Question: I am looking for another opinion I quit smoking 15+ years ago. I have had 7 PFTs taken since 2001. All are similar with exception of fef25/75. It has gone up and down over and over. The high was 99 after bronchodilator test with out it was 62 The lowest was 49. Otherwise it has hung around 69 all these years. The last pft was 3 weeks ago. Those result are the following. Fvc. 112. Fev 98. Fev/Fvc. 72. Fef25/75 62. After bronchodilator it was 99. Fef 50 was 70. After bronchodilator 94. Rv 103. Tlc 117. DLCO 99

As I have said they all have been about the same. The pulmonologist commented no copd but possible very mild asthma. Over the past few years I wake with a tight chest which seems to limit air inflow. I do not have mucus in lungs and until. Started using qvar for treatment I did not cough. Now I go into a coughing spell in the morning after taking it.
I have been diagnosed with GAD anxiety and the pulminologist said that does not play well with asthma and makes the inflammation worse. My anxiety has been very continuous over the past few years with a number of deaths in my family and a bad marriage etc.
if the PFTs have been same percentages excluding fef which did improve with bronchodilator have been similar would you think I should be in same condition as I once did. And any current symptoms are age related changes, possible asthma, and gad

I also have issues with running out of breath when talking including talking while walking
I was told that anxiety can be a cause for that

Oh the flow curve is just slightly curved not much but still curved. I get out over 5 liters Fvc and 3.44 fev

Give me an opinion

You know I have to say generalized anxiety disorder plays havoc with body and mind. Always has you questioning why. Why you feel this way. Why this. Why that. So thanks I'll keep working at it. Maybe my breathing will go back to normal.

No you haven't hurt me. I am in a quandary, I get up everyday and maybe it's my mind acting immediately but I'll try to take a deep satisfying breath and get a small amount. I know my airways are inflamed and I wonder if I do have an asthma component or not

My turn to say it. "I can understand your concern" ha ha

Generally speaking, i am always positive. I have a negativity that arises when my body reacts differently than usual. I come to accept that the pft and you along with all the other dr's agree that there is no LUNG disease (COPD) but when it reacts with tight chest, hard to take a deep breath, Short of breath on simple actions, I wonder if I have inflamed airways or what,

To understand the physiologic and psycho actions of stress and anxiety keep me from accepting my health. How something so simple can cause this. To think back and recall events that I had breathing problems, i look for an anxiety moment to that and do not see it.

I hope I havent offended you with looking for another opinion, GAD causes such questioning of the body that I guess I am looking for another answer of agreement so I can feel more assured. You, I believe are a very knowledgeable and wise man to your profession. I am thankful that you are a concerned and caring friend. I guess its easiest said that I am just an anxious and scared person. Scared because I wish to live and enjoy gods gift of life and not suffer as I have seen.

I wonder how much it will take to bring my anxiety down and to come to 100% acceptance so that I will stop imagining my breathing issues and will let the body work normally. I know that watching my mother and another die from COPD has not made my thinking go as it should and I wonder how many other factors contribute. I need to stop thinking and relax easier said than done.

I will have to continue some of this later so you can get a better picture.

You may and you are welcome to ask. I shall answer, sometimes more is said than needed but i will answer

Presently married I am Considering a divorce, very stressful in this marriage
Have been married before have grown kids from this.
Sexually active, occasionally, this relationship does not give me that much pleasure

Ok,
First I hope to divorce ASAP
Second, This is my 3rd marriage. The first two divorced me. I have had some time with this marriage to see what my failures were and realize that I am better off not married. now..... follow carefully..... my second wife wishes she never divorced me. Also, we have been best of friends since the divorce. I had a hard time with the divorce, very stressed but got through it.. Miss her alot. She is looking forward to me getting back to my old house/home after this divorce takes place. I have decided to be very careful with relationship so not to cause stress to come back.
Third, I have had several fantasy thoughts and arousal outside of this marriage. Those of past relationships include exwife.

My second wife and I have children together and grand children. We divorced but we never stopped talking. She lives in another city 526 kilometers away. We talk via email and text. We are friends not enemies.

Fantasy thoughts would be best said as daydreams, thoughts of times spent that were sexual and great. ones that still can get my heart racing just by thinking of them. ha, personal, yes but fun.