To answer your big question, yes, of course people can die from COPD if they don't need O2. O2 usage depends almost entirely on the individual. I know people who are very young, whose disease is mild and who use O2 and people in the very severe stages who don't use O2.

Everyone, including perfectly health people, loses lung function beginning at about age 20. People who are exposed to lung irritants of any variety lose lung function faster. That's why the FEV1 is presented as a percentage: it's your lung function compared to that of someone without lung disease. For the COPDer that means that the goal is to maintain the FEV1 at their current level through diet and exercise as well as taking their meds, and most importantly, not getting sick. That means that as soon as you think you might be getting something respiratory, you need to get in touch with your doc. If you let it go and get really sick, that can do a lot more damage from which you can't recover.

Jean

go to the gym and keep exercise up I have had it a very long time 47 I was now 69 I have had it 22 years and determent it was not going to get me so done all I could to keep healthy I am on oxygen now but only in the past 3 years but I think it because I stopped my exercise to early but when you get older your body ant the same lol

@A MyCOPDTeam Member, hey there! thank you so much for your insight. Your response gave me hope. I have been diagnosed with 4 chronic illnesses, incurable, in the last couple years. emphysema is one of them. another disease of mine is going to affect the progression of the emphysema , regardless of lifestyle changes.. the inflammation caused from it will allow it to progress. it scares me awful bad. But , I have been told that the lifestyle changes will drastically improve my quality of life. I currently have 62% lung function, is what they told me... but at the time of the last pft, i was badly inflamed from my other problems, so i am wondering if maybe it isn't so bad... maybe it just showed only 62% bc of the inflammation made it hard to breathe.. anyway, i apologize for the ramble.I just wanted to say thank you and tell you that really does give me hope. I have 3 young kids and a husband and more than anything , I jst want to be here with my babies , as long as I can. they are so young and they need me... so tell me this, how long did it take you to stop smoking after your diagnosis? I was at around a half pack a day when i was diagnosed, then i managed to bring it down to 4 a day and now lo and behold i am back to 8 or so a day. i am disgusted with myself and pray for added strength. i have all the inspiration in the world to quit.. but i am mentally weak . i am wondering if you have any advice with that? thanks again! may God bless and hold you. much love and be well!

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A MyCOPDT...

Can we ever come off oxygen