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My experience

Posted , 2 users are following.

Jacee
Jacee

I was warned in my 20s that I should stop smoking, but didn't. Why should I? I had no symptoms. Three years ago (in my 50s) I had a severe chest infection which took months to clear up. I was again told to stop smoking, considered it, but continued as the infection got better. There have been a couple of chest infections since, and I have made a few half hearted attempts to stop smoking, without success. However, three weeks ago I became very short of breath and my condition has rapidly deteriorated. I was diagnosed with COPD and I am now on oxygen for a minimum of 15 hours a day. No one really explained anything to me until recently. Yes, I knew I should stop smoking but did not appreciate the seriousness of the risks to my health, maybe I am stupid or just did not want to know. I feel cheated and let down that I have allowed the condition to get so serious because of a lack of knowledge and only found information because I sought out this site. Surely there should be a better warning system and much more information readily available. In reading others' experiences I have become very scared. I am not ready to die yet. I have now stopped smoking - 5 days - and will take medical advice but it is probably too late for me.I had never heard of COPD until fairly recently. Please do what you can to spread the word so that others can learn the risks earlier.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I have just read your message and it sounds just like myself. I also was warned about smoking in my twenties. I am now nearing 58 and have been stopped smoking now for 4 months. Like yourself I had never heard of COPD (the term is a modern one to cover quite a few lung problems). I don't need the medics to tell me that if I don't stop the weed I will be on oxygen very soon. I used to think that my ciggies was my best friend (some friend eh!). Like yourself I also have found it hard to find much information on COPD and it seems like a secret society. Hope we can keep in touch.
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Jacee the fact that you have finally stopped smoking as probably put years on your life.

    Good for you although I feel after reading your post that a sledge hammer would have helped earlier in life. :lol:

    I suppose it is an alarming situation for you and all I can say is,eat healthy foods and try and get out into the fresh air for at least an hour a day and possibly do a bit of walking,just a little at a time at first.Hopefully you may be able to come off the o2 in the future,when you body starts healing.

  • Jacee
    Jacee

    Posted

    Hi DaveR, not been on the site in a while as been keeping busy. Still working full time and oxygen has been reduced from 2 litres to 1 litre. You are right. Even if I had been told, given a diagram and had a crystal ball I probably would hve continued to smoke for as long as I could (they were my \"best friends\" too). Still no good crying over spilt milk, or smoked fags, looking forward and staying positive always helps. :wink:
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