[Guest]

I am 34 yrs old male. I been smoking about 8-9 yrs. Last Oct. my work gives free flu shots every year, I take advantage of . year, after my flu shot, I developed a cough. cough went on about a week. I seen my doctor about . he prescribed medicine to get rid of cough me. He also said it possible I had mild emphysema, based on fact about 2 yrs ago I had TB. After being diagnosed, I asked my doctor if he could help me quit smoking he prescribed Zyban to me. Well, I am happy to say, I have been cigtte free 6 months now, about same month my docotor told me I had mild emphysema I have no shortness of breath, I am a hypocondriac too. makes it worse me. I do not have a chronic cough or even a mild cough. My skin is not bluish, my lips purpleish in color. always have been. I run about a mile walk about 2 miles every day since I quit smoking, I lift weights. I dont feel any shortness of breath or than average shortness experienced by anyone excercising. only thing concerning me, is my doctor wants me to see a pulmonologist moons of my nails appear to be a little bluish. I have never really paid too much attention to anyways, not until browsing net. Also, right after I stopped smoking, my fingers would wrinkle become dry. I am looking any advice would settle hypocondriacs mind. Oh, one more thing, I had a X-ray about 1 yr ago y were fine, just some scarring from TB. I had one 6 months ago my NEW doctor did a CT scan, s he wants me to see a pulomonologist. He told me re nothing to be concerned about. In his opinion, he thought I would be better to see a specialist because of my TB.

[Guest]

It would be extremely unusual to develop COPD after 8 years of smoking, usually it takes longer. There is a genetic defect called alpha one antitrypsin deficiency which will give early emphysema. The blue nail beds usually are only associated with very severe debilitating COPD. Other causes could include "shunts" where venous blood bypasses the lungs and goes to the circulation directly and some people nail beds do look a little bluish. Pulmonary function tests could go a long way into seeing what your lung function is like. A pulmonologist would be able to evaluate if the purple nail beds are a normal variant or something more to look into. He will also evaluate your CT scan to see if anything is active or old scarring.