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Smoking

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maryterese
maryterese

I foolishly went back to smoking a while back because I feel BETTER when I smoke. I stopped, but get tempted because my breathing is much better when I do! I know it is insane, but has anyone experienced this? When I quit My breathing was much worse. I think it has to do with waking up your lungs, clearing them out, so you become sob. But I swear when I did smoke, I felt fine! So crazy.

0 likes, 46 replies

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  • jude65855
    jude65855 maryterese

    Posted

    Do you mean you cough less when you smoke?  If so, that's because tobacco is a cough suppressant, which is why so many smokers cough in the mornings before the first cigarette and then not.     Believe it or not, up to the 30's and 40's doctors used to recommend smoking to TB patients because it stopped them coughing so much!

    It's not  healthy to suppress coughing because then all that muck stays in our lungs and makes our COPD worse.

     

    • maryterese
      maryterese jude65855

      Posted

      That is interesting. I never thought of it that way. I did cough less when I smoked! But I also could breathe better. Maybe for the same reasons, smoking suppresses the lungs, in a way. I just know I felt much better.
    • maryterese
      maryterese

      Posted

      Such a good point about keeping all that muck in and making copd worse.
  • Nanny1086
    Nanny1086 maryterese

    Posted

    We all felt fine when we smoked ,,,,,but too late when when we

    stopped ( for most of us ) the damage is already done to your lungs ,

    the best advise I would give anyone ,,,us stop smoking NOW , even if up you haven't got breathing problems ,my consultant told me back in 1992 ,to stop smoking as the next one could well be the one that kills you ,I'm 69 now , and I don't think I'd have it to 50 if I'd carried on and I smoked 12/15 a day ,ni with go to the gym twice a week ,2 Klm on the treadmill and 3 Klm on the bike ,,,,,at least ,,,each time ,so STOP SMOKING ,,,,,NOW 

    • maryterese
      maryterese Nanny1086

      Posted

      I agree! How old were you when you were diagnosed? I am planning to exercise regularly - have arthritis in my feet so I am very frustrated, I need to help myself fight this disease. Somehow I will do it. Also upper body.
    • jude65855
      jude65855 Nanny1086

      Posted

      Yeah by the time I stopped smoking (finally after many attempts) it was too late, even though I'd had no symptoms and used to fool myself with the ridiculous idea that I'd stop when it affected my health - how stupid was that?

      I have a beef about the Quit advertising (in Australia, don't know about elsewhere) which says your lungs will return to normal within a given time of stopping smoking - only if you stop early enough and it doesn't make that clear

    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 maryterese

      Posted

      Hi again ,I was 46 when diagnosed ,,,,but I had been I'll with repeated chest infections for years ,,,but struggled on working.  ,,,,and yes smoking ,,,,then I was blue lighted into hospital ,,,,ICU for 2 weeks missed Christmas and the new year ,,,,,that was when the consultant told me to stop smoking ,,,,and I did ,,,,no problem ,,,,I wrote on a piece of paper ,,,the words 

      THE NEXT CIGARETTE WILL KILL YOU ,,,,and whenever I wanted one ,,,I just read those words,,,,,I'm so pleased I stopped smoking as I don't think I would be here now enjoying the pleasure of time with my beautiful grandaughter,,,,,, 

  • jackie25605
    jackie25605 maryterese

    Posted

    im struggling with stopping even tho its good for you but i think i rushed my quitting has i did first time i was told i have COPD (stage3) like you i cough less but the breathlessness is there no matter what exercise is difficult has it could cause my seizures so have to be extra careful and would love a cig but my eldest grandkids blackmail and thats my incentive not to 
    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 jackie25605

      Posted

      Hi ,just stop ,,,,if you want to spend QUALITY time with your family ,

      if you carry on smoking you will be the person sitting in the corner with an oxygen mask on ,,,,while everyone else is laughing and having fun .

    • julia14760
      julia14760 Nanny1086

      Posted

      Hi Nanny, what you say is so so true, I was diagnosed 10+ years ago and didn't stop smoking straight away stupidly thinking I'd be ok as I felt fine. Only now I'm the one sitting in the corner on oxygen while everyone has a great time, I don't go to family celebrations now because I feel such a hindrance, I can't do anything with my beautiful grandchildren , I have to be in a wheelchair when I go out which I hate with a passion. So please anyone with this awful disease STOP smoking NOW.  Warm regards to you all, Julia
    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 julia14760

      Posted

      Hi Julia ,I do hope you didn't take offence about my comments,but that was the thought that spured me on ,and still does ,I am looked after by ( hubby ) and a wonderful team of copd nurse specialists, who have now become friends, I'm lucky,,,,, I'm here ,,,,and touch wood after a shocking year last year I'm making good progress and hope to do a sponsered walk for the British lung foundation later this year .

      and because I stopped smoking ,and because I've worked so dam hard at the gym I'm able to do a lot of things ,,,,that if I'd continued smoking ,,,,I wouldn't be able To,,,,,,,like ,,,,,I've just had a phone call from my daughter an hour ago ,asking me if I would like to go with her and my grandaughter to see dirty dancing in birmingham in May ,,,,,of course I said yes ,I'm so looking forward to it ,

      I wish you well and enjoyment in all the things that you can do ,

      god bless ,Georgina, 

    • julia14760
      julia14760 Nanny1086

      Posted

      Hi Nanny, no of I course I didnt take offence, just the opposite I agree with everything you said. I get so angry with myself because I know my condition is my fault alone. If I'd stopped smoking earlier I may have had a better quality of life instead of just existing. I used to be so house proud now I can't do anything, washing a few cups is the best I can do and even that small thing leaves me extremely breathless. Enjoy your trip out with your family and I hope your future stays bright. X
    • jude65855
      jude65855 julia14760

      Posted

      Hey Julia, with COPD we need to conserve our energy:  don't waste it being angry with yourself for smoking in the past!  And it's not "your fault alone" - how about those tobacco companies who got us all addicted to their deadly product?

      I know it's hard, but can you focus on what you can still do and not on what you can't do any more?

    • Nanny1086
      Nanny1086 jude65855

      Posted

      So true ,,,,I had my first cigarette at age 15 ,and my first wage packet I bought myself a new handbag ,,,one that I had chosen for myself ,,,not one of sisters or my mothers,,,,,but I had very little to put in it ,,,I had a handkerchief ,a purse,a lipstick ,,,,and that was it ,,,,so,,,,very stupidly I bought a packet of cigarettes and a box of matches,,,,,that was it ,,,,how stupid was I ,I've done some daft things over the years ,,,,,but deeply regret buying that bloody bag ,,,( forgive the language ) 

      now I spend my time working dam hard at the gym to keep well ,,,,and glad I no longer need for a HANDBAG , 

      So don't look back ,,,there's nothing there,,,,,look forward and enjoy what we've got and who we have got in outer lives ,good luck ,and very best wishes, and good health 

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