Hi,
I am a 49 yr old female dxed with COPD in 2006, my FEV1 and FVC ratio is 53%. FEV1 1.7 at last PFT a month ago. My O2 sats on resting are 96-97 , but am on oxygen and a bipap at night for severe obstructive sleep apnea and I have obesity hypoventilation syndrome. My question on the COPD is that I have had a chest xray, ct-scan with dye and they were normal. From what I have read on the net that emphysema would show up on the ct scan at least.
A little about my lung problem history, I used to be a smoker, quit at least 15 years ago maybe more. I was dxed with severe chronic asthma back in the 80s, was in out of hospital for breathing treatments till the early 90s, quit smoking , that ended that problem, still was short of breath but no excaberations, didn't get sick until 12/05 and got pneumonia, then dxed with COPD 08/06 by a PFT, doctor didn't say emphysema or chronic bronchitis, just COPD based on my the PFT results. I haven't been able to exhale right since as long as I can remember at least 1o years, blamed my SOB on my obesity and asthma. When I push to exhale hard something a little phlemy then it's ok, think that would screw up my PFT results since the FEV1 is based on that first second of exhalation.
My weight is an issue as my lack of exercise, I'm at least a 150 lbs overweight, the online BMI calculator said I have a BMI of 55.3, maybe my weight has an effect on the PFT test . I've been on diet "again" but it is hard with my depression, Doctors are recommending gastric bypass or the lapband.
How long can one live with a FEV1 of 53%?, and what would the average rate of lung function decline be for a non-smoker., This has got me so depressed it is making my diet hard. I feel what is the use since Ive been given this " death sentence".
Linda
Been DX with COPD. Test Questions, weight a factor? 
