-1.
And be in touch! You can get through this and you are taking the first step.
Jane Martin
#6 Guest_MSI_*
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Posted 26 February 2005 - 01:05 PM
I was tested 3 times for the Alpha one all three came back no I was not. three test three different site two different doctors. I was 39 I am now 41 and feeling pretty good, going to Baylor College for up to date treatments, and knowing if I choose too, I can recieve a Double Lung Transplant down theroad if I need one.
Keep your head and get a great SUPPORT System going for you as well.
MSI
Keep your head and get a great SUPPORT System going for you as well.
MSI
#7
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Posted 06 June 2008 - 06:29 PM
Boy_Reporter, on Feb 24 2005, 12:01 PM, said:
Hi all! I've never been much of a Web forum guy, but I really need some answers. Rather than beating around the bush here, let me just say that I desparately need to know how COPD and chronic bronchitis affect life expectancy. I've done some research, but I can't narrow it down.
You see, I have self-diagnosed, and I'm almost 100 percent certain that I have some stage of chronic bronchitis. I need to go to the doctor, but I'm very scared. I just turned 32. I have an 18-month old son. This can't happen to me. Not now.
My first thought is that I can just quit smoking and go to the gym and this will all go away. Do people live long with this? I've seen something that said "as long as 20 years." Well, that would mean the best I can hope for is to make it to 52.
Also, I have some questions about symptons and stuff. About a year ago, I began having a morning cough, but the most noticeable sympton was a horrible taste in my mouth. It made my food taste nasty, and I had a hard time with it. I went to the doctor and he gave me a bronchodiallator and a prescription for some antibiotics. I quit smoking and I seemed to improve quite a bit. The coughing was gone and I had no problems catching my breath. I've since started smoking off and on again. I can smoke for two days and the cough and the exhaustion come back. And now the bad taste is back in my mouth. If I quit for a few days, it seems to clear up a bit and I have more energy. But I've read that people who haven't smoked for years suddenly have problems.
So, my other questions...
1. Is this funny taste common
2. Should I expect to have problems over the longer term or is there a chance that I'll improve greatly?
Can't wait to hear back.
Thanks.
You see, I have self-diagnosed, and I'm almost 100 percent certain that I have some stage of chronic bronchitis. I need to go to the doctor, but I'm very scared. I just turned 32. I have an 18-month old son. This can't happen to me. Not now.
My first thought is that I can just quit smoking and go to the gym and this will all go away. Do people live long with this? I've seen something that said "as long as 20 years." Well, that would mean the best I can hope for is to make it to 52.
Also, I have some questions about symptons and stuff. About a year ago, I began having a morning cough, but the most noticeable sympton was a horrible taste in my mouth. It made my food taste nasty, and I had a hard time with it. I went to the doctor and he gave me a bronchodiallator and a prescription for some antibiotics. I quit smoking and I seemed to improve quite a bit. The coughing was gone and I had no problems catching my breath. I've since started smoking off and on again. I can smoke for two days and the cough and the exhaustion come back. And now the bad taste is back in my mouth. If I quit for a few days, it seems to clear up a bit and I have more energy. But I've read that people who haven't smoked for years suddenly have problems.
So, my other questions...
1. Is this funny taste common
2. Should I expect to have problems over the longer term or is there a chance that I'll improve greatly?
Can't wait to hear back.
Thanks.
#8
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Posted 06 June 2008 - 06:50 PM
I was told I had emphasima, in March, 1989 when I was 48. I had 2 kids in college, and another one out of school. I was told that if I didn't quit smoking soon, I would be on oxygen by Christmas. Well I had smoked for 34 years and it was a rough go, but qiut that same week. I was told it was COPD about 3 years later. There is no cure for COPD. I have the right upper lobe of my lungs that harbors sudamonis (spelling) It used to flare up once a year or so then every six months then down to every 3 months.
I still get around some. I force myself to walk at least 5 days a week at the mall. I just finished pulmonary rehab of eight weeks. I think it was too little to late. I had to make my Doctor test me for oxygen, as he kept saying I was a long way from oxygen. When he finall tested me, he put me on oxygen that same day. By quiting smoking I put off the use of oxygen for 19 years. I retired in 1996, 7 years after quiting. Two years after I retired I started to get pnuemonia, have had it almost every year sence. I had 7 heart attacks in 1999, and another in 2002. If my lungs were in as good of shape as my heart I would be the happiest man in the world.
You can live quite some time, even with COPD, but you must put forth the effort. The main thing is to get to a good Doctor and find out for sure what is the problem, get a second openion if You don't think the first is right.
I am down right now, with a flare up of infection in my lungs, but I am still fighting. You may have to be asertive with your Doctor. I would recomend the pulmonary rehab, most hospitals have them and most insurance covers atleast part of it. It teaches you how to breath, exercise, and how to pace yourself. All of this is important.
Hang in there, because that little one neeeds a Daddy! I am turning 67 next week.
Bobby
I still get around some. I force myself to walk at least 5 days a week at the mall. I just finished pulmonary rehab of eight weeks. I think it was too little to late. I had to make my Doctor test me for oxygen, as he kept saying I was a long way from oxygen. When he finall tested me, he put me on oxygen that same day. By quiting smoking I put off the use of oxygen for 19 years. I retired in 1996, 7 years after quiting. Two years after I retired I started to get pnuemonia, have had it almost every year sence. I had 7 heart attacks in 1999, and another in 2002. If my lungs were in as good of shape as my heart I would be the happiest man in the world.
You can live quite some time, even with COPD, but you must put forth the effort. The main thing is to get to a good Doctor and find out for sure what is the problem, get a second openion if You don't think the first is right.
I am down right now, with a flare up of infection in my lungs, but I am still fighting. You may have to be asertive with your Doctor. I would recomend the pulmonary rehab, most hospitals have them and most insurance covers atleast part of it. It teaches you how to breath, exercise, and how to pace yourself. All of this is important.
Hang in there, because that little one neeeds a Daddy! I am turning 67 next week.
Bobby
#9
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Posted 07 June 2008 - 10:06 AM
Hi Bobby, Welcome to BBLW...
It's good to meet you and Thank You for sharing with us. You've been dealing with
this disease for quite a while now and I'm sure you will be able to help so many
newly Dx patients. I Know I learned just about everything I know about COPD
from these Support Groups and by "Talking" with experienced people just like
you. I'm sure you hold a wealth of knowledge that will help so many.
The Weekends are usually kind of slow but fell free to drop to the bottom of the
main page to our "Happy Hour At The Oxygen Bar". We run a weekly thread for
everyone to check in whenever they can and say Hello. It's a great place to
kick back and visit for awhile and get to know all of us. Fell free to Browse
The Forums and post anywhere you want.
Again, Welcome and I look forward to getting to know you better.
Easy Breathing
Tim
It's good to meet you and Thank You for sharing with us. You've been dealing with
this disease for quite a while now and I'm sure you will be able to help so many
newly Dx patients. I Know I learned just about everything I know about COPD
from these Support Groups and by "Talking" with experienced people just like
you. I'm sure you hold a wealth of knowledge that will help so many.
The Weekends are usually kind of slow but fell free to drop to the bottom of the
main page to our "Happy Hour At The Oxygen Bar". We run a weekly thread for
everyone to check in whenever they can and say Hello. It's a great place to
kick back and visit for awhile and get to know all of us. Fell free to Browse
The Forums and post anywhere you want.
Again, Welcome and I look forward to getting to know you better.
Easy Breathing
Tim
#10
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- Interests:We love to ride our motorcycles. We haven't been able to do that lately due to John being so sick. We used to go camping, hiking, riding in the mountains, take off to the mountains of VA for lunch. Our main interest is each other. Playing with our 4 dogs (don't say dogs too loud they don't know they are dogs!). We have four children 2 boys and 2 girls ages 26, 27, 28, & 29. One grandson, Aiden, who is 3 years old and loves to ride the motorcycle with his Maw Maw. Susan loves to read. We both enjoy a good action movie.
Posted 07 June 2008 - 05:43 PM
Hey there Bobby:
It's good to meet you. Welcome to BBLW. There's plenty of new stuff to learn regarding COPD and other lung diseases. There are also good folks here who have been fighting lung disease for several years and there are some who are new at it. Where ever folks are in their walk and battle with lung trouble there is always something new to learn and do here at BBLW. It's a great place to meet folks who share the same types of stories and who are here to listen and comfort. I have found much comfort here and am thankful to all the folks here. I'm sure that anyone who wants to open up and share what they are going through will find that same comfort and support.
It sounds as though you have been through hard times and that you have lots of information to share here. Please feel free to continue to help others here learn to get through their rough times too. You will find that each person at BBLW has much to give and are willing to do so. As we learn about our conditions we all learn that there different levels of illness and that all the people progress at different rates, with symptoms changing between people and the combinations of diseases. That is why it is so important to learn all we can about the disease we have and to find the best treatments available. It is amazing how much these lay people know about their illness and what they need to do to best treat themselves.
I hope you find BBlW to full of great fighters and scholars trying to find the best ways available to them and to those around them. This is really an amazing community willing to do what they can for their fellows. Take care and learn all you can. We are here to help you any way we can. John.
It's good to meet you. Welcome to BBLW. There's plenty of new stuff to learn regarding COPD and other lung diseases. There are also good folks here who have been fighting lung disease for several years and there are some who are new at it. Where ever folks are in their walk and battle with lung trouble there is always something new to learn and do here at BBLW. It's a great place to meet folks who share the same types of stories and who are here to listen and comfort. I have found much comfort here and am thankful to all the folks here. I'm sure that anyone who wants to open up and share what they are going through will find that same comfort and support.
It sounds as though you have been through hard times and that you have lots of information to share here. Please feel free to continue to help others here learn to get through their rough times too. You will find that each person at BBLW has much to give and are willing to do so. As we learn about our conditions we all learn that there different levels of illness and that all the people progress at different rates, with symptoms changing between people and the combinations of diseases. That is why it is so important to learn all we can about the disease we have and to find the best treatments available. It is amazing how much these lay people know about their illness and what they need to do to best treat themselves.
I hope you find BBlW to full of great fighters and scholars trying to find the best ways available to them and to those around them. This is really an amazing community willing to do what they can for their fellows. Take care and learn all you can. We are here to help you any way we can. John.
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware" Hebrews 13:2
#11
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Posted 07 June 2008 - 06:42 PM
to Boy Reporter.
I forgot to mention the subject of the bad taste in your mouth. It could be from the inhailers that the DR. gave you. Be sure and wash your mouth out after using them. Most of the medicine that you inhail requires that. I use abuteral, Tobramycin, Advair, Spiriva, all of these will leave a bad taste in your mouth. The Toby is the worst. I can't stress the exercise enough, but you don't have to have pain for it to do some good, walking, & upper body exercise is required to strengthen the muscles around the lungs.
Bobby
I forgot to mention the subject of the bad taste in your mouth. It could be from the inhailers that the DR. gave you. Be sure and wash your mouth out after using them. Most of the medicine that you inhail requires that. I use abuteral, Tobramycin, Advair, Spiriva, all of these will leave a bad taste in your mouth. The Toby is the worst. I can't stress the exercise enough, but you don't have to have pain for it to do some good, walking, & upper body exercise is required to strengthen the muscles around the lungs.
Bobby
#12
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Posted 07 June 2008 - 08:12 PM
Bobby, on Jun 7 2008, 07:42 PM, said:
to Boy Reporter.
I forgot to mention the subject of the bad taste in your mouth. It could be from the inhailers that the DR. gave you. Be sure and wash your mouth out after using them. Most of the medicine that you inhail requires that. I use abuteral, Tobramycin, Advair, Spiriva, all of these will leave a bad taste in your mouth. The Toby is the worst. I can't stress the exercise enough, but you don't have to have pain for it to do some good, walking, & upper body exercise is required to strengthen the muscles around the lungs.
Bobby
I forgot to mention the subject of the bad taste in your mouth. It could be from the inhailers that the DR. gave you. Be sure and wash your mouth out after using them. Most of the medicine that you inhail requires that. I use abuteral, Tobramycin, Advair, Spiriva, all of these will leave a bad taste in your mouth. The Toby is the worst. I can't stress the exercise enough, but you don't have to have pain for it to do some good, walking, & upper body exercise is required to strengthen the muscles around the lungs.
Bobby
Have a great evening,
Breathe Easy,
Sandy
I am 64 yrs. young, I live in Fort Myers, Fl. took a while to adapt to the change in the weather from living in NH for over 25yrs. I met a wonderful person of whom you all know Lori Palermo,it was thur Lori I started writing my blog titled, "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" http://sandyellen.blogspot.com I write about my daily experiences living with COPD/Emphysema. It is thru my eyes I would like to help others understand this disease, hopefully give some good advice.
#13
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- Interests:We love to ride our motorcycles. We haven't been able to do that lately due to John being so sick. We used to go camping, hiking, riding in the mountains, take off to the mountains of VA for lunch. Our main interest is each other. Playing with our 4 dogs (don't say dogs too loud they don't know they are dogs!). We have four children 2 boys and 2 girls ages 26, 27, 28, & 29. One grandson, Aiden, who is 3 years old and loves to ride the motorcycle with his Maw Maw. Susan loves to read. We both enjoy a good action movie.
Posted 08 June 2008 - 12:25 PM
Hello all:
I want to address Boy reporter; I've been thinking about what you said regarding the bad taste. Bobby is probabally correct on that. Those drugs can cause bad taste and surely do need to be rinsed from the mouth as soon as possible. They can also cause other troubles such as bleeding and sores and another result of some of them is Thrush. It is very painful and can cause worse troubles if it gets down into the lungs. I had lots of bleeding from several of the medicines I was prescibed so I quit. They caused bad tastes and that at least one was caused by infection caused by the inhaler. I'm sorry I don't remember which one it was for sure, as I had troubles from all the inhalers I was prescribed. Some of the troubles were described above. I know that infection can cause bad taste in the mouth and so can blood and Thrush. I would see my doctor as soon as possible and describe the taste and have the doctor look closely at your mouth. It does not take long before those infections and Thrush can wreck havok.
Thanks for bringing your questions to us here and for helping another. You guys caught on fast and are very valueable to our community. We openly welcome that type of interaction between members and strongly encourage you both and others to continue to bring whatever you have concerning you regarding lung related issues. I whole heartedly thank you both for talking out as you did. That's great! John.
I want to address Boy reporter; I've been thinking about what you said regarding the bad taste. Bobby is probabally correct on that. Those drugs can cause bad taste and surely do need to be rinsed from the mouth as soon as possible. They can also cause other troubles such as bleeding and sores and another result of some of them is Thrush. It is very painful and can cause worse troubles if it gets down into the lungs. I had lots of bleeding from several of the medicines I was prescibed so I quit. They caused bad tastes and that at least one was caused by infection caused by the inhaler. I'm sorry I don't remember which one it was for sure, as I had troubles from all the inhalers I was prescribed. Some of the troubles were described above. I know that infection can cause bad taste in the mouth and so can blood and Thrush. I would see my doctor as soon as possible and describe the taste and have the doctor look closely at your mouth. It does not take long before those infections and Thrush can wreck havok.
Thanks for bringing your questions to us here and for helping another. You guys caught on fast and are very valueable to our community. We openly welcome that type of interaction between members and strongly encourage you both and others to continue to bring whatever you have concerning you regarding lung related issues. I whole heartedly thank you both for talking out as you did. That's great! John.
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware" Hebrews 13:2
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 01:28 PM
Thank you for the information about inhalers and mouth irritations. I occasionally have had irritation in my mouth, but did not connect it with my inhalers. I do not usually rinse my mouth after using them. Now I think I'd better!
#15
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 01:37 PM
[quote name='Boy_Reporter' date='Feb 24 2005, 12:01 PM' post='136']
Hi all! I've never been much of a Web forum guy, but I really need some answers. Rather than beating around the bush here, let me just say that I desparately need to know how COPD and chronic bronchitis affect life expectancy. I've done some research, but I can't narrow it down. [unquote]
I, too, think about this. I was diagnosed with moderate COPD two years ago, and have never gotten a difinitive answer as to what lies ahead. Sometimes this makes me worry more than knowing would. I know it is different for everyone, and I may have a better/worse response than others to my medications. However, I seem to be doing fairly well, and I don't yet need oxygen, and I am getting by on Spiriva, Albuterol, and Foradil - [no steroids!] I quit smoking at the time I got sick and have not smoked since. I get some exercise - mostly walking. I think I don't feel as well as I did before my lungs collapsed, or as well as I did, say, a year ago. But I am doing well, according to my pulmonologist.
I am thinking that I need to just do as well as I can, and let the chips fall where they may. But it is hard not to wonder about the future and what I might be facing. That is why I joined this group. I don't think I will find any answers anywhere else.
Hi all! I've never been much of a Web forum guy, but I really need some answers. Rather than beating around the bush here, let me just say that I desparately need to know how COPD and chronic bronchitis affect life expectancy. I've done some research, but I can't narrow it down. [unquote]
I, too, think about this. I was diagnosed with moderate COPD two years ago, and have never gotten a difinitive answer as to what lies ahead. Sometimes this makes me worry more than knowing would. I know it is different for everyone, and I may have a better/worse response than others to my medications. However, I seem to be doing fairly well, and I don't yet need oxygen, and I am getting by on Spiriva, Albuterol, and Foradil - [no steroids!] I quit smoking at the time I got sick and have not smoked since. I get some exercise - mostly walking. I think I don't feel as well as I did before my lungs collapsed, or as well as I did, say, a year ago. But I am doing well, according to my pulmonologist.
I am thinking that I need to just do as well as I can, and let the chips fall where they may. But it is hard not to wonder about the future and what I might be facing. That is why I joined this group. I don't think I will find any answers anywhere else.
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