Copd

I say this as a former smoker who'd already given up when I was diagnosed with COPD, but decades too late ...... of course it's hard to give up, but how easy is to live with rapidly deteriorating COPD?   

I rarely cough at night now after being prescribed Symbicort puffer about a year ago EXCEPT when I've been socialising around smokers or exposed to other pollution, but cigarette smoke is by far the worst thing for me.

Many smokers managed to give up in the years before patches, gum, pills, e-cigarettes, hypnosis and so on were available and you can do it too:  what have you actually done to give up?

Sorry to hear about you recent diagnosis and the difficulties you are having giving up smoking.  As I am sure everyone has told you it is the single most impoortant contribution you can make to your future health, but it isn't easy.  If you happen to be UK based there is a lot help out there, and you should ask your GP to enrol you on a pulmonary rehab' course.  There you will get tremendous support and professional advice.  Also contact you local British Lung Foundation (BLF) Breathe Easy group who also give a lot of support.  If not UK, mention your country of residence in your next post and you will be surprised at the respones you will get.

Meanwhile, it could be possible be that your sleep problems are stress related due to your recent diagnosis.  Help and support may ease that problem.  Dicuss it openly with your Doctor and any other help (Practice nurse) that may be available.

Take care of yourself, and remember you are not alone.

Michael

Smoking IS difficult to give up but it is THE singular most important thing you must do...today.

I cannot emphasize this enough. Do what you must. Use more than one method of smoking cessation at  time. Start with the nicotine patches, likely the 21 mg, and use this daily without fail for two or three months. Once you begin this patch STOP your smoking...immediately.

At the same time, have some nicotine gum on hand for times of cravings and use it accordingly...you do not chew this gum like regular gum..you chew it a few times

and then 'park' it alongside your gums.

The physical addiction to smoking is gone in approximately two weeks, after that it is behavior modification.

If you have a mobile phone, whereby you can get applications for it, there is a free app called "Smoke Free" (or one of the many others ones) they are VERY motivational and really help a lot.

I smoked for 39 years and used the above to quit. It takes perseverance, and I kept trying repeatedly over the course of a few months and I did it. Five years now.

You will NOT miss it once you are over the hump.

Once you stop the inflammation in your lungs, and the production of phlegm should ease off and allow you a better sleep.

Also be sure you are taking your inhalers properly. (hopefully you were prescribed inhalers) They are most important   to relieve symptoms.

Another help to get rid of phlegm is making sure you drink enough water. This will help to thin the secretions so that you can cough up more and spit them out. There is a medication that is found in some products that helps with phlegm and you could ask your pharmacist about this. Guafenasine.

A cough contol for the night would also be a help to allow sleep. You want to cough during the day to rid the phlegm,but if it is causing you sleep deprivation, that is not so great.

Have you tried to position yourself at more of 45degree angle , so that your head it up a bit higher?

Also, if you are having swelling in your feet,angles or legs please see you physician as this could indicate fluid retention which can also increase your cough, increase shortness of breath and make you breathing worse.

It is VERY important you get adequate sleep. If this does not improve you really should go back for a ressessment....at least see  a nurse if you cannot get into the physician.

Please write back and let us know how you are doing and any new developements.

Its easy to say it I know, but you must try and give up smoking. Sounds like you are a bit stressed, (understandable!!).  This is, (in part), probabaly one of the reasons you are not getting to much sleep. Its easy to say but try and relax, take some deep breaths if at all possible, try yoga, try anything that might get you to relax. If you are drinking things like coffee in the evening, try and cut down on that. Ifthe coughing is the problem, not only see your doctor to see if you are on the right prescription, also if the dosage is right. I don't know how you sleep in bed but try sleeping in a different position. try and raise your upper body slightly, this might help with the coughing.

I hope you get a good night sleep soon.

All the best and a Happy Christmas to you.

Kev (UK)

I am aware that smokers copd can progress quite a lot faster than non smokers,  so far I have been very lucky but I know it won't last.   So you and me both have to pack in the evil weed!  Not easy I know but it has to be done for the sake of our health.  x

​If you really can't stop smoking then away from cigarettes and smoke, try hard excercise; getting brealthless will NOT HARM YOU, it is good for you and gets the best out of what';s left of your lungs BUT, keep away from the cigs for 30 minutes before and after the exercise as smoking while the lungs are wide open WILL DO MASSIVE DAMAGE.

​You can't get better but you have the ability to slow down the rate that things get worse. In 4 years I have impoved by lung function from 53% to 61% so I know if can be done.

If you can't stop the smoking then at least cut it down - every little helps!

Good luck and breath easy!