I was a heavy smoker for about 40 years (40 a day). I am now 61. I used to get cough but always thought it was due to smoking. Occasionally I consulted doctors, but my X-ray reports were always clear. About two months back I felt breathlessness while climbing stairs. Tests done on me confirmed COPD.I have quit smoking, take inhalers (three types) and somehow managing my work schedule.

I am a 42yr old female and I was just diagnosed with COPD today. My symptoms were that I kept getting really bad sinus infections, the last 2 sinus infections I had trouble coughing up anything and when I did cough something up it was disgusting. The sinus infection went away but the cough never did, so I went back to the clinic and the doctor said I was in rough shape. He gave me 2 inhalers and told me I needed to stop smoking (I have smoked for 30 years.) I am really afraid.

My wheezing was detected by physician during initial exam. The physician gave me a breathing treatment then he listened again for wheezing. At the end of the exam he referred me for pulmonary tests. After getting the results he told me that I had moderate COPD, and prescribed Albuterol inhaler for use when needed. I knew I had wheezing at times, off and on, usually not noticeable, but the diagnosis of COPD really surprised me.

I was just told the other day that I have COPD. I'm 42 and I have smoked on and off for years. I have an appointment with my regular doctor on Monday and I hope that the original diagnosis was false. I found out because I thought I had a bad sore throat. I work out five days a week and now I feel like I'm knocking on death's door. I don't know what to do from here. I keep holding out the hope that I don't have to deal with this horrible situation for the rest of my life. I hope this is not the end for me. I'm only 42.

At the onset of my COPD, it became hard to breathe.

I am a 58yr old woman, and I've smoked 20 a day for 40yrs. I was diagnosed with COPD last year, I already had asthma, and at first put my breathlessness down to that, then I started getting dizzy when getting up too fast, or when I took a coughing fit. I went to my doctor, who referred me to the asthma clinic, and after tests was diagnosed with COPD...I am down to 5 smokes per day, I am finding it terribly difficult to quit entirely, although I know what its doing to my lungs. I take 4 different inhalers a day, had to give up working and can hardly manage to do normal housework, everything seems such an effort and I tire so easily. if only I'd known the dangers of smoking when I was younger, I would never have started smoking and I wouldn't be so ill now. It depresses me that I've done this to myself and that the smokes still have such a hold on me. I only hope that the younger generation is made more aware of the dangers of smoking and the ultimate price to pay in later years.

I have recently been diagnosed with COPD. I have oxygen machines, and of course the coughing. I also have sputum that I cough out excessively. I am so depressed and frustrated, that I don't know what to do. Sometimes I can't sleep, in bed, so I sleep in my recliner. I'm very lucky in the way that I have a daughter that lives two doors down and comes and checks on me every day. The only thing that helps me feel a little better is my faith in God.

I have had chronic bronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis for years. I usually get sick twice a year, spring and winter when the weather changes. I had what I thought was a smokers cough, cold, etc. When my inability to breath normally caused me to go into A PANIC attack, I drove myself to the hospital. I was given oxygen, sedatives, and was told it was COPD. I am 47 and have smoked for 32 years.

I have asbestos damage to my lungs (pleural plaques) from working to with it. My husband of 25 years was an asbestos worker. I wonder if asbestos causes COPD or makes it worse. Thank you!

I felt a shortness of breath for approximately 5 years. It became progressively worse. I had trouble walking any distance, like 100ft. I thought it was my heart or circulation, which may have been better. This is very debilitating and uncomfortable. To walk in a store I use a shopping cart. After two days in the hospital I was diagnosed with bronchitis. At home, I couldn't stand all the breathing medications, so I quit. No phlegm or coughing or wheezing. I just have severe shortness of breath when moving.