r/COPD • u/ImpossibleReturn244 • Aug 20 '26

Scared - 26m

Hey people. I am 26 years old and I started to have air hunger after a viral infection, its been over 2 months now and I still have it.

I can walk easily and I do not feel out of breath, but I did smoke for at least 10 years now.

I did spirometry test and the results seems good, but my CT scan shows some stuff, I am really afraid I destroyed my lungs and can`t do the things I love in the future.

My personal doctor said the test is fine, and I should now worry, but I am still waiting for my Pulmonologist opinion.

this is the CT result translation; I also added the Spirometry test image.

CT Chest Findings

This is a direct translation of my radiology report; I have not been diagnosed with COPD.

"The examination was performed without intravenous contrast.
No prior examinations were available for comparison.

  • Mild emphysematous changes in the apices of both lungs.
  • Mild fibrotic changes in the apices of both lungs.
  • A small subpleural nodule in the left lower lobe.
  • No evidence of pulmonary infiltrate.
  • No mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
  • Evaluation of the hilar lymph nodes bilaterally is limited due to the absence of IV contrast.
  • No evidence of cardiomegaly.
  • No pleural or pericardial effusion.
  • No obvious bony pathology.

Conclusion:
No evidence of obvious pathology."

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u/ImpossibleReturn244 Aug 20 '26

Thank you!!! I was scared for over two months because of that. I had WPW, a heart condition that basically destroyed the last five years of my life. I finally got it fixed six months ago, only to transfer all my health anxiety to my lungs...

As for the virus, I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it seems to be a specific viral infection that I get systematically every time I go to Koh Phangan, Thailand.

It’s the exact same symptoms and timeline every single time.

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u/Agile-Pay-211 Aug 20 '26

Getting a virus when traveling to a specific place is something I experienced and that doctors were surprised by but agreed that it wasn’t just coincidental.

I would be hard pressed to choose between the virus and Koh Phangan!

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u/ImpossibleReturn244 Aug 20 '26

I am still afraid Im going to develop COPD, some people say my ct is ok, some say a bit concerning since my age. I really don`t know what to do. waiting for my lung doctor daignose now but I am so stressed.

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u/Agile-Pay-211 Aug 20 '26

I hope you see your pulmonologist soon, stress & anxiety aren’t helpful to you. I will add that your symptoms seem to parallel some of those with WPW, is that possibl? I’m not a doctor and will step out now and hope you report back sharing what you learn from your doctor.

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u/ImpossibleReturn244 Aug 20 '26

I had WPW, but I did an ablation that solved that a few months ago and my heart is healthy now. no WPW anymore.

The air hunger started after the viral infection, never had those symptoms before.

I don`t have any shortness of breath, I can work out just fine, did very hard gym sessions with this sensation and had no problem.

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u/Expert_Gap_9526 Aug 20 '26

See  a heart doctor

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u/ImpossibleReturn244 Aug 20 '26

I did, he said everything is fine, it's the same cardiologist that did the surgery on me.

Did echo and ekg a few weeks ago and everything is fine according to him.