COPD

[pascok727]

Hello, I was told I have COPD back in Dec of 2008. I should have known the signs seeing how I took care of my mother the last year of her life with the same thing, I just never thought I could get at 40 years old. I lost my job about a year ago and with it went my insurance. I guess my main question is, Does anybody know how to go about finding low cost medical treatment? Im currently on Albuteral and that seems to help, but I dont even know how bad this is cause I have not seen a doctor since the er back in Dec. Any ideas??

[Davy9]

Obtaining state or federal aid for health services is dependent upon, disability status and/or net worth. You're too young and not disabled so Medicare is not an option. If you are flat broke, own next to nothing and have no income then state Medicaid is a possibility. Frankly, if you are dirt poor in this country you can get pretty good, free healthcare, just ask the illegal aliens.

As to your recent diagnosis what are your symptoms, did you smoke, do you still smoke??? There may be some things you can do with your own lifestyle to improve your situation. 40 is a young age for some types of COPD and not others. COPD is a catch all term that encompasses any chronic pulmonary disease that obstructs airflow on exhalation. Emphysema is the one commonly thought of, but it also includes asthma and such things as the pulmonary complications seen with cystic fibrosis.

So what can you say is behind your recent diagnosis and how were you diagnosed? What were your symptoms and how have they improved? What makes you worse or better, whether a medicine or anything you might be exposed to? Let's see if there is anything you can do on your own to make life healthier.

[pascok727]

Yes, I did smoke. I quit back in 05. When I went to the ER, they did say it is Emphysema/COPD. I have tried the whole diet thing like geting away from the salts and thing like that, but it just seems to be getting worse. Example, loading the dryer can take my breath away and my heart rate will jump to 160 or so. That alone is a little scary. I try to just go for walks, but that dont go far either, and Im trying to do the breathing exercises as well.

[Davy9]

Well, if you started smoking at a very young age and smoked heavily you could have a fair degree of emphysema at 40. The other thing that needs to be considered is whether a rare disease is contributing to your problem. It is called alpha 1 anti trypsin deficiency.

I still do not know how well you have been worked up for your COPD. What you need is a complete pulmonary function study to ascertain the severity of your breathing impairment. You also need some blood work and a cardiac work up to determine how well your body is compensating for your lung disease. If your lung disease is severe enough you may well qualify for federal disability benefits and Medicare.

Emphysema is progressive. It does not get better. The care approach is supportive and to minimize its impact on the rest of the body (the heart in particular). You can then work to maximize your physical abilities within the constraints your lungs allow. There are a host of medications which might be useful in your care. You are relatively young and that may provide you with a surgical option. They can do lung transplants for people who meet a certain set of criteria, age and not smoking are an important part of that criteria.

You need a thorough medical work up and without funding or insurance you might enter the system via a county based ER. All non profit hospitals must receive and care for all who enter their emergency rooms. The indigent commonly use that benefit for routine care. Once there you will want to converse with a medical social worker to define how you might qualify for state or federal aid. Focus your medical concerns on your age and the severity of your shortness of breath especially with minor exertion. That should get the ball rolling. You have a long row to hoe so prepare yourself.

[pascok727]

Okay, thanks for your help so far. I do go this week for a PFT test, so I hope it can tell me where I stand. I will post the results so maby you might be able to help me make sense of it. Again, thank you.