Death Sentence

[Mom2RPJI]

I am so tired of reading that copd is a "death sentence".  I was just reading the Respiratory board and thats all I see on there, why is this?

Am I not scared enough?  I know there is no cure like someone who has MS, but can't we live a normal long life?  Im only 41 and my youngest is 9 months and with reading all of this Im now beginning to panic.

My own nurse just told me over the phone like this illness was no big deal.........I wasn't called in to the office and sat down and told "you have a terminal illness".  If this is "terminal" then why was I told over the phone and not given some type of counseling?

[allmymarbles]

If you conducted pulmonary tests on all the elderly, would you find that the majority showed some signs of COPD? In those cases would it simply be a sign of aging? We know that peak flow declines with age. Isn't this, in itself, an indication?

[Mom2RPJI]

Im having my dr give me the pneumonia shot and flu shot next week.  When I called in this time the dr told me to see a lung specialist to get a breathing test so that they have some information on my breathing.

When they told me I had this, I asked do I need a specialist and they said no, not til you have symptoms....ugh.

[Debser]

I was diagnosed 2.5 years ago, at 41, and was dismayed at the literature I read. I've been steadily improving my attitude and panic with working out and not reading anymore. There can be improvement with  improving your overall health. From what i understand it does not have to get worse. Lots of people have mild respiratory issues, yours is obviously mild or they would have scheduled a follow up or something. See a pulmonologist and get a breathing test done. Its better to see a specialist than to let you internist or gp handle it. If you do smoke than stop. Good Luck and don't panic