From the article: Diagnosis of COPD
Symptoms that lead to a COPD diagnosis can vary from person to person, but one thing is certain -- most people who are diagnosed with COPD don't just walk into the emergency room or their doctor's office without a reason. Share which symptoms led to your COPD diagnosis. Share Your Symptoms
COPD progression
- I quite smoking in 1992 . I was diagnosed with COPD in 2003 and my breathing seems to have grow worse despite using spirva, seretide & ventolin. I don't understand why when every COPD site I check aways mentions quitting smoking as a way to slow down the disease. I would welcome any feedback.
- —Guest Della
Asthma to COPD
- I am 50 and have had asthma for 20 years now. I got an URI at Christmas time that triggered my asthma. Along with inhalers, nebulizer treatment and antibiotics, I was on 2 rounds of oral steroids, taking my last one mid Feb. I had a chest x-ray in January that indicated COPD. At that time I was having great difficulties breathing and hoped for a different reading on my next chest x-ray. Well, I am breathing better so I had the film of my chest taken and the radiologist said there is no significant change from the previous film. Impression: COPD. I am a non-smoker, hate cigarettes! I guess the asthma took its toll.
- —Guest Lynn
Bad Cold
- Had a bad cold that developed into walking pneumonia. Could never shake the cough after 3 months. Referred to pulmonologist who immediately suspected COPD from past history of smoking.
- —Guest Bob
Shortness Of Breath
- Always felt a bit short of breath when walking but thought it was old age and out of shape. Took my regular physical last August 2011 and my x-rays said emphysema. Was a 1& 1/2 Pkg a day smoker for 30+ yrs. Was so scared I quit that day. Went to a pulmonologist & took the tests and he said I have mild COPD and that I quit smoking just in time. It's been 6 months and still I get a little short of breath but I play tennis, walk 1 hour a day and lift weights 45 min every other day. I never ate right or exercised before this. Now I'm a health freak at 57. I want to live. I also tested positive to be an Alpha 1 carrier.
- —Guest Wendy
Symptoms of Respiratory Infection
- I was diagnosed in 2009 after I had respiratory infection and took antibiotics for weeks to get rid of it. Was tested and put on meds. Quit smoking and breathing getting worse.
- —Guest terry
GAZA59
- Age 86. Smoked 55 cigarettes a day for 55 years with only the smokers' cough. Working in yard one day 8 years ago, pushing a wheelbarrow up an incline when I had an attack of some sort: shortness of breath, dizziness, panic, loss of bowel and urinary control. Laid on ground and recovered in 15 minutes. 10 days later it happened again while I was triimming cedar trees. That time I went to the emergency room and spent a week in the hospital and was turned loose with 10 prescriptions including oxygen. My only real problem is exercise intolerance which the oxygen tank can only partially compensate for.
- —Guest Cecil Saul
Severe Cold That Got Worse
- Went to local doctor 3 times & last visit doctor sent me for X-ray. Had X-ray done that day. By that night, the fever was getting worse -- shivering, coughing with blood -- whole body ached -- begged my mother to rush me to hospital. They took me straight in, was diagnosed with emphysema at the age of 46. Was devastated! Heavy smoker for 33years. Left hospital following morning, determined to stop smoking. It's been 2 weeks since last smoke. I'm done with them now. I'm scared of what my future might bring, but i will do all I can in my will to try and fight this!
- —Guest toni
Long-Term Cough
- I have had a cough for ages now and am going for a spirometry/lung function test next week. I already have a feeling I know what the outcome will be.
- —Guest gaga123
Cough
- I had an everyday cough with mucus. Since I was a long time smoker, my doctor sent me for lung function tests. Sure enough, I had COPD. I stopped smoking the next day.
- —Guest Jim
My COPD Diagnosis
- After a horrible cough, I was diagnosed with COPD. It was brought on by years of smoking. After many years of smoking, I had my last cigarette February 14, 2009.
- —dymund
Shortness of Breath?
- Had shortness of breath 5 months into my last pregnancy, which was nearly two years ago. I put it down to being pregnant. Two years on I still have shortness of breath and finding myself very tired . My doctor said I have asthma, and put me on inhalers, which was not really working. Now he is sending me to get tested for COPD.
- —Guest trish
COPD
- I suffer with COPD for several years, taking it slowly. Meds helped me a lot.
- —Guest cher
Bronchiectasis
- I had pneumonia as a child so I have always had a bad chest. In 1993 I lost a lot of weight and my general health was not good.I was sent to the hospital where it was found that I have Bronchiectasis.
- —Guest Janny
Infections, Cough, Blood Pressure
- [I had a] worsening of chest problems -- blood shows, infections, continual cough -- even when walking on the flat in spite being an ex-smoker. [I] also had erratic blood pressure readings not controlled by tablets.
- —katieoxo
Slight Shortness of Breath Under Duress
- My only symptom was a very slight shortness of breath when I was stressed. My doctor said I had COPD and put me on Advair but I am not sure that is what I have. Only had one breathing test. I haven't smoked in 35 years and am not around smoke. How do I know for sure??
- —Guest Donna
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