Hi Jay,
I just came across your post and would like to provide the following. I was recently “diagnosed” with COPD after dealing with Post-COVID shortness of breath/chest wheezing. I came down with COVID-19 on New Year’s Day in 2022. Following my recovery and just after returning to work January 11, I was removing heavy water-laden snow from our roof on February 12. Not 2 minutes in, I experienced shortness of breath/gasping and audible wheezing. I remember thinking to myself how in the world could I be so short of breath just from shoveling. Although the snow was heavier than normal, it did not otherwise exceed my normal physical capacity that I had prior to coming down with COVID. Before COVID, I was a very good physical shape and regularly performed a good cardio workout at planet fitness 3-4 times per week for 5 straight years. I’m 6’2” tall and maintained a body weight of 205-207 during this time. Not one for racing to the doctors office, I obtained information with respect to my breathing/wheezing difficulties via many reputable medical institution websites which has labeled my symptoms as a Post-Covid conditions. My personal physician retired sometime ago and at the encouragement of my wife, I was recently seen and evaluated by a FNP as our city lacks the availability of MD’s that are accepting new patients. After a full blood work up and second office visit, I was advised to obtain a chest x-ray evaluation that was read by a radiologist as COPD. Although I am also a past smoker who quit back in 2007, I believed that my diagnosis for COPD was simply determined by a radiologist based upon what my x-rays may have looked like and my smoking history. I feel that it completely dismissed the factors relating to what I conveyed and believe were and remain as Post-COVID lung. I completed a pulmonary spirometry exam last week… I “failed” it. When I arrived, I provided the nurse with a 3 page summary personally detailing my experiences with COVID and shortness of breath issues that have remained with me and my reasons for my disagreement with COPD as a diagnosis. The nurse who performed my spirometry exam asked me, “How much research have you done on COPD and how much do you know about COPD ?” My reply was “Not much to be honest but how much research have you conducted on Post-COVID lung issues and what do you know about Post-Covid shortness of breath/chest wheezing ?” She said, “Not much…” Therein lies the problem… The CDC website recently confirmed that there is no specific medical test for those who suffer from Post-COVID shortness of breath and that it can take weeks, months and even years to recover from. So with no other medical test, the default diagnosis— at least in my case is- COPD. I’ve just been accepted as a patient with a very well known and respected physician in my area who is currently treating patients with the very symptoms from which I currently suffer. I will be seeing him next month and he has been provided with the results from my pulmonary exam. I will (reluctantly) accept and will deal with COPD if it can be more medically substantiated that it is indeed what I do have. However, there is presently a very real medical disconnect going on here. You can read all the medical dissemination involving the research that is currently underway regarding Post-Covid shortness of breath and the vast similarities as it relates to COPD. But, as of now, it is just medical research from which no real conclusive medical information is yet known. In the meantime, I have returned to the gym and am easing myself back into cardio exercise regimen and honestly feel great. This is a real problem that, in one way or another, will eventually be resolved.