Have you had bronchoscopic lung volume reduction?

@sandymkleinfehn, I'm tagging a few members like@ktf @thomason @11moondog11 @kndaustin71 who may have had endoscopic lung volume reduction, sometimes also referred to as Zephr valve (one manufacturer).

Here are some related discussions:
- Anyone had Zephyr Valve Procedure at Mayo Clinic? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/zephyr-valve-procedure-at-mayo-jacksonville-andor-scottsdale/
- COPD, Zephyr valve and lung cancer
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/copd-zephyr-valve-and-lung-cancer/
- Has anyone tried Yupelri or Zephyr implant? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-tried-yupelri-nebulizer-or-zephyr-valve/

How did your testing go this week? Is lung volume reduction therapy an option for you?

I had 4 Zephyr valves placed in my left lower lobe last November (11/2/2024). I elected to have the valves placed after long hours of research and discussion of valves versus other options. My pulmonary procedure was done at Duke University Interventional Pulmonary Department. I had a 4 day hospital stay with no complications and flew home. I feel that they have made a significant difference in my respiratory status. Unfortunately, if you have inflammation with secretions the valves do not help....that is a secondary issue my Pulmonologist and I have been addressing.

I was not a candidate for the bilateral lung volume procedure based on the location of my disease but if I had been I would have proceeded. The valves were my option for lung volume reduction. As it was explained to me, your "bad" alveoli (air sacs) take in oxygen when you inhale.....if removed that O2 would be available and used by your functioning air sacs. That is exactly what happen with the valves, left more O2 for the functioning ones. I could definitely tell a difference in my daily activities and when I worked out at the gym.

Hello maybe you can start on the Dupiexnt to help you with your type 2 inflammation. This medicine helps to lower your eosinophils levels which causes the inflammation. Look on your patient portal and check your CBC blood test and look to see if your eosinophils levels were high. Talk to your doctor about this.

Can I ask you some more questions? If you do not care to answer, that is fine.
I will do my blood gas next week and from what the nurse coukd tell me, part of being a candidate for the procedure would depend on that. Pulminogists are so busy so we don't get to see them often.

My activity allowance level is really down there. I am wore out, i use o2 onky at night, use spiriva and symbocortI as wrll as deleresp. Nebs are not helpful. I am wore out and tired, I feel from the breathing issues. I am 63 yrs old so yes, age has a play in that. I would like like a few more years of working, we will see? I live in Melrose, central MN but feel the Mayo would be a trusting place for me. No matter where I go if I can do this, I will travel several hours. Thar is ok. Is there anything you can tell me about your journey, how long you have had COPD, things that did or did not work for you? Any info is appreciated. COPD really takes a person down. I do daycare on a totally separate level of my home so it is sma and on opening area. Hey thanks for reading this. My name is Sandy, by the way.

I certainly would not mind sharing my COPD journey....I was diagnosed in 2015 after a bout of pneumonia which landed me in the hospital. I was not told informed of what Stage just put on an inhaler. Was not much bothered with the shortness of breath or any real concerns until 2001. Started with increase shortness of breath (SOB), then came the congestion and coughing. I was seeing a Pulm Dr who immediately wanted to put me on 02.....decided that was not for me. Switched Dr. who was Chief of the Pulm division in a University setting. I began researching treatment options in 2022 when he told me that their was not much more that could be done re the congestion, cough & secretions (while I was almost drowning). That's when I found out about the Zephyr and Spiration Pulmonary valves...same thing, different brand. Their are criteria for insertion. I had to have the following - CT Chest, PFT with blood gases, 6-minute walk test, Right Heart cath. I sought out the Institution that had the best history and experience with lung reduction whether by partial lung removal or valve insertion. Got a referral to see an Intervention Pulmonologist for evaluation. and Ta! Da! had three Zephyr valves placed a year ago. Could not be more pleased with the valve results. However, valves do not help with congestion and secretions which of course is a major issue and cause of SOB. I sincerely hope this gives you an idea of my experiences and thus far journey of COPD.

Hello Sandy well when I was a child I had asthma. When I become a teenager I started smoking. We also lived next to a sand factory and all of the kids in the neighborhood would go there to play in it. I'm sure we inhaled a lot of it I am 70 years old now. In my 50's I was on drugs that I had to inhale Those drugs caused me to smoke more cigarettes. I have been clean for several years now. But before I quit using my breathing was getting really bad . The inhalers would work sometimes and sometimes it didn't help much. I decided to go to my Doctor. He schedule me for a breathing test. I must have failed it because that's when I was told I had COPD. I have been on several different inhalers. I was still working and very active up until last year I was really getting short of breath more so I started researching for other options and for new treatments that where out there. I had considered the zephyr valves then I was a little sceptical after reading the reviews. I then learned about the Dupiexnt and I told my doctor that I wanted to try it. He had to research it himself before subscribing it to me. This was the best decision I ever made. It's like I'm almost back to normal before all of the damage to my lungs. I am breathing much deeper and better and can't do more activities. I am still working 12 hour shifts. I read that most people that have COPD have high levels of eosinophils. This is caused Type 2 inflammation. I decided to look back in my patient portal to see how many years back I had this type 2 inflammation. Come to find out it was showing up on my 2015 blood test lab work. But the Dupiexnt is lowering my eosinophils level and this is helping me to breathe better and less or no flare-ups.

How painful is the arterial blood gas stick ?

To me it hurts! I'm sorry 😞

It was about the same as other blood draws. Piece of cake!