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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Support Group.

olgamarie | @olgamarie | Jan 24, 2021

Emphysema

Is anybody aware of any new advances for emphysema?

Erika | @erikas | Jan 24, 2021

In reply to @olgamarie "Emphysema Is anybody aware of any new advances for emphysema?" + (show)

@olgamarie Welcome back to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

You are looking to connect with members like @merpreb @emily10 @mrbill @juliette39 @janrn1 @spudmato
@erasmus and discuss new advances for emphysema.

You will notice I moved your question to a previous discussion. I did this so members could more easily connect with you in a central location. If you have not already done so, you may want to scroll through the past posts and look for interesting information.

Below I have also linked a discussion that you may find of interest.
- COPD and Emphysema: Want to connect with others https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/copd-emphysema/

May I ask if you interest in emphysema is due to you having this diagnosis?

olgamarie | @olgamarie | Jan 24, 2021

I have stabelized SCLC and copd, which basically is pretty bad emphysema.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 25, 2021

In reply to @olgamarie "Emphysema Is anybody aware of any new advances for emphysema?" + (show)

@olgamarie- It's nice to hear from you again. I know that your brother is having a pretty rough tough. Does this have anything to do with your fear of Emphysema?

I have read your posts and can't find anything concerning any inhalers or medicines that you are presently taking. Last year my pulmonologist switched me to a new inhaler called Trelegy Ellipta and it's made a big difference for me. Emphysema can be hard to understand. Mayo Clinic has a great explanation.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/symptoms-causes/syc-20355555

I didn't see if you had smoked. I did but quite 23+ years ago when I had my first lung cancer, an NSCLC. There are two major reasons for Emphysema.

https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/what-is-emphysema#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20major%20known%20causes%20of%20emphysema%3A,more%20likely%20to%20develop%20emphysema%20than%20are%20nonsmokers.

Have you spoken to your doctor about your concerns or questions? You have the right to open and honest discussions.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 25, 2021

In reply to @emily10 "Yes me too, and thank you! This video was very informative and helpful." + (show)

Good morning @emily10. There are two reasons, basically that cause emphysema.

https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/what-is-emphysema.

Have you been given any tests for Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT)?

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 25, 2021

In reply to @olgamarie "Emphysema Is anybody aware of any new advances for emphysema?" + (show)

@olgamarie; @emily10- If found this site, also. Have either of you discussed with your doctors about valve replacements?

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-02-copd-patients-in-home-device.html

olgamarie | @olgamarie | Jan 25, 2021

I have not discussed with my dr.any procedures. I have heard about the valve option, but have not pursued anything.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 26, 2021

In reply to @olgamarie "I have stabelized SCLC and copd, which basically is pretty bad emphysema." + (show)

@olgamarie- Good morning. I have NSCLC. I also have COPD with emphysema. Have you recently experienced any changes in your breathing or daily routine?

I certainly can't tell you what to do, but if I were you, I would ask your oncologist all of your questions so that he can explain how your cancer and COPD are related and how they affect you. Are you interested in doing this?

olgamarie | @olgamarie | Jan 26, 2021

In reply to @merpreb "@olgamarie- Good morning. I have NSCLC. I also have COPD with emphysema. Have you recently experienced..." + (show)

Yes, I am. I have been trying to do this by myself. But, I am scared. I should be having an appt in March at Mayo. My Dr. transfered to another site. I am missing her. I know I have to ask questions, but afraid of the answers.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 26, 2021

In reply to @olgamarie "Yes, I am. I have been trying to do this by myself. But, I am scared...." + (show)

@olgamarie- Of course you are. But better this fear than waiting too long and having worse consequences. I hate it when I need a new doctor. Within the past couple of years, I had to search for another PCP. I preferred a woman. But I wound up with a guy who hasn't been practicing as long as I have had cancer. He's a cutie and he's younger than my son.

If I were you I would begin making a list of all of your questions. That might even help you to put somethings in perspective. I have had lung cancer for 23+ years. I did smoke but haven't since the end of 1997. So I'm sure that I had it before my first lung surgery. It gets confusing because any damage to your lungs, like cancer, can also exacerbate emphysema.

Do you have any idea how severe, or not your emphysema is?