|
|
Post by sandy07 on Sept 24, 2010 10:26:03 GMT -5
Welcome to the group. Great people ready to help and share. Jump in whenever you feel comfortable.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Sept 24, 2010 12:42:36 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by susanny on Sept 24, 2010 21:50:19 GMT -5
 Welcome, Ginnyz! Hope you find everything you are looking for. I happen to consider this to be the best COPD forum available, but I will admit to being partial to the people here.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ginny Ziagos on Sept 25, 2010 22:27:47 GMT -5
:)Thanks for the warm welcome! This is the first time I've gotten involved with a forum like this, so please excuse me if I don't know exactly what to do! I'm 68, diagnosed with COPD emphysema 10 years ago, but none of my doctors did anything special other than prescribe inhalers, which were fine at the time. I remember only one dr who did a lung function test, and he wanted to immediately sign me up for lung reduction surgery! Seemed a little premature to me at the time.
I am still functioning (with the help of an oxygen concentrator at work), working only 4 days a week because I just have no stamina for my full 5 days.
Now, after having been pushed into oxygen use by the passage of time, exposure to toxic chemicals and chemotherapy, and having experienced dyspnea a couple of times, I am trying to become proactive - because the doctors aren't! I learned about the IBV valve trials - unfortunately after they closed. This seems like the best hope for us so far. But, first, who knows how long it will take the FDA to approve them (as you may guess, I live in the US, southern NY). Second, I read that, in the usage of the valves for leaky lung, it was advised that they not be left in place more than six weeks! What good is that going to do us?
Does anyone have any news on this? I am trying to follow up with drs at Mt.Sinai Medical Center in New York, one of the hospitals where the trial is being conducted, but so far no response.
|
|
