What do you think caused your COPD?
Smoking, your career, the alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency... what do you think contributed to your diagnosis?
Alesandra Bevilacqua I will never forget the words from my Pulmonologist. " This did not have to happen." He had treated me for several lung infections that I got after exploring old mine workings that had bat populations. I never got histoplasmosis which amazed him. After retiring due to accident I let bronchitis develop into COPD before I went to him about an annoying cough. At that visit my SpO2 was 70%. He also said that he wouldn't waste time getting me to emergency as he had a room set up for people like me. We acquired oxygen and bronchodilators plus other drugs that night to take home. For two weeks the distrubudor brought new tank nof oxygen every other day. At start my lungs had somewhere between 40 and 60% left. It took two weeks of oxygen to get SpO2 back above 90%. Been down to 70% a couple of times but recovered. Too stubborn to give up the fight. All the while I never thought that the 70% level was critical until my neighbor with emphysema related COPD was taken to hospital with 70% SpO2. He never recovered and I have had other COPDers with 70% not make it. Theybwere all emphysema related which might make a big difference in how the disease destroys one's body.Approaching 80 revolutions of the Sun I have set an initial target of 2040 when my birthdate will equal my Angel number. One mustv have a positive attitude dealing with COPD and related issues. Sleibhin
We commend your fortitude and positive attitude in the face of COPD! Thank you for sharing with us and have a wonderful rest of the weekend. - John M. (COPD.net Team)
This is an interesting thread. Amazing forum.
, thanks so much for your kind feedback! We are glad to hear it. Hope it is a gentle day for you. If you get a chance, let us know how you are feeling by posting a status update! ~Melanie (Team member)
Another never-smoker here. My pulmonologist and another M.D. both think I had undiagnosed Covid in Dec. 2019 - Jan. 2020. I also lost my sense of smell at that time but that was an unknown symptom back then. In Jan. 2020. my O2 was dropping so low I was put on O2 at 4 lpm 24 hours a day. (Except for exacerbations, I am now on a lower dose at night only.) Through 2020 I was dx with Congestive Heart Failure and several other heart problems, Pulmonary Hypertension, asthma, allergies, POTS and COPD (all of which I did not have previously). Both doctors think I now have long Covid, which is long-term health issues due to Covid. I wonder if anyone else with long Covid has also been diagnosed with COPD.
Hi @cera, and thanks for your post. We appreciate you sharing your medical history, including COVID-19, it's sequelae and subsequent new diagnoses with the community. I'm seeing more and more patients with similar issues following their bouts with the virus.
As we progress through this pandemic, I would expect more medical issues (related to COVID-19), to present themselves in patients over time.
We value your candor, input and feedback here in the community, @cera.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I believe what caused mine is that I had bronchial issues growing up. I was diagnosed with asthma and bronchitis and got pneumonia numerous times when I was a kid. I loved to play baseball and softball and was never far away from my inhaler. I was diagnosed with COPD around 15 years ago. I finally had gone to the doctor when I noticed that it took me two hours to walk around a grocery store and do the shopping, I walked slowly and took breaks when I could. Now I can't even remember the last time I walked through a grocery store, or any other store for that matter. I have never smoked. most days I feel like just sitting and existing, as it is hard for me to do a lot of things. When I do manage to gather up the "energy" (laugh) I work in 15 minute spurts. What has really gotten to me most of my life is I did absolutely nothing to come up having COPD, but yet here I am. I thank you for asking though, that was nice. , I totally hear you, and I have read all your posts about ending up with COPD, although you are not a smoker. Very frustrating indeed, I would imagine. I think it is good that you have found a way to compensate and work in 15 minute spurts to maintain some activity. Many of our contributors have found good ways to conserve energy too, like using a rolling chair to get around when doing household tasks- I think things like that can be really helpful when you are working with limited energy. Thanks for taking the time to reply, we appreciate hearing from you! Warmly, Melanie (team member)
