well my doc said that to me awhile ago i guess they can only give us the med we need and keep us confee

Wow the hard question to answer for sure. New things are coming out everyday and who knows but God when our time is up or not. I am a stage 4 (End Stage) survivor of over 23 years now. I will tell you that the term End Stage is over rated by every means of the word. I have been told by a pulmonologist this past year that "What did i expect, I had out live my life expectancy with COPD. Two weeks later i get an official letter in the mail telling me that i no longer would be seen by my pulmonologist that i needed to address all my medical concerns with my primary doctor from this point on. Diane i will tell you this: I GET UP EVERY DAY AND FIGHT FOR MY NEXT BREATH AND MY DOCTOR(S) DAMN SURE BETTER BE DOING THE SAME FOR ME. There is new technology coming out all the time and this is why COPD research programs are a much. Learn all you can and apply it to your situation and NEVER GIVE UP. Hope for a cure ASAP...................God Bless🙂

Doesn't have to be your life. If you're not happy with this pulmonologist, find another one and ask for a second opinion. I'd find one who is younger and who's graduated since 2005; when most of them went to medical school they learned about customer service being a major part of health care. I'd also look for a board certified pulmo or infectious disease doc. I'd go with a list of questions about how you might be able to change things for yourself with the help of the doc. One of the big things to talk about is pulmonary rehab. A good exercise program will help your heart and lungs become much more efficient. Diet, healthy eating and life-style will help a lot, as will weight loss, unless you're one of those skinny types. If you don't hear about things you can do that will help you, and you're not sure the doc is on your side, I'd dump them and find another. It may take a couple of tries before you find someone you think you can work with.

I'm on O2, and have been, first for exercise and sleep and now for most exertion. Until COVID, I traveled by air at least twice and sometimes three times a month. I still work remotely from home and do a lot of work as a COPD advocate. I'm 77 and my FEV1 hovers in the mid-30s and has for over 20 years. It's possible to have a really good, satisfying, productive life with COPD, but you do have to work at it.

Sometimes mine seems to think I’m crazy and gives me harsh answers and then I question him. He sometimes gets a little snooty, but I get right back at him and want answers. I’m sorry your dealing with this.

Doctors can refer you to pulmonary therapy which helps a lot I hope you feel better soon ashNrell2