1. < COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Just Diagnosed Emphysema

Posted by jeanette52 @jeanette52, Oct 19, 2018

Hello...I am a 66 year old female just diagnosed with "predominant upper lobe emphysema" yesterday via CT chest scan (done on 10/17/2018). I was having a year follow-up scan for a perifissural lung nodule (which hasn't changed in 2 years so no more follow-ups). On the last scan there was no mention of emphysema. Right now (and when I had the scan on 10/17/2018) I have an allergic flare-up. Nasal passages completely closed, throat hurts and congestion in right upper lung. This started about 2 months ago when I sneezed all night and then my nose started pouring. Then it totally closed up.Lung congestion apeared about a day later. I only had a cough for the first couple of days then it went away. The nasal and lung congestion are still present. Phlegm in upper throat as well. Since there is no cough I have to hack up the phlegm from my lung. I have made my self pretty sore doing this.The sinus issues are almost overwhelming. I went to my primary care physician on 9/28/2018 and my temp was fine at 97/9, O2 saturation at 99%. Blood pressure 121/70. She listened to my lungs and said she didn't hear anything. I just had blood work done right before that visit that showed my eosinophil % at 6.1. She said that was a little high and to take regular Zyrtec because I had allergies to something. I cannot take decongestants because I have paroxymal AFib. It has done me no good. I cannot get air through my nostrils. The AFib makes it hard to take anything to clear this up. The only thing that seems to help a little is store brand Mucinex. Could these issues have caused it to look like I have emphysema? I am so scared. I am a super anxious person diagnosed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder so you can imagine what seeing this on the test results has done to me!! I will admit that I still smoke...a few a day. I feel so guilty and horrible that I may have hurt myself like this. But my daughter died a year ago (10/21/201) and trying to quit would have been so hard. I am still in horrendous grief and sadness at her loss.

According to the scan it looks as if I have no other lung issues. Could this illness (allergy) have caused some kind of misreading? Maybe asthma?
I would like to not here that I have never had a smoker's cough. Smoked a lot of years, though.

Thanks so much for reading my story and whatever insight you can give.

Jeanette52

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jeanette52 | @jeanette52 | Oct 21, 2018

Thank you...very informative. I do walk...3-4 times a week 1.25-1.50 miles at 3.0 speed.Walks usually last about 25 minutes each. I have an app on my phone that measures it. I am going to call my PCP tomorrow and get a referral to an ENT. It is something that needs to get done. Will talk with PCP about the Mupirocin. God bless!!

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1 reply
jeanette52 | @jeanette52 | Oct 21, 2018
In reply to @kathydyd "Hi, My name is Kathy - I am 66 and was diagnosed with emphysema about 4..." + (show)
@kathydyd

Hi, My name is Kathy - I am 66 and was diagnosed with emphysema about 4 ago. My last test said it had progressed to severe, however, I am not on oxygen at all, so I was skeptical. I recently got referred to a lung specialist and had another test. The doctor would not stage me as he says he treats me, not stages! I am on brero for 3 months and will take another test to determine if asthma is a component of my disease and to the extent. AT this appt. I will insist on knowing what my stage is, as I feel I have a right to know where I am, and my life expectancy. I am an ex smoker (4 years ago) and since quitting, have gained 60 lbs. I do get very breathless when walking etc. I am finally working on my weight and am hoping it causes some of my breathlessness. I know it is very scary Jeanette.

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I am also 66. Going to find a way to let the smokes go. Have to. I walk 3-4 times a week ... 1.25-1.50 miles at 3.0 speed. Will find out more from PCP about the CT scan this week. I need to get an appointment with an ENT and get this nasal condition cleared up first. Thanks so much for your input. God bless and good luck with your weight loss!!

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jeanette52 | @jeanette52 | Oct 22, 2018
In reply to @jo54 "PS. Sorry for your loss. I understand as my husband passed last year. Life is not..." + (show)
@jo54

PS. Sorry for your loss. I understand as my husband passed last year. Life is not easy. I have faith in God and this helps me. You are not alone. He is with you.

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Yes I know. Thank you. God bless!!

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Oct 22, 2018
In reply to @jeanette52 "Thank you...very informative. I do walk...3-4 times a week 1.25-1.50 miles at 3.0 speed.Walks usually last..." + (show)
@jeanette52

Thank you...very informative. I do walk...3-4 times a week 1.25-1.50 miles at 3.0 speed.Walks usually last about 25 minutes each. I have an app on my phone that measures it. I am going to call my PCP tomorrow and get a referral to an ENT. It is something that needs to get done. Will talk with PCP about the Mupirocin. God bless!!

Jump to this post

Good for you, Jeanette! You're taking steps in the right direction! I hope you feel better soon.

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jeanette52 | @jeanette52 | Oct 28, 2018

This is a follow up question to my last post "Just Diagnosed Emphysema". I had a CT scan of chest on 9/11/2017 and there was no mention of emphysema. The follow up scan (checking a nodule) was done 10/17/2018 and the emphysema was discovered. In the "Impressions" section it was listed <a class="hash-tag" href="/search?search=%233">#3</a> under "nodule unchanged" and "no acute chest process identified". The word Emphysema was all that was there. No recommendations were given, no staging, nothing. Just emphysema. This is worrisome because I don't know where I stand with this. Does anyone know why nothing else was stated? The findings section didn't say any either. I have a call into my PCP and will probably hear from her tomorrow. My anxiety is through the roof. Thanks for any input.

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1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Oct 28, 2018
In reply to @jeanette52 "This is a follow up question to my last post "Just Diagnosed Emphysema". I had a..." + (show)
@jeanette52

This is a follow up question to my last post "Just Diagnosed Emphysema". I had a CT scan of chest on 9/11/2017 and there was no mention of emphysema. The follow up scan (checking a nodule) was done 10/17/2018 and the emphysema was discovered. In the "Impressions" section it was listed <a class="hash-tag" href="/search?search=%233">#3</a> under "nodule unchanged" and "no acute chest process identified". The word Emphysema was all that was there. No recommendations were given, no staging, nothing. Just emphysema. This is worrisome because I don't know where I stand with this. Does anyone know why nothing else was stated? The findings section didn't say any either. I have a call into my PCP and will probably hear from her tomorrow. My anxiety is through the roof. Thanks for any input.

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Hi @jeanette52, I moved your post to your discussion "Just Diagnosed Emphysema" so the members you have Connected with already would see your update and your question.

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Oct 28, 2018

@jeanette52 Hi Jeanette. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. I have a daughter, and I cannot imagine the grief if I were to lose her. I am sending you a cyber-hug right now. I am sure that getting the emphysema diagnosis was a tough thing to hear. My mother had emphysema pretty bad. When the time is right, I hope you will stop smoking altogether. Emphysema is a progressive disease and smoking will accelerate the process. I have SVT and am on heart meds for it. I take Coriceden once in awhile for congestion; it is supposed to be heart friendly. I also use 'Breathe Easy' tea by Traditional Medicines. It helps with congestion and opens airways. It also relieves that tight feeling in the chest. I buy it at Kroger's grocery in the natural food isle. I hope you can get your lungs under control. Try to avoid infections and treat them if you get infection. I am not sure if emphazyma can be misdiagnosed. Did your dr go over the scans with you and explain why he thinks it is emphazyma?

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1 reply
jeanette52 | @jeanette52 | Oct 28, 2018
In reply to @windwalker "@jeanette52 Hi Jeanette. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. I..." + (show)
@windwalker

@jeanette52 Hi Jeanette. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. I have a daughter, and I cannot imagine the grief if I were to lose her. I am sending you a cyber-hug right now. I am sure that getting the emphysema diagnosis was a tough thing to hear. My mother had emphysema pretty bad. When the time is right, I hope you will stop smoking altogether. Emphysema is a progressive disease and smoking will accelerate the process. I have SVT and am on heart meds for it. I take Coriceden once in awhile for congestion; it is supposed to be heart friendly. I also use 'Breathe Easy' tea by Traditional Medicines. It helps with congestion and opens airways. It also relieves that tight feeling in the chest. I buy it at Kroger's grocery in the natural food isle. I hope you can get your lungs under control. Try to avoid infections and treat them if you get infection. I am not sure if emphazyma can be misdiagnosed. Did your dr go over the scans with you and explain why he thinks it is emphazyma?

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Thanks for responding. Have a call into PCP. Again, thanks.

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1 reply
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Oct 29, 2018
In reply to @jeanette52 "Thanks for responding. Have a call into PCP. Again, thanks." + (show)
@jeanette52

Thanks for responding. Have a call into PCP. Again, thanks.

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@jeanette52 Hi Jeanette. I would be curious to hear what your doctors tell you. Would you please keep me posted on that? I see that your dr wanted you on Zyrtec, what about trying Singulair (prescription only)? That helped me a great deal.

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1 reply
seaspray | @seaspray | Nov 5, 2018

In my opinion, it depends on the radiologist reading the scan. I have stage IV lung cancer and have had scans taken every 3 months for the last 4 1/2 years. I have read emphysema a few times on mine and then not for another year. I developed allergies when I moved to Northern Florida in a wooded area. I use Simply Saline by Arm & Hammer to open up my sinus's. As for staging, it sounds like there is nothing to stage! There are nodules are over our bodies and many times they are nothing. Hope this relieves a bit of your anxiety. Keep walking and moving!

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