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Post by smoochkin on Aug 27, 2009 10:08:57 GMT -5
Hi everyone Im new to the board..........I found out recently that I have copd. I found out thru a nurse, my ct scan of my neck showed my upper lungs. it states in the findings that there are some "small apical bulla" on both apices. Now it only says copd in handwritting. I have read that you can have these bulla's without emphasyma and you could also have been born with these. I have no breathing problems and I just carried a baby to full term last year and had natural childbirth with NO breathing problems. I'm going to see a Lung Dr next month because I have been told just seeing the tops of your lungs and their findings does not mean you have copd. I have quit smoking after finding out. I just want to know what to expect at the Lung Dr's......what tests and so on do they perform to see what is actually going on. They found this on accident, I didn't go in for any problems related to my lungs. Ive read many posts on here and you all seem so very supportive and thats what I need. POSITVE attitudes and only POSITIVE information  |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Aug 27, 2009 11:20:58 GMT -5
Dear Smoochkin; ( I love it! I wonder if that has anything to do with having a baby?   ) Welcome to the Forum. And yes; the folks here ARE supportive, helpful, caring and most have lived with COPD for awhile. What they don't know; they'll help you find the answers or point you in the right direction. I'm not gonna comment at this point on what a nurse told you re: For now; we'll address your question about breathing tests..... For a link to understand/see/read about Spirometry go to www.copdcanada.ca/understanding_your_numbers.htmFor a full PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) go to www.copdcanada.ca/pft_numbers.htmAND; CONGRATULATIONS on kicking the smokes! IF; in fact you do have COPD, and from what you've mentioned in your post..... you're catching it early! WTG!!!! |
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Post by smoochkin on Aug 27, 2009 11:29:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the information Blossom.
Yeah I called for the results of my CTscan and the nurse told me everything was fine, then said oh and you have emphasyma stop smoking!
I was like wow! I would have thought that they would call you in the office for this information. I said "shouldn't I see a specialist" she said "no, not until you have symptoms"
That was all the information I got.
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Post by bobbioh on Aug 27, 2009 11:40:13 GMT -5
Welcome and good luck at the specialist. I would see one asap im assuming your young if you just had a child. Jump in anywhere. I look forward to reading you. Bobbi
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Post by smoochkin on Aug 27, 2009 11:44:41 GMT -5
Welcome and good luck at the specialist. I would see one asap im assuming your young if you just had a child. Jump in anywhere. I look forward to reading you. Bobbi im not that young, I turned 40 and became pregnant! Im 41. She came 10yrs after what I thought would be my last child! Im going to see a specialist. I think I will know more once seeing one.......and then I will know for sure if I have this or not. If I do I will take care of myself, and just live with it, I have to much to keep worrying about this disease. I will not allow it to beat me down! (even though I do have those days.) Thanks for the warm welcome. |
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Post by John on Aug 27, 2009 21:48:22 GMT -5
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Post by susanny on Aug 28, 2009 0:27:04 GMT -5
Welcome, smoochkins. Gotta love that name! What a fluke to catch this on an unrelated scan. I'm glad everything they were doing it for turned out to be ok, by the way.
If you do have COPD, it's good that it's caught early. There are things you can do to halt/slow down it's progression. Without having any symptoms it sounds like you would have the mildest of stage. Good luck with the specialist and be sure to come back and let us know what happens. We won't forget you. Not with a name like that!
Give the little one a smooch for me...Sue
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Post by aero63 on Aug 28, 2009 9:02:46 GMT -5
Welcome smoochkin and I do hope you get all the information you need at the specialist. There is alot of information about how to keep yourself healthier and the doc may even have more suggestions.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2009 19:54:50 GMT -5
Hi smoochkin welcome, there is a wealth of information on this site, the people here are wonderful too. Lots of support and kindness, no one is a stranger here!   |
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Post by smoochkin on Aug 29, 2009 5:59:02 GMT -5
Thanks to everyone for such a warm welcom |
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Post by mary57 on Sept 2, 2009 19:45:27 GMT -5
Hi Smoochkin, What a cool name. You are right to have such a positive attitude. Have the visit with the specialist and a PFT, then you will know where you stand. Let us know how you make out, as you can see this is a great group of people.
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Post by smoochkin on Sept 13, 2009 11:05:20 GMT -5
thanks everyone. Haven't seen the lung specialist yet, having many relatives coming in this month.
I do have a quick question thoug: A few people from other copd boards are wondering how a Dr can dx copd without a spirometery test and with a ct scan just saying "some small apical bulla" They said its normally typed up in the findings, not hand written in by your doc.
Anyone have any opinion or answer for that one?
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Sept 13, 2009 12:00:27 GMT -5
Smoochkin; I'm not sure I understand the question. If it's whether a CT scan can diagnose E; yes. However; it's the EXPENSIVE way to go and I doubt many Ins. companies would go for it w/o a breathing test first. But; as I recall you had one done.
I don't understand the other portion of your Q.....
The findings of any test such as a CT is reviewed, interpreted then reported back to the Dr by a Radiologist. You can ask for a copy of this test if you want from your Dr's office.
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Post by smoochkin on Sept 13, 2009 17:50:41 GMT -5
Smoochkin; I'm not sure I understand the question. If it's whether a CT scan can diagnose E; yes. However; it's the EXPENSIVE way to go and I doubt many Ins. companies would go for it w/o a breathing test first. But; as I recall you had one done. I don't understand the other portion of your Q..... The findings of any test such as a CT is reviewed, interpreted then reported back to the Dr by a Radiologist. You can ask for a copy of this test if you want from your Dr's office. I do have the copy of the ct scan results. It says under findings some small apical bulla. Ive had mri's for while being dx'd for Fibro and I have those reports too. There was never anything handwritten on those reports. Copd is hand written in, on the side bottom. Thats my confusion Someone had asked what my ct results stated and when I told them what I just posted they were perplexed. Said it would have stated copd under the findings. Sorry if Im confusing |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Sept 13, 2009 18:32:49 GMT -5
Smoochkin...... the only thing I can/would suggest is to discuss this (make an appointment) with your Dr. to review it. You; none of us can in all fairness and honesty; second guess. Go to the head of the horse.
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Post by chrisw on Sept 13, 2009 20:19:40 GMT -5
Certainly a CT scan can indicate the severity and extent of COPD, however the only absolute diagnosis of COPD comes from spirometry.
The Canadian Thoracic Society Guidelines state that "All patients with suspected COPD should have their lung function assessed by spirometry. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) is the most important measurement for the identification of an obstructive impairment. A post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.7 defines airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible, and is necessary to establish a diagnosis of COPD." American thoracic Society Guidelines are similar.
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