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Please help me understand this please, I'm so scared

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Posted 4/6/2016 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
My husband was just diagnosed with COPD, he has been having trouble breathing and wheezing. Is this like a cancer, is he going to just get worst and die? OMG
Posted 4/6/2016 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
No, COPD is a condition, not a disease. COPD is caused by many things, but generally it just "is". My wife has it, and, in her case, its underlying cause is frankly quite esoteric.

If your husband had lung cancer, that's what the doctors would say. If they're not talking about any underlying disease, there's nothing for you to worry about.

Breathe and be calm.
Posted 4/6/2016 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
What is the stages I hear about then? And it's progressive right?
Posted 4/6/2016 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Possibly, it really is dependent on the underlying cause. COPD caused by smoking stops getting worse when you stop smoking. My wife's COPD is caused by something with the witty name of BOOP. In her case, her COPD will progress if her BOOP progresses. It's been latent for the last couple of years, so her lungs are not getting worse.

The stages you are referring to are not like the staging in cancer, where one's mortality is linked to a specific stage. In the case of COPD, think of stages as a rating, with various levels of breathing impairment. There is NO natural progression through stages. A stage is a rating of your current impairment, nothing more.
Posted 4/6/2016 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
But is continually just gets worst?
Posted 4/6/2016 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Generally not, no.

Is your husband a smoker?
Posted 4/6/2016 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
DS.,

I am so sorry to hear this news! I know how scary it is to receive a diagnosis about your husband. I was at the appointment when my husband learned he had type 1 diabetes.

Did your husband's doctor not explain the condition to both of you? Perhaps you can call and make a follow up consultation, so both of you can be educated about the questions/concerns you naturally have.

The good news is that so many conditions can be managed well with lifestyle changes and medications. My husband is doing fantastic...and to see him go, you'd never guess he lives with an autoimmune disease!

Please make that call, so you can get a management plan, and peace of mind.

S.C.
Posted 4/6/2016 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Deb,

I will echo F27 and say that COPD is a condition, and not a disease. It is caused by many things, including airborne irritants, smoking, etc. Chronic Bronchitis is one of the most common conditions that contribute to COPD.

COPD is treatable and with the proper treatment and management, quality & length of life are that of a person w/out it.

So sorry to hear of your hubby's diagnosis, but as long as he takes his medication and abides by a treatment plan he'll be just fine.
Posted 4/6/2016 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to hear about your husband's illness as well. COPD, while scary at first, is a manageable condition. I agree with S.C. (I don't think I've ever disagreed with her advice)...make a follow-up phone call, or better yet, a face to face appointment with his doctor to have him/her answer your questions.

Also, if your husband's doctor is a GP, you could always ask for a referral to a Pulmonologist for a second opinion on the severity of his condition and the treatment options available.

I hope all goes well with your husband and for your sake, please try not to focus too much on the negatives of the diagnosis; that will only make your anxiety worse (I know, easier said than done).

Hugs to you both!
Posted 4/7/2016 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Deborah, my wife has it, hers is from having pneumonia too many times, be sure he takes his pneumonia shots, i have known several people that lived well into their 80's with copd, you just
have to take care of yourself and if one smokes, stop Now! Peace

Larry ***
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