I had pneumonia 5 years ago, was told I have C.O.P.D. Could they have made a mistake?

Question

They sent me home with an oxygen machine, and nebalizer machine, but i never need them i do use a spray for Asthma though. I saw some R.N's on here. Have you ever seen mistakes in this area before.

Answer 1

The thing to remember is that a diagnosis isn't a definite statement but an opinion concerning your condition. The key word is CHRONIC. The best answer to this question is to get another opinion (diagnosis) from a medical professional trained in pulmonary diseases.

Call your 1st doctor, pick up the x-rays they used to diagnose you in the first place and go to a specialist. The specialist will probably re-run the tests including a lung capacity peak-flow meter test, x-rays etc.

That's the only way to be certain.

Answer 2

The true test is called a pulmonary function test. Your doctor can order it. If it is positive for COPD, I'd suggest getting an appt. with a pulmonologist. Do you do peak flow readings at home? You don't say what type of inhaler you use - a rescue type, or a preventative type. You may just have the early stage of it, in which case you need to pursue keeping it under control and slowing down the disease progress.
COPD is very common in smokers, although it is not limited only to smokers. Do you smoke? Or are you exposed to 2nd hand smoke, or any other type of things in your day to day life, like occupational fumes or dust? Make sure the doctor knows about any type of exposure to anything, self induced or not.

Answer 3

Get a second opinion. I am not an RN but I can tell you doctors make mistakes. I was once diagnosed with Leukemia -- turned out I had a vitamin K deficiency. Years later I was diagnosed with multiple scerosis(sp) --turned out I had migraine syndrome. I know a lot of people who have been misdiagnosed - get another opinion. Let's hope they were wrong about you that would be great!!!! Good luck -k-

Answer 4

When it comes to medicine their is always room for mistakes.

I would do some research on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease so that you are more familiar with what you are dealing with.

I would then speak with your doctor and ask him to refer you to a board certified pulmonologist to confirm this diagnosis.

If it is in fact a mistake, it needs to be corrected. A diagnosis like that could effect your ability to get insurance in the future.

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Not likely . Did they do an xray ? did you have a peak flow test ? They can tell on the xrays though. If you are not satisfied with the doctors diagnoses go for a second opinion . See a pulmanologist. good luck hun

Answer 6

Yes. The "C" in COPD stands for "chronic". One bout of pneumonia doesn't qualify for "chronic" unless you have asthma or some other chronic respiratory disorder. If you are a smoker they will give you that label whether it obviously affects your function or not. That's discriminatory and you can demand to see your records and have COPD removed unless your docs can give a "real" diagnosis.

Answer 7

Dear,

How old are you, do you smoke...?
Ask a second opinion and if ou smoke quite and ask your pulmonologist for a flutter...no side effects and very efective or run.
If you have asthma increase your vitamin C to at least 2 aday 200 mg vitamin C. Learn EFT, emotional freedom technique to heal your self, with te one minute miracle.

Answer 8

It's possible they made a mistake. That's why you can always ask for a second opinion from another doctor.

Answer 9

all the time in all areas of medicine. see a pulmonologist for a second opinion.