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COPD and coil surgery? lung volume reduction surgery?
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mr1964
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mr1964
Last activity on 07/06/2021 at 9:50 PM
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Hello,
I have looked into this before and it seems to effective for the right person, which your surgeon should be able to identify - or get a second opinion.
The benefits seem to be that it greatly improves breathlessness! Remember thought to do your research because any surgery is permanent!
Lee__R
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Lee__R
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Last activity on 04/03/2020 at 5:04 PM
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1,340 comments posted | 35 in the COPD Forum
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Hello members, hope you do not mind me tagging you, but thought you may find this topic interesting, have some advice to lend, or have similar questions also! Feel free to share below.
@Techchick @Lhamo62 @Bevsfolly1 @mamawbruce @Maria22 @BobPreston @tmac1830 @maryrogers @trdriver1 @RickSr @Barbeesu @Im2spicy @fosterl65 @giggles @Marylou @byumimi @samiam1954 @shertate1203 @bpitts_01 @Heavenbound813
Heavenbound813
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Heavenbound813
Last activity on 05/08/2019 at 12:38 PM
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16 comments posted | 2 in the COPD Forum
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Emphman,
I'm an RN. I have COPD and Sarcoidosis affecting my lungs. This surgery is one I've never heard of, so it must be new. As suggested, I would research the surgery itself and not only the results but also by speaking with patients that have gone through it, ...do get a second opinion.
If your shortness of breath is so bad you'd do anything... (If you don't already know), get a 'staged' diagnosis and your Pulmonologist's prognosis. So you know how severe your Emphysema is and how much time you have left.
Being a new procedure, I doubt they have many outcomes good or bad. That's why speaking with real patients that have been through it is the best information you could get.
Think about cancer and chemotherapy...in most cases patients have a pretty good quality of life when diagnosed. If living longer is what patients want, the effects of chemo is worth it. For so many... It isn't. The end result is the same.
Lung Reduction as I know it is removal of diseased (damaged) lobes of your lungs to help the remaining lobes expand easier hence making breathing easier.
My scar tissue is in both upper lobes and middle right lobe. Their elasticity is compromised by the scarring. I have the largest lobes allowing me to breathe, I'm good with that. For now.
Placement of a coil? Hard for me imagine pathophysiologically. However, like I said...they are doing miraculous things these days in medicine.
I do know.. major surgery is painful and has complications in itself. Difficulty breathing is devistating. I can't do many activities because I can't breathe. It wears me out causing extreme fatigue and weakness. My lungs burn and are in pain all the time. If the possibility of breathing easier exists, and it would decrease episodes of pneumonia and such, I would consider it as well. Know the complications of the surgery well. If you are willing to go through what "may" occur...go for it, I would. If not... enjoy the time you have left, being comfortable and doing what you can.
There are A LOT of new medical breakthroughs. There are a lot of good results. Know the complications...be prepared so you have no regrets.
Be happy...be happy with Jesus by your side. With God we have the strength to get through anything.
Much love... you're in my prayers!
Keep in touch!
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Heavenbound813
emphman
emphman
Last activity on 07/21/2019 at 4:33 AM
Joined in 2018
15 comments posted | 11 in the COPD Forum
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@Heavenbound813 thank you so much for your reply and taking the time to write me; I have not elected the surgery. My BODE Index from what I was told was 3, which is pretty good. I am opting to not have it at this time, and I guess if it becomes neccessary, I may take the chance as I hope to survive long enough to see the grandkids grow.
I hope you are doing well and keeping your positive outlook! May I ask, how does Sarcoidosis affect your COPD?
Timeless
Timeless
Last activity on 08/12/2024 at 1:02 AM
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12 comments posted | 11 in the COPD Forum
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Hello,
I am taking test now to see if I qualify for the coil surgery. Really praying i can have this done.
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Bigfoot
Bigfoot
Last activity on 07/28/2024 at 9:19 PM
Joined in 2024
@Timeless are you in the US?
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Bigfoot
Bigfoot
Last activity on 07/28/2024 at 9:19 PM
Joined in 2024
I went through a clinical trial and had a small reduction done. It was mostly about lung valves and collateral ventilation.
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cbholder3
@Thakera Yes, even on Medicare it was $400+ a month. My Pulmonologist arranged for me to get it with no copay from GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, you can look up their assistance program at https://www.gskforyou.com/ Hope it goes okay for you, I am just in the process fo renewing mine for next year.
GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program
Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.
See the best comment
CarolSchmidt
@KathyA, please read what I wrote above on using oxygen. I am so, so, thrilled to have portable oxygen that gave me more of my life back. I was told in 2011 when I lived in San Miguel de Allende at 6,400 ft altitude that I needed to go on oxygen, but all I saw around town was one woman with the heavy metal canisters in a cart behind her, and that looked terrible. I moved back to near sea level and put off needing oxygen all day for another seven years, just a Bipap at night.
Finally I was huffing and having to stop every few feet even near sea level, but I still didn't want to be lugging a heavy canister behind me. I ran into an old friend who was always really active, ballroom dancing, hiking, fly fishing in rivers. And there she was with an Inogen in a backpack, doing everything she'd always done!
She showed me all about hers and the total package with machine, extra 8-hour battery, two battery chargers for house and car, carrying case, and extended warranty, was around $3,300!
Finally I saved enough for it and have loved it every minute since. I started on 2 for almost a year but had to go to 3 for every day. I switch to 4 liters a minute several times a day when I still get winded bad, and have gone up to 5 for stair climbing. I worry that I will need to go higher than 5 eventually, but I hope by then there will be sronger machines developed that go higher, though then the $500 batteries only last a few hours before needing recharging, instead of 6-8.
The portable ones now are breath-operated--you have to be breathing into the nose cannula for them to work. And my BiPap at night requires continuous flow, which the big oxygen machine Medicare covers provides, so I need both machines. Some day they may all be continuous flow and still portable.
There are cheaper, refurbished units available from the Inogen factory, too. After 1 1/2 years mine started sending strange messages and I called the factory and they sent a new one out the next day! I sent them the old one back no charge. So I am pleased with service, too.
Hope this helps you accept your machine. I am so, so happy I got mine and wish Medicare paid for everyone who needed one.(I understand in a few cases they will pay for one now, but not my particular Cigna Medicare Advantage plan.)
I bet when you go to your reunion you won't be the only one on oxygen! And everyone will be so old! The ones who are already dead and not there are the ones to think about--how many of them had COPD? Fourth leading cause of death in the US before Covid, so now we're fifth. Be glad for all the help you can get! I hope you have a wonderful reunion!
See the best comment
cbholder3
@Thakera Yes, even on Medicare it was $400+ a month. My Pulmonologist arranged for me to get it with no copay from GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, you can look up their assistance program at https://www.gskforyou.com/ Hope it goes okay for you, I am just in the process fo renewing mine for next year.
GSKForYou | GSK Patient Assistance Program
Learn how our program can assist you if you need help paying for your GlaxoSmithKline prescription medicines and vaccines, whether you have coverage or not.
See the best comment
CarolSchmidt
@KathyA, please read what I wrote above on using oxygen. I am so, so, thrilled to have portable oxygen that gave me more of my life back. I was told in 2011 when I lived in San Miguel de Allende at 6,400 ft altitude that I needed to go on oxygen, but all I saw around town was one woman with the heavy metal canisters in a cart behind her, and that looked terrible. I moved back to near sea level and put off needing oxygen all day for another seven years, just a Bipap at night.
Finally I was huffing and having to stop every few feet even near sea level, but I still didn't want to be lugging a heavy canister behind me. I ran into an old friend who was always really active, ballroom dancing, hiking, fly fishing in rivers. And there she was with an Inogen in a backpack, doing everything she'd always done!
She showed me all about hers and the total package with machine, extra 8-hour battery, two battery chargers for house and car, carrying case, and extended warranty, was around $3,300!
Finally I saved enough for it and have loved it every minute since. I started on 2 for almost a year but had to go to 3 for every day. I switch to 4 liters a minute several times a day when I still get winded bad, and have gone up to 5 for stair climbing. I worry that I will need to go higher than 5 eventually, but I hope by then there will be sronger machines developed that go higher, though then the $500 batteries only last a few hours before needing recharging, instead of 6-8.
The portable ones now are breath-operated--you have to be breathing into the nose cannula for them to work. And my BiPap at night requires continuous flow, which the big oxygen machine Medicare covers provides, so I need both machines. Some day they may all be continuous flow and still portable.
There are cheaper, refurbished units available from the Inogen factory, too. After 1 1/2 years mine started sending strange messages and I called the factory and they sent a new one out the next day! I sent them the old one back no charge. So I am pleased with service, too.
Hope this helps you accept your machine. I am so, so happy I got mine and wish Medicare paid for everyone who needed one.(I understand in a few cases they will pay for one now, but not my particular Cigna Medicare Advantage plan.)
I bet when you go to your reunion you won't be the only one on oxygen! And everyone will be so old! The ones who are already dead and not there are the ones to think about--how many of them had COPD? Fourth leading cause of death in the US before Covid, so now we're fifth. Be glad for all the help you can get! I hope you have a wonderful reunion!
See the best comment
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emphman
emphman
Last activity on 07/21/2019 at 4:33 AM
Joined in 2018
15 comments posted | 11 in the COPD Forum
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Hello everyone,
I recently finally was diagnosed with emphysema. My doctor discussed with me about an operation that invovles putting small coils in the lung to help the lungs expand and help me breathe better. Through my research and what I believe the doctor called it, it is called lung volume reduction.
Does anyone have any information on this? Anyone have it done? Does it hurt? Benefits?
Thank you all! I am little down right now,