Jim,

Just wanted to ask; are you currently smoking? Or did you get it from
something else? If you do smoke, you know it'll only get worse until
you quit.

As for living with it... Well, for one thing, I don't know how far
progressed your emphysema is right now, but I can only suggest that
you ask your doctors about Advair, Pulmicort, Serevent, Flovent, or
some other "slow acting" inhalers... Using the albuterol (which is a
"fast-acting" inhaler) exclusively can lead to tolerance to its
effects (that is, when you have an attack you'll need much more
albuterol than is normal or safe to relieve it). Aside from that, you
just need to listen to what your body is telling you -- rest when you
need to, and do not over-exert yourself.

Regards,
Chris

--- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, thetrainman00@a... wrote:
> Hi Group:
>
> I just joined the group and thought I should introduce myself. My
name is
> Jim and I am 56 years old. I was just diagnosed with Emphysema
three weeks ago.
> At first I was in shock and thought it is the end of everything. I
have
> come to grips with this disease now and realize it doesn't have to
be the end of
> everything. I will need to adjust my life style and learn what I
can and
> cannot do. I am currently taking Albuterol and Singulair. The
Albuterol is two
> puffs three time daily and the Singular is one pill once daily. I
am currently
> on a Leave of Absence from work until December 29. My doctor says
we will go
> from there.
>
> Any advice on how I can best deal with this disease would be helpful.
>
> Living with Emphysema,
> Jim from Kentucky