am feeling very depressed ATM, is this normal, only been diagnosed with COPD for a week, and only stopped smoking for a week,

[minimark2]

[Hidden]

Yes it is normal - not only have you to adjust to your diagnosis you also have to deal with stopping smoking! BRILLIANT !! The first and most important step to halting the progress of Copd. Be kind to yourself and be proud - you have taken control! Perhaps you could ring the helpline in the morning - click on the red balloon - and ask for some of their fantastic leaflets and the might be able to give you some practical advise. Good luck! Lots of love TAD xx

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Sorry you're feeling depressed but you should be proud of yourself for giving up the fags. You have helped your COPD no end. Well done !

[Offcut]

I second that, it is onwards and upwards from now on.

A

Be Well

[diggerruth]

Hi minimark2, I don't post much on her but felt I need to let you know that I also stopped smoking when I was diagnoised with COPD six years ago. I too felt depressed and put this down to stopping smoking. Thankfully the depression did not last too long and I have never looked back, best decision I have ever made, still got COPD but hey it could be worse if I had continued to smoke. I wish you the best of luck and you can be sure of support from this lovely group of people! x June

[peege]

Bravo mini mark for stopping the cigs. I hope the low feelings won't stay too long. Keep coming on here for support.

Be proud, very proud

[Suzy6]

Well done minimark. One hill climbed. Depression seems to be part of this COPD. I get very depressed, short tempered and often feel why bother to go on. I frighten myself sometimes with my black thoughts but there is always something worth fighting for. I set myself little tasks and challenges and when I achieve them I'm happy happy happy. Keep up the no smoking.

[mustcarryon]

Well done for stopping smoking, that is your biggest enemy for COPD. You are going through the normal phase of diagnosis for your condition , and it's definitely normal for you to feel like this when you stop smoking. It was 7 years ago when I was diagnosed, the consultant told me "you will die if you don't stop" I have not had a smoke since. I'm glad he was so direct with me. Good luck, and keep up the good work. xxx

[peege]

I was just having sad thought after reading Poem's poem.

It's not really surprising you should feel low, losing the cigs, diagnosis to change your life, it must be akin to a grieving process involving degrees of anger, denial, depression, acceptance - not necessarily in that order.

All the best xxx

[lynisa48]

Hi Minimarts, I was diagnosed three weeks ago and waiting to see consultant, as a none smoker the shock sent me into a panic attack and ended up in A & E thought I only had a few years left, but after coming on here I feel a whole lot better, it's normal to feel depressed when you get news that tells you you have a condition that is going to get worse, but ask questions and the more answers you get the more you will understand and feel less anxious, good luck and well done for giving up the cigs

[majestictime in reply to lynisa48]

I gave up smoking a year next month,which is the best thing you can do to halt the onslaught of COPD

Being a lifetime smoker,the first month was the worst,with the help of E-Cigarettes and later refillable ones,I have to say the withdrawal symptoms really wasn't that bad.I used to mistakenly think,whatever happened to me in my life,I always had my friends in a packet,nestling in my pocket,to make me feel better, available 24 hours a day,it's taken me 2 thirds of my life to realize,they were not friends,but the most subversive destructive enemy ever,who have done their best to kill me.

I know this now,and I also know having been given 3 years to live (I am still here almost 5 years later) don't ever ask a Doctor:"how long have I got left" ? if you want to sleep at night. Now I know I will never smoke again,I have unloaded my false friends,and consigned them to the ash tray,it's such a good feeling to be able to go out,without loading up pockets with lighter,cigarettes,Tobacco,papers, tips,my biggest shock was every day I smoked was a day quicker I would be leaving my loved ones,every day I didn't smoke was another day with my loved ones! and a day without false friends,you have to stop smoking at your own pace,I ignored people who berated me for smoking for years,and I didn't listen,i'm paying the price now,but I will not add to that,by giving in to a self inflicted addiction.

So my main message is: I'm no hero,and when it comes to will power,I was in the wrong que, so if I can do it, i'm sure you can, The medical profession are agreed the best thing you can do to help yourself by slowing down COPD,is to stop smoking,and the physical exercising,and breathing exercises will be all the more worthwhile!...... Good Luck.

[salis]

Your poor body is in shock, No cigs, wow! good for you. It's a hard road to go but it does get a little better each day. Don't give up!!

[katieoxo60]

Well done minimark2, it is not easy to just stop smoking like that. Not ashamed to admit it took me three tries but I have been a none smoker now for nine years. Saw an article just this week saying pick up the knitting not the fags and its true try to find something else to distract your mind especially in the early days. Depression is part and parcel of COPD come on here and chat if it helps.

[patty17]

I think it is part of the process of learning to cope with COP D and stopping smoking. It is a kind of grieving for loss of health and giving up something we used to rely on to help us feel better. I gave up 4 years ago and felt quite low but I'm glad I did because I know I would be even more I'll now. It takes time to feel more positive about life but with the support of people on this site I hope you will soon feel better. Well done on stopping congratulate yourself on doing something positive and healthy.