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What questions would you ask your Dr about stage 4 COPD?

Posted by lesleys56 @lesleys56, Jan 12, 2025

I've asked my Dr questions about prognosis and he seems reluctant to answer questions. I get the feeling it's because he doesn't want me to worry but instead, stay positive. How can I stay positive if my questions aren't answered? That only makes me get into my head.

What questions would you ask your Dr?

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pamelaaci | @pamelaaci | 5 days ago
In reply to @tjphillipp "I’m considering Zephyr valves that they put in the lungs to stop the emphysema. Ever hear..." + (show)
Profile picture for tjphillipp @tjphillipp

I’m considering Zephyr valves that they put in the lungs to stop the emphysema. Ever hear of them? I’ve read about people that have and they claim they really work. Talk to your pulmonologist. Good luck

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@tjphillipp Valves do not stop emphysema. They simply collapse a portion of the lung to make breathing easier. Some people find them to be very helpful, others not. I’ve had them since 2020 and found them to be helpful.

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kllevinson | @kllevinson | 5 days ago
In reply to @kllevinson "I am in stage four also emphysema COPD. I saw my doctor today and my FEV..." + (show)
Profile picture for kllevinson @kllevinson

I am in stage four also emphysema COPD. I saw my doctor today and my FEV one is 24%. He said if I get more infections, I would probably go to Hospice but right now I am OK. I haven’t been sick since last Summer. I know prognosis is hard when you have copd. I guess I would just ask him about the best way to relieve the symptoms that you’re having for me. It’s extreme shortness of breath or SOB. I’m on Oxygen 4 L down from 5 L 24 seven
Hope you have a good appointment. Thank you for posting. Hugs. K.

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Thank you.

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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tjphillipp | @tjphillipp | 5 days ago
In reply to @pamelaaci "@tjphillipp Valves do not stop emphysema. They simply collapse a portion of the lung to make..." + (show)
Profile picture for pamelaaci @pamelaaci

@tjphillipp Valves do not stop emphysema. They simply collapse a portion of the lung to make breathing easier. Some people find them to be very helpful, others not. I’ve had them since 2020 and found them to be helpful.

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@pamelaaci
I see. Do they make a big difference? Would you get them again? Thanks.

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pamelaaci | @pamelaaci | 5 days ago
In reply to @tjphillipp "@pamelaaci I see. Do they make a big difference? Would you get them again? Thanks." + (show)
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@pamelaaci
I see. Do they make a big difference? Would you get them again? Thanks.

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@tjphillipp they did for me in spite of my being “homogeneous emphysema “. They originally would only treat those with heterogeneous emphysema. I would do it again there was improvement for me.

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tjphillipp | @tjphillipp | 5 days ago
In reply to @tjphillipp "I’m considering Zephyr valves that they put in the lungs to stop the emphysema. Ever hear..." + (show)
Profile picture for tjphillipp @tjphillipp

I’m considering Zephyr valves that they put in the lungs to stop the emphysema. Ever hear of them? I’ve read about people that have and they claim they really work. Talk to your pulmonologist. Good luck

Jump to this post

@tjphillipp
I’m considering them but they only can be put in if you have upper lung emphysema . I’ve read many people say they’re great. We’ll see.

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pamelaaci | @pamelaaci | 5 days ago
In reply to @tjphillipp "@tjphillipp I’m considering them but they only can be put in if you have upper lung..." + (show)
Profile picture for tjphillipp @tjphillipp

@tjphillipp
I’m considering them but they only can be put in if you have upper lung emphysema . I’ve read many people say they’re great. We’ll see.

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@tjphillipp mine was all over (homogeneous). Heterogeneous is emphysema is not spread throughout the lungs.

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tjphillipp | @tjphillipp | 5 days ago
In reply to @pamelaaci "@tjphillipp they did for me in spite of my being “homogeneous emphysema “. They originally would..." + (show)
Profile picture for pamelaaci @pamelaaci

@tjphillipp they did for me in spite of my being “homogeneous emphysema “. They originally would only treat those with heterogeneous emphysema. I would do it again there was improvement for me.

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@pamelaaci
My brochure says they are good for both of those . In my case I have no Collateral Ventilation so I’m a good candidate. My emphysema is in the middle of my lungs not the bottom. They did a 2-300 picture CT scan to determine I’m a good candidate. I’ll probably get this done. Thanks for your reply!

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pamelaaci | @pamelaaci | 5 days ago
In reply to @tjphillipp "@pamelaaci My brochure says they are good for both of those . In my case I..." + (show)
Profile picture for tjphillipp @tjphillipp

@pamelaaci
My brochure says they are good for both of those . In my case I have no Collateral Ventilation so I’m a good candidate. My emphysema is in the middle of my lungs not the bottom. They did a 2-300 picture CT scan to determine I’m a good candidate. I’ll probably get this done. Thanks for your reply!

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@tjphillipp Best wishes!!

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hicopd | @hicopd | 4 days ago

One thing that a Stanford pulmonologist suggested to me was to use 3 or 7% nebulized saline and an aerobike to help bring up and loosen mucus. It really works when I’m having mucus. I strongly recommend it.
To my surprise you can buy 3 and 7% saline for nebulizers on Amazon if your local pharmacy doesn’t supply. Ask your lung doc if this might be good for you.

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punkybauer | @punkybauer | 4 days ago
In reply to @joycecates "@punkybauer I did not know that trying to force out the phlegm makes it get deeper..." + (show)
Profile picture for joycecates @joycecates

@punkybauer I did not know that trying to force out the phlegm makes it get deeper and worse. Thank you for sharing that. I will try what you are doing. I always try to force the phlegm out. Did not realize it made it worse. Bless you.

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@joycecates good luck it may help you. I had sticky phlegm
Last night and it was hard not to force it but I managed to follow the instructions and it is working out!

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