Copd
Posted , 6 users are following.
I've just been told I've got copd I have up smoking in November I've been really ill since ive stopped will it get better.
0 likes, 31 replies
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Notes on Copd
larry49033 louise99338
Posted
I myself quit smoking only 2 1/2 years ago. I still can recall the Nicotine withdrawal, the craving to smoke (especially following meals), and substituting food/snacks to try to curb the physiological hold that cigarettes had held on me. So I fully understand it all. You will feel better as your lungs clear, but it takes time and some tough coughing episodes as well.
Pat yourself on the back each time that you don't smoke a cigarette when you used to. Mark your calendar for the day that you quit on and for each additional day with a smiley face. Celebrate your victories with a dinner out for your 3 month/6 month/and 1 year anniversaries.
Be sure that you keep a regular routine of healthy meals, regular sleep, and add some exercise if you feel up to it. Visit a Pulmonary Specialist to learn how much damage you have done yourself from smoking. They may have you get x-rayed and possibly a MRI test. A PFT (Pulmonary function test) is one of the most standard test that you will be asked to undergo. Follow your Dr's orders and keep a stiff upper lip as you go along.
I hate to tell you this, but whatever damage that you have sustained over time will not reverse itself. However by quitting smoking you have stopped doing additional damage to yourself. As for me I lost 70% of my lung function and still I have a craving to smoke. I never will of course and I celebrate now every June 15th as my "Quit Smoking Day" with a family diner.
louise99338 larry49033
Posted
well done to you aswell and thankyou for the advice
amkoffee louise99338
Posted
unfortunately the way you feel is perfectly natural for the length of time you stop smoking . I quit 12 years ago and I had read something about this phenomena and I experienced it as well. I think the theory is that it takes a while for your body to get rid of all of the toxins you've been putting in your body. And this could cause extra coughing and you could even feel like you've got a cold. Stay tough and try to remember that this is temporary. If you every want to talk about your smoking cessation feel free to contact me.
mandy4711 louise99338
Posted
Hi Louise,
Well done for giving up the smoking. I haven't actually been told i have copd and this is where i am confused. I failed my spirometry test as was unable to complete the last blow successfully and my chest x-ray showed signs of emphysema that was over a year ago. I keep asking the Dr do i have copd but i never get a straight answer. I was give an inhaler though. I still smoke and yes i know i should stop as even i can tell that my lungs are really going through it but im having difficulties quitting mainly because in my life i spent 25 years housebound due to Agoraphobia which led to me becoming addicted to Alcohol. I am now 10 years Alcohol free and do go out but still have panic attacks so smoking helps me. I wish i could just get a straight answer about my condition or do another test at least this way i would no. I hope that you start to feel better soon and hopefully i will be a non smoker soon as i'm destroying my lungs.
amkoffee mandy4711
Posted
I've been told by addicts that they thought it was harder to quit smoking then to quit a drug. Quitting alcohol is so dangerous that I don't know if an alcoholic would feel that way. BTW, how did you manage to quit drinking since you had problems leaving you home? The pros tell alcoholics to go to the hospital to quit because it is possible to die from stopping alcohol cold turkey.
mandy4711 amkoffee
Posted
Hi amkoffee ,
Smoking is a lot harder to give up than Alcohol. Well it is for me anyway. When i was an Alcoholic i was drinking a bottle of neat vodka a day plus wine. From the time i woke up till bedtime. One day my mum visited me and said i looked yellow and called the Doctor. Anyway a long story short i was sent to a liver specialist and had lots of tests and scans and was told that if i did not give up drinking i would be dead with in 6 months. On the drive home i sat there thinking what can i do as i didn't want to die and i couldn't go into rehab as being agoraphobic this would be a nightmare. So i had to do it on my own and quickly before the specialist had booked my rehab.
I got off Alcohol by cutting down a quarter bottle of vodka a day for 4 days and at the end of the 4th day that was it i haven't touched a drink in 10 years now. I was lucky not to have suffered any withdrawals at all as i new the dangers as had been in rehab before but discharged myself as they pump you full of pills which personally i think make you worse. If i had suffered any tremors or felt really ill i knew that i could take a drink if needed but i didn't and when the specialist phoned to say they had a place for me in rehab i told him i had done it myself and had been dry for 2 weeks. He was happy i was dry but angry as i could have died from withdrawals but i knew what i was doing and anything to keep me out of rehab was my motivation. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone as yes it can be dangerous but for me it worked and i did not suffer any withdrawals. Personally i think in rehab they give you to many pills which make the withdrawal process worse. Anyway sorry for the long reply but people find it hard to believe that it only took 4 days and no withdrawals especially when you had been an Alcoholic for years but its true. Just wish i had the same strength and courage with the smoking as i know this is also killing me. I will get there in the end i just need to do it in my own time.
larry49033 louise99338
Posted
The addiction to Nicotine made quitting one of the most difficult things that I've ever done. I went from a pack a day to Zero. What helped me was several things.
I had already tried quitting with gum, and patches, and other methods. I quit "Cold Turkey". It required me to apply the most self discipline that I had ever used. No doubt about it was very hard to do, but it got easier as each day passed. I still crave a cigarette, but I know that one puff would send me on a coughing jag that I don't need. Also, life as a non-smoker is better and I can now afford a few of the things that I used to have to do without too.
If you smoke, find a way, any way to quit as soon as you can. You might be surprised with how good it will make you feel.
louise99338 larry49033
Posted
Thankyou so much I know I will do it just seeing what else people are saying it gives me more support to do so
larry49033 louise99338
Posted
You can lean on me and others here. If having others to talk with, complain to, or to vent your feelings helps you in any way to help yourself, then I and others will be here for you. The goal is to stop damaging yourself and begin moving in a healthier direction.
mandy4711 larry49033
Posted
Reading your comment Larry has given me inspiration to try and quit smoking as it is controlling my life. I gave up years ago using patches but then started again. I am 52 years old and i am so stressed out that i keep thinking this is the year im going to die. This maybe because a friend of mine has just passed away and she was my age. She had a lung transplant which was successful then all of a sudden she became ill and they found she had liver cancer which had spread. I am so scared of quitting as i feel my stress will get worse and i smoke as soon as i wake up which is bad. If you went cold turkey that must have been so hard but well done. I Know i must quit so tomorrow im going to try the patches again.
larry49033 mandy4711
Posted
That's great news Mandy. If hard candy, snacks, or other comfort foods will help get you through your first few weeks and you can stand gaining a little weight, then I say go for it. Use every tool you can muster right now to help you win the smoking battle. You can deal with those few extra pounds down the road.
Get friends and family to come and visit you to help give you support. Get involved with a hobby or other activity that will take your mind off the battle. O yes, it will be a battle, so you will just have to be stronger than the cigarettes.
You can also go on line and find a stop smoking support group. They may have better ideas than me and can be helpful.
Finally, I and others will always be here to give you support. Many of us have traveled the road that you are about to travel and can fully understand the brave choice that you are making. All the Best !
mandy4711 larry49033
Posted
Thanks for the advice Larry. I dont mind putting on weight as only 7 stone but exercise is difficult as im disabled now and a wheelchair user . I will try and keep busy as much as i can then hopefully i will be a non smoker soon.
larry49033 mandy4711
Posted
Across the pond here in America, a stone is something one skips across a lake or pond. LOL
My COPD has left me with only 30% lung capacity. For me exercise is walking 4 to 5 steps and then stopping to catch my breath. You have enough problems to deal with, so beating Smoking can only serve to benefit your quality of life.
We are here for you, you are not alone.
amkoffee larry49033
Posted
It's been 12.5 years since I quit and I have to say that the biggest thing I enjoy is not having to go outside to smoke. Secondly is constantly being on my mind where/when I can go have my next cig. But these days a lot of the younger kids quit by using an E-Cigerette. My son did this even before they became as popular as they are now. One of my other sons switched to the E-cig but with no intention of quitting. However he is only getting the tobbaco not any of the crap they put in a cigerette.
mandy4711 larry49033
Posted
Thanks larry . I am determined to quit as so fed up with feeling ill all the time and breathless. I just have to be strong and say NO rather than think oh well i will stop tomorrow like i always do.
louise99338 mandy4711
Posted
Hi Mandy you can do this if you can give up achohol you can give up cigarettes
mandy4711 louise99338
Posted
Thanks Louise i will give it my best shot.