I've had emphysema for four years. I am taking Spiriva and Advair. I started with oxygen at night, now all day long. Nothing seems to help. The minute I start to walk around the breathing gets bad. Even the oxygen doesn’t seem to help. Published: September 02 ::

I had a quadruple bypass 3 years ago. To make a long story short my cardiologist told me that I had the early signs of emphysema and that my heart was also slightly enlarged. I continued to smoke, but found myself increasingly fatigued. Simple things like walking down the street were very difficult. I have finally stopped smoking with help from the patch. I have not had a smoke for 14 days now and immediately felt the benefits of not smoking. It's not easy but I am determined to succeed. I want to feel good, and alive and energetic besides, I have a 10 month old grandson and I want to watch him grow up. Published: September 02 ::

I am 63 years of age and was diagnosed with emphysema just over 2 years ago. I went on the patches the day after I found out and managed to quit the habit, despite finding out that my husband had been cheating on me for 5 years. It was really difficult to keep off the cigarettes because I was so stressed at finding out about my husband's affair. However, after smoking 45 - 50 a day, I'm still off them and although my condition has not improved I'm very proud of my efforts. If I can do it, anyone can. Published: August 18 ::

I was told in I I was told in I had COPD Emphysema; I was a heavy smoker, Fire fighter, mechanic and a rough life style. I smoked 4 packs a day. When I was in the hospital, I would leave my room in a wheelchair and go outside to smoke. Doctors get mad when you do that! After a near death episode, my pulmonary doctor told me about Chantix. After a couple of months I quit smoking and have no desire to. So check into it! My hardest adjustment is not being able to do minor things without I want to enjoy life with my children, wife and grand kids! Published: August 18 ::

Two and a half years ago I suffered a pulmonary embolism in both lungs that was so severe that doctors could not believe I was alive. Pulmonary hypertension developed as a result, I just had test that said I have emphysema. My symptoms of labored breathing walking a flight of steps, and other exertion took me to the doctor. At that time, my oxygen level was 89 that sent me to hospital. Scan and stress test and echo showed no damage to my heart, just emphysema. I don't know which diagnosis would be worse. Anyway, I will enjoy my life, going back to school, college, and go next week for a breathing test. Hope this dialogue will help some others. Published: August 17 ::

I was diagnosed with emphysema two years ago. I took another year and a half to quit smoking. Last week I had to be flown out to another hosp for resp failure. After a week of kicking myself for not quitting sooner my new doctor informed me that I had a rare form of genetic emphysema and would have gotten it anyway. He thought that the information would make things better and maybe it should, but now all I think about is that my kids now have this to look out for as well. I had a heart attack at 39 and found out about genetic heart disease then. Wish I could just say to the kids that I messed up and to learn from my mistakes. What is to learn? They all are dealing with this in their own ways but I have to agree with my oldest Published: August 06 ::

I was just diagnosed with emphysema at 57 and have been smoking for almost 40 years. I was in a state of shock. I am female, and trying to quit isn't easy. I have allergies to the adhesive in the patch, so it's been difficult with this reminder itching away. My insurance won't pay for smoking cessation and I called the quit line, only to wait for three weeks to get any information. I am still waiting for their patches to arrive. I have a co-worker who is on Chantix and is slowly quitting, so there is support. I am on two inhalers. Published: July 20 ::

I am 47 years old and have just been told I have emphysema. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it yet. I guess I am shocked, but not surprised. I have smoked heavily 30 to 40 a day for the best part of 30 years. I always knew the risks, but that it will never happen to me. Guess what it did. I have so many questions to ask. I went to my doctor today and said I have emphysema he said yes I heard. If he had read my notes 2 weeks ago when I went to him with a really bad cold and was having a lot of trouble breathing he would have known then, and so would have I. He didn’t examine me and only gave me 25mg of Amoxapine. I found out from an eye clinic after being referred to by my optician. I will have to rely on them for help and to answer my questions. I have cut down my cigarettes to 12 a day. I am breathless all the time but not to bad. My back hurts, and some times I get sharp pains under my ribs and in my right lung, but the worst thing is feeling as if I’m going to have a heart attack everyday. I often would joke oh I’m having a heart attack. Little did I know how close it could be. I guess I will have to wait to go back to the eye clinic to get my answers and see what they recommend. Published: June 03 ::