never tested for COPD
I was never tested for COPD, I was just told offhandedly that I had it because I had gotten bronchitis again. Here I am with bronchitis again, I believe it is due to the CPAP. I do smoke and have been since I was about 13, I am now 63. I am in the process of quitting smoking and it is so hard to do. I am on advair, albuterol and Montelukast tabs.
I was once told that if I have COPD and I try to quit smoking my breathing won't get any better. Which is one reason why I said why should I quit? After reading some of the stories here, I am hopeful that it will get a little bit better. Thank you all for the uplift.
Hi
! I hope you start feeling better soon. Have you ever seen a pulmonologist for a COPD diagnosis? If you do have COPD, there are medications and treatments that can help beyond what you are doing now. There most certainly are benefits to giving up smoking and I hope you succeed. Here is an article that explains the benefits and offers some tips for quitting: https://copd.net/living/rewards-quitting-smoking-nutshell. Please know that you are not alone and that you will not be judged here. Smoking is a powerful addiction. Quitting is hard. We know that. We are here for you whenever you need us. Best of all wishes. - Lori (Team Member) 
Hi. I'm sorry that you're going through so much bronchitis without the real answers you need. Chronic bronchitis is one part of the COPD experience, but the only way to confirm that is with a pulmonary function test. I echo Lori's advice to seek further information and, if you do have COPD, a medication plan to help you manage your symptoms. You might also want to consider pulmonary rehab, which is like physical therapy sessions with a focus on your lung health. That would be beneficial with the recovery from bronchitis, anyway.
One more thought -- are you cleaning your CPAP machine regularly? They can collect a lot of bacteria, for sure. Here is an article from our sister site for Sleep Disorders that can give you some tips if you need them:
https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/clean-cpap
Please keep us posted. We have lots of resources and are happy to help you as you navigate all this. -Melissa, team member
