“PFT and COPD”
15 years ago I was diagnosed with mild COPD. By 2016, severe COPD per PFT's. In the beginning of this year, repeated PFT. Now within normal limits. No Pulmonary Rehab. Have recurrent pneumonia and "exacerbations".
I was under the impression COPD was irreversible. How can I have COPD with now normal lung function? I have all the symptoms of COPD (SOB, productive cough, fatigue, ect.) but with normal function. Isn't it possible it's not COPD? Shouldn't they be doing something more than just an albuterol inhaler? I can't walk across the room without getting winded.
I was under the impression COPD was irreversible. How can I have COPD with now normal lung function? I have all the symptoms of COPD (SOB, productive cough, fatigue, ect.) but with normal function. Isn't it possible it's not COPD? Shouldn't they be doing something more than just an albuterol inhaler? I can't walk across the room without getting winded.
Female | 49 years old
Complaint duration: 18 yrs
1 Answer
All really good questions and I can’t really answer them without seeing the tests. Generally COPD waxes and wanes, but never completely returns to normal pulmonary function. If you are still short of breath but have normal pulmonary function tests then perhaps your care team should look for other causes, like heart problems or blood clots.
