My dad has COPD and still smokes how long does he have left?

Question

I know noone will be able to tell exactly how long he has but I was wondering if anyone has experience with it or has seen a loved on who has continued to smoke and its effects on their longevity. It does seem as though his body is preparing for shut down. He still can do stuff around the house but now he's having abominal trouble, blood in the stool, increased heart rate and memory problems. Thanks in advance.

Response to crusader. I know those other physical problems arent caused by COPD. My concern is his body is shutting down. His elevated heart rate of 205 the other night and now blood in stool are signs that say to me that his body is starting to work too hard. Peoples memory will be effected when they are in alot of pain. Also he was a gray color when i woke him the other night. So from what Ive seen it looks like there are other things going on inside and having COPD is making it harder for his lungs to get oxygen to help heal or maintain his body.

Answer 1

My husband has had congestive heart failure and copd for the lat fifteen years. Five years ago, he had a bi-ventricular pacing device (a long name for a pacemaker with a third lead) put in. Much to my displeasure, he continues to smoke. He can do pretty much whatever he wants to do, just has to take more time doing it. Of course, we both know that if they would quit smoking it would help, but they are not. So we just have to love them anyway and enjoy the time we have with them.

Answer 2

My mother was diagnosed with COPD when she was 25, she still smokes. She will be 53 in November. No one really knows about how long someone will live but as you mentioned each bit of info helps. I will tell you this much also, over the past year her heart problems have gotten worse, her stools are not that solid anymore & she has been experiencing headaches that is not helping her memory problems.
We just found out today that she has an abnormal hilar mass. I do not know what this means exactly, doctor wanted to wait until he gets the CT Scan back. He asked for a phone in report of results this is how serious it can be.

Answer 3

Well, if he can still get around on his own and is able to do things around the house, then he seems to be in good shape. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a tough one, but people can live for a long time with it. But the abdominal pain and blood in the stool as well as memory problems, I'm not sure that I'm seeing a connection to the COPD. Perhaps his doctor should be aware of these symptoms and do further testing.

Answer 4

You don't mention how old your dad it, but I would assume he is elderly. The cause of the blood in the stool needs to be found.

My uncle also had copd. He refused to stop smoking as well. He was 86 when he died. However he died from a blood clot following surgery on his back.

Answer 5

You know smoking reduces 15 years of your life(on an average basis).. And if he has COPD then he needs to leave it.

Answer 6

he could have years left or he could have not very long . you would really be able to see just how bad off he is now . if you could help him quit smoking that would greatly increase his chances of living a much longer time.

Answer 7

that has to do with respiratory not the other, i have been said to have it stile smoke stile get around some what, what is shutting my body down is deterioration and arthritis.