my mother was diagnosed about 5 yrs ago. she was a heavy smoker but has now stopped. she is on oxygen all of the time and uses a bipap machine at night. has had 2 heart attacks and regularly gets lung infections so bad and fast she ends up in the hospital for at least a week at a time. she can't walk around much and is tired alot. she takes steroids and anti-depressants. what is the normal life expectancy once diagnosed?
2006-10-08 04:48:22 · 7 answers · asked by kristen t 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
That is a question that can't be answered.
The sad part of smoking-related lung disease is that the suffering goes on for a long time; this you are already aware of.
Sounds like your mother would benefit from cardiac and pulmonary rehab, preferably run by a physical therapy department. If the pulmonary rehab is run by a Respiratory Therapy department, that is great, too. Before starting either program, you should have your mom assessed for basic activities by a physical therapy department.
Make sure she takes her medications as instructed and if she has any problems with the medications she is taking, talk with the prescribing physician before just stopping (unless it's an allergic reaction).
Your mom should have a pulmonologist on her team to manage her lungs. Make sure she's getting the flu and pneumonia vaccines. Again, she should be working with a pulmonologist.
The pulmonologist will have the best answer to your questijon about life expectancy, but it may turn out to be a non-answer;
Wishing you both well.
2006-10-08 05:11:00 · answer #1 · answered by OU812 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is a good question, I was diagnosed about a year or two ago>
I also have Chronic life threatening asthma (I'm in the top 1% of all asthmatics as far as the seriousness of the condition).
I am not a bad off as your Mom....but it would also benefit to read up on steroids and all that they can do as far as side effects so you know what to look for...I have been steroid dependent for over 15 years. Also look into supplements...steroids deplete the body of vitamin D calcium potassium....Also those aromatherapy pots...try those with eucalyptus in...helps ease breathing....Vick's on chest and back -before full blown lung infection can aid breathing...
Sorry I didn't really answer you question...it guess it all boils down to the patient and how well they respond to therapy....
2006-10-08 22:50:19 · answer #2 · answered by CrazyCatLady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It just depends, we have a saying at our hospital, "You can't kill a COPD'er" and you really cant the body adapts to the decrease need of oxygen, etc, but repeat lung infections etc, zap the immune system, so it is hard to say.
2006-10-10 03:03:10 · answer #3 · answered by LV 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i glad she has stopped now that part is good but sometimes it could help if she goes to breating classes my mother also has copd and these classes help there offered through the hospital you could check for information ...as there is no cure for copd this is treatable and depending on how severe she could live for a long time yet.y dad dided of emphasemia but had it for 20 years copd turns into this also so im glad she quuit smoking... its hard to watch your parents struggle with breathing...but as long as she takes care of herself she could live a long time yet..my prayers are with you!
2006-10-08 12:02:56 · answer #4 · answered by mary c 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Life expectancy is very patient dependent. Every one is different. Your mothers physician is better equipped to answer this question.
2006-10-09 21:42:51 · answer #5 · answered by A M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on how you take care of youself and your attitude , keep it positive it really helps , I've had COPD for 4 years and your attitude really helps and also knowing your limitations and staying as active as you can ...good luck
2006-10-09 11:08:49 · answer #6 · answered by bill j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please see the webpages for more details on COPD. Consult your doctor.
2006-10-08 12:03:13 · answer #7 · answered by gangadharan nair 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋