i asked if anyone could give me any advice but didnt get any response so i did what i should have in the first place and have researched it..its quite serious yet it doesnt phase me too much..the worst has been telling the kids.. i now know that i am going to have to change my diet quite alot and also have a little time every day to do some light exercise..i am worried about the diet bit as i am only 8st 10 or 59kg so i am drastically underweight already and have to drink fully nutritional milkshakes as well as trying to eat as many small meals as possible.my bullous lung disease and emphysema are irreversable and although i can help to slow the process down its not going to go away...i am at peace with that and accept that my aim is to help myself by not getting worse..my breathing isnt too bad at the moment in fact i was able to do about 1/2 hour in the garden weeding today which helped and made me feel positive about myself...i am not an invalid and i shall do everything in my power to make sure i get the most out of every day i am sure that there are many like me that are facing their illness rather than burying their heads in the sand but i would love to hear some stories and advice from anyone that wants to or needs to talk to someone i want to get as much input as i can...i will never lose my smile ..rich lewis

You are quite fortunate.  I could never do 1/2 hr in the garden, due to some extent to being overweight.  Your lack of weighe is a big plus.  My father who died of emphysema was much smaller than I, and did not have the problems I have. 

I hope you will not feel sorry for yourself because there is no one communicating with you. 

My symptoms were most manageable two years ago when I was able to exercise every day, using treadmill, a leg machine called NUSTEP, and some light weight-lifting.  Foolishly, I took a job that prevented me from exercising regularly and gained most of the weight back.  That resulted in being back on oxygen 24/7 whereas I had been off it almost completely.  Keep up the exercising but don't overdo it.  The supplements should help.  I know they helped me recover when I was in the hospital.

hi no i'm not feeling sorry for myself.. i am probably too laid back about the whole situation, i have another lung function test coming up. the last one was 46% retention and i have been told that if it goes down to 30% i will have to look at a transplant and then my weight could cause me problems as i am quite frail and i am a bit worried that an operation like that could be too much for my body to take but i will cross that bridge when i come to it..i was told the other day that there might be a new laser treatment for bullous lung disease which has come too late for me but hopefully will benefit others with the same condition in the future..yes i am fortunate to be able to do some gardening!! however i do push myself too much sometimes and suffer for it but i am aware that exercise is something we need to do to try and help our breathing.. i am sorry to hear how ill you are and sincerely wish you all the best and thanks for your reply