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Lung age reduced from 59 to 37 years by quitting smoking...WOW!!

Posted , 7 users are following.

nick00070
nick00070

---THERE IS NO GREATER PLEASURE THAN DOOING WHAT YOU ARE TOLD CAN NOT BE DONE!---

Im a 33 yo male and was told in march of this year that I have COPD, lung age was measured as 59 years with lungs performing at 76% of expected value. I was a heavy smoker from age 14 until 7 weeks ago, so 19 years of heavy smoking, occasional cannabis use and breathing in dust all day at work (im an electrician) had done me no favours!

I was told that if i stopped smoking It would reduce the rapid decline and due to my young age possibly even recover very slightly.

I went back for another spirometory test today and amazed the nurse and my GP. I was told that im no longer in a COPD category and my lungs are functioning at 93% of the expected value for my age! Obviously im over the moon about this!

I have also been excercising as much as possible, at least a 40min brisk walk every day. I still find running or other intense cardio gets me out of breath very quickly but it is no where near as bad as before.

I used to have awful coughing fits in morning and evenings when I smoked and was constantly coughing up flem and clearing my throad about every 20 mins. This has improved drasticaly too. 

I realise that I still have permanant dammage to my lungs but from everything i have read about COPD it seems I have made an astounding recovery in such a short space of time. 

It is genarally said that it is a one way process but PLEASE PLEASE dont give up hope! STOPPING SMOKING HAS MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE!!

I still puff of ecigs and hopefully one day i can phase them. There is no way i would have stopped smoking without them and belive them to be an amazing tool to quitting. It took a while to get used to them from tobacco but they really are worth a try if you want to quit or cut down.

I have had a lot of anxiety and depressive problems which were made far worse when I found out about my COPD, but I now feel that a huge weight has been taken off me! THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!

 

2 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Gary0809
    Gary0809 nick00070

    Posted

    Nicely done Nick!! Really happy for you smile

    I'm 30 years old smokec for around 15 years and iv been experiencing breathing difficulties over the last 2 years.i quit smoking just over a year ago and iv sadly felt no benefit apart from financially.

    Strange thing is iv had 2 X-rays & 4 spirometry tests and all have come back normal which as you can imagine left we very confused.

    I'm now in for a full lung function test on the 18th do hopefully get to the bottom of it.

    All the best Gaz

    • nick00070
      nick00070 Gary0809

      Posted

      That does sound strange. The fact that the xrays are ok rules out the possibility of anything terrible i believe, such as fibrosis or cancer. Do you often cough up mucas and need to clear your throat a lot? Or get easily out of breath after excercise? they were the main problems i had. Im sure they will sus out what is happening soon enough. Best of luck to you!
  • Patty1234
    Patty1234 nick00070

    Posted

    First of all, a big HURRAY for quitting smoking!!  I am so glad to hear your lung function has returned!!  I pray you continue to feel better and live a well life!!!
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee nick00070

    Posted

    Congratulations!  I have not been a smoker but suffer lung disease from birth.  But I have heard from smokers throughout my years that smoking is difficult to stop.  You have accomplished something wonderful!  

    Best wishes!

  • morgan_amiko
    morgan_amiko nick00070

    Posted

    Congratulations on your success! Hope that all will just be on the up and up from here on out for you! smile
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