Robi, you've probably had COPD for much longer than you think. It's an insidious disease that sneaks up on you over years and years. It's easy to think that the problems that are really caused by COPD are because you're getting older, you've gained weight or you're out of shape. Most pulmonologists would tell you that if you're in your 50s when diagnosed, you've probably had it for at least 15 to 20 years prior. It progresses so slowly that you often don't realize that you're in trouble until things are really quite bad.

you don't have to be a smoker to get copd.

I am a former smoker and had chronic bronchitis (2x a year for years). In 1999, I "burned" my lungs stripping a piece of furniture. I thought the area was aired out enough . That was in October, 1999. I went back to work Thanksgiving week 1999. Back to work 2 days and I got sick with the flu. I was off 3 months and diagnosed with COPD during that time. Thus began my journey with COPD.

In the early 2000 only advice I have is quit smoking , keep moving , and stay away from sick people 😎

@A MyCOPDTeam Member that very true. My COPD was due to fluid in both lungs from Congestive Heart Failure.

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