I have Lung Disease but which one?

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I was diagnosed with asthma back when my oldest was a baby, making around 20 or so years ago. In 2005 I was placed on oxygen and given the diagnosis of COPD, having severe asthma and chronic bronchitis. The emphasema didn't show up real good on an xray until about 2 years ago. I went to see my first pulmonologist this past July 2011 and he said I didn't have COPD and said I just had severe asthma and took me off of oxygen cold turkey. I moved to another state a couple of months later and finally saw my new pulmologist in late December. She had me take a lung function test, something I hadn't taken since 2005 and it wasn't to this extent. I saw my family doctor a week and a half ago and she saw my test results and started talking to me about them. Half way through talking to me she asked me if I had talked to my pulmonologist about the results yet. I told her no and she stopped dead in her tracks. She wouldn't go any farther other than to say that I definitely have lung disease but it isn't asthma and that I would need to have more tests to find out what is going on. My follow up appointment with my lung doctor isn't until mid-March. I've had daily almost constant chest pain for a few years now. My breathing treatments do nothing for it. I've been to the hospital for it and they say it's my asthma/copd. Now that I have this tidbit of information I'm freaking out over what it might be. I'd love for it to be something as simple as pleursey but I doubt that will be the case since they said it is lung disease.

The doctor held out my appointment so that I could get my test results back and so that I could get a months' worth of my CPAP readings for her. When the company came out that works with my cpap to fit me with my new mask the lady said she didn't need to get a new reading. She said she'd use what was already on the machine. The readings from the machine were the ones from when I was on oxygen. I tried to talk to her about it but she knew better than me in her opinion I guess. So anyway, The doctor should have the cpap readings and I know from the way my family doctor was talking, she has my lung function test results. Do you think it would be inappropriate of me to reschedule my appointment for a closer date? I'm concerned over what she's going to say and the longer I wait the more I research and the more I find that could be wrong with me. I really don't want to read into what could be wrong. I just want answers. Please help me figure out what to do.

 
By kitcat1 on Sat, 02-04-12, 11:15

Well you could atleast try to see if you could get in sooner than mid-march. It doesn't hurt to try. Well try not to panic until you see and hear all the results. I know that is easier said then done but try to put it out of your mind until you get all the results. I hope this helps. Stay strong. My grandmother lived a ripe old age of 83 and had COPD. So don't worry yet.

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By mom1969 on Sat, 02-04-12, 11:22

I guess what freaks me out the most is that the doctor that gave me the COPD diagnosis said that I wouldn't live past my 50's and since I have bad knees that I needed to tell my surgeon that I needed them replaced soon so that I could live a better life because I wouldn't live long enough to enjoy it otherwise. Nice doc huh.

thanks kitcat for the positive note. I sure appreciate it. I can definitely take your grandmother's story and run with it. :o)

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By Suzee on Sat, 02-04-12, 11:43

OH Mom, I would certainly try to get that appt time moved up!! I'm sorry you are having to go through this!!!! I am so sorry you are having to struggle with your health too!! IT SUCKS!!!!

Love you, Suzee

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By kitcat1 on Sun, 02-05-12, 09:33

Your very welcome. Even though we have things in our life that we have to deal with, we can still be happy in some areas of our lives.) you take care and anytime I will support ya.)

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