Hi there,
I've just had a spirometry test. All my values were normal except that the flow curve has a slight concave pattern. I have read that this can be an early indication of obstructive disease even when values are normal. I'm terrified and cannot think about anything else.
My information: 42 years, old, childhood exposure to secondhand smoke in the house (mom died of lung cancer last year), plus about a 10-pack year smoking history. I quit over 12 years ago. I eat well and exercise regularly.
I had the spirometry test done because I had a few nights where I woke up feeling congested and had a hard time breathing. I had one done earlier in the summer as part of a routine physical and it also had the concave shape.
My doctor doesn't seem worried but has referred me to a lung specialist. The doctor suggested this could also be an indication of asthma.
But I cannot shake the feeling that this is an early sign of COPD and I keep googling symptoms and reading all I can about it, which keeps confirming my worst fears.
Some questions: (1) could this be asthma? (2) if it is early COPD, how long can it stay in its early stages? I have a 1.5 year old son and it breaks my heart to think that I won't be able to see him grow up and be active with him.
Any advice or words of encouragement would be much appreciated!