My fiance's doctor say now he may have COPD. Am I going to lose him?

Question

My fiance's doctor say now he may have COPD. Am I going to lose him?

Follow

Share

My fiancé is a 31, physically healthy, active, 3x war vet with ptsd and tbi. They sent him to a specialty tbi clinic yesterday. His family has a healthy background from what I know. They live long lives. We were planning to have more children...is all this gone now?

Care Decisions

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

12 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First

I did not mean to imply that COPD is not a chronic, debilitating disease, only that it is manageable, especially in it's earlier stages. IF the posters husband has COPD he should still have many years left to him, and that alone should not prevent him from being a good father. It is the combination of the COPD and his other problems that concerns me, and why I tried to advise the poster educate herself and consider all possibilities.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

COPD is not an automatic death sentence, it can be managed just like his other illnesses. I am curious about the diagnosis and what could have caused such lung damage in someone so young? You should learn everything you can about his COPD and take his health into consideration if you are planning to have children, not because you are going to lose him but because it would be irresponsible to not explore all the possibilities.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

My mother is almost 82 and lives with COPD. She smoked 42 years, 2 pks a day. She quit immediately when diagnosed. She was diagnosed almost 25 years ago. She's only been using oxygen heavily for the past 2-3 years. Mom worked up until she was 78 years old, not by choice. The point is, with proper diagnosis and maintenance he can live to see newborns graduate college! Do not consider life over because of the diagnosis.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

As a retired RN who has this condition in family members, I recommend getting him under the care of a pulmonary specialist right away. These doctors are experts at treating lung conditions and know all the latest and best meds. My husband goes to one, and before every visit, he gets some type of pulmonary function test that prints out a report for the doctor, and a chest xray. The doctor has recommend specific meds/inhalers etc for him that have helped tremendously. And, of course, you would then be getting an accurate diagnosis as to whether or not this WAS COPD. And, I would say, if there's any chance that at his young age, whatever the lung problem is, if it's related to damage in the military, then he would be able to look into VA benefits for it, or if related to some other work since then, he might be eligible to take part in a law suit, or be eligible for disability as a result. Therefore, a totally accurate diagnosis and history taking as to 'cause' would be helpful at his young age. But as an RN, I agree with everyone else here....COPD, if this is the accurate diagnosis, at his young age, is fully manageable, provided he doesn't smoke or do further damage to his lungs, and is under good care for it. No reason to be scared of outcomes...but reason to move forward to get a 'for sure' diagnosis and get under care of a specialist for his lungs.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

I hate to burst your happy bubble, but COPD is a chronic, progressive disease which gets worse over time and eventually leads to death. Of course, the symptoms are manageable and can be treated but there is no cure. My father-in-law had COPD and lived for a good 15 years with the condition from his mid-50's to his early 70's. My mother is now 87 and also has it in addition to the dementia and congestive heart failure. I don't think she will die of the COPD even though she refuses her inhalers to treat it. I think in her case with her diabetes she is more apt to go from a heart attack or stroke. (She has had mini-strokes or TIA's previously according to doc). There are two types of COPD - COPD with emphysema and COPD with chronic bronchitis. COPD is almost always caused by smoking, btw, so if he hasn't already he may want to quit so that he will be around longer for you.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I worked with a woman whose father and mother married very late in her father's life. Many of her relatives were scandalized that this "old man" would start a second family so late. "That poor baby will wind up with only one parent at her graduation." And they were right. Her young mother died of cancer while my friend was still in high school. Her father went to her high school and college graduations as a single parent -- and was himself taking a few college classes in his mid-nineties.

None of us ever have guarantees. It is wise to consider the odds and try to predict most likely outcomes, but, really, when all is said and done, there is an element of risk in every marriage, and in every family.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

First job have that diagnosis reconfirmed. I
I have never smoked but a recent CT scan noted changes in my lungs "suggestive' of COPD. Note you said "probably" has COPD. Did he have exposure to any nasty chemicals while in the militarty? He is very young for the diagnosis but I personally would be more concerned about his other medical problems before adding to the family. medicine and treatments advance all the time so he could be able to look forward to many years. however COPD does eventually advance and it will be an increasing burden to care for him for many years ahead so adding to your family may not be the best for you or your children, present or future.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

My dad who is now 85 was diagnosed with asthma in his 50 and Copd in his 60. He uses a nebulizer 4x daily for the asthma and sleeps with a cpap machine at night. After you get a second opinion, educate yourself about his diagnosis, talk to his doctors, etc. I don't think it is as bad to manage and treat as you believe. Good luck

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Here is some info that may be helpful realnatural/doctor-says-that-magnesium-helps-prevent-influenza-copd-and-improves-sleep/ Second opinions are often helpful and suggestion to see a pulmonary specialist seem very wise. Do not be discouraged!

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I am 91 years old and diagnosed with COPD a couple of years ago. A recent test showed that my condition has improved a bit. I also have congestive heart failure and am diabetic, controlled by diet, but am still mobile and enjoying life so all is not lost because of your diagnosis. Do all that your doc recommends, including religiously taking your meds, and look hopefully ahead. Smoking was my downfall and I gave those cancer sticks up over 40 years ago but still not before damage had been done.

My fiance's doctor say now he may have COPD. Am I going to lose him?

12 Answers

Recent Questions

Popular Questions

Related Questions