BACK IN 92' I HAD THIS BEAT, WENT BACK TO SMOKING. .NOW...

[jimmyr]

BACK IN 92" I PUT THE PATCH ON. BEAT SMOKING FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE. I WAS 32 YRS OLD, HAD SMOKED FOR 18 YRS. I WAS SO PROUD...GOING AROUND WORK B RAGGING " LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE LIKE BREATHE" I WOULD SAY. FOR 15 MTHS ...THEN DEC OF 99 TO SEPT 2000 9 MORE MONTHS ...DEC 2000 THRU APR 01' LITTLE THINGS REMEMBER 5 MORE MONTHS...IN FEB 2009 I HAD A. COPD EXCERBATION MY 1ST ...WHAT STARTLED ME WAS I COULDNT SPEAK FOR NO AIR WAS GOING TOY LUNGS...I PANICKED..DIDNT EVEN KNOW IHAD ANYTHING BUT BRONCHITIS...IF MY ASTHMATIC WIFE DIDNT TEACH ME HOW TO BREATHE THAT DAY FEB 23RD 2009 I THINK I WOULDVE DIED...SHE SAYS I WOULDVE JUST PASSED OUT...ANYWAY...SHE HAS HELPED ME THRU THE HARD TIMES AND THANK GOD FOR THAT. HOW TO SLOW MY BREATHING DOWN AS HARD AS IT MAY BE. DONT PANICK. I KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW AND TO THINK SHE GREW UP WHEN THERE WERE NO INHALORS, JUST HER MOTHER HOLDING HER AND BRUSHING HER LONG LOCKS SAYING IT WILL BE ALRIGHT !

[jimmyr]

There were ample chances to put this away ....and get out of harms way.. but i let the chances go and now i suffer and say "what if" those decisions we make...cant go back and feel sorry must move forward... but what i would give to walk to a football game and.into the game itself and watch it with a friend..or go to a baseball game wth my wife

[Hidden]

Hiya Jimmy,I have had numerous exacerbations,they are very frightening and I know how you must of felt..Your wife is right,when this happens try not to over breathe,drop shoulders and try and slow your breathing down.Its hard and scary,but it works..As a child I used to watch my father gasping for air,and like you said there was no inhalers then.I can't imagine how they felt.

Regards Laura.....

[jimmyr in reply to Hidden]

Laura thnx, it is hard to drop the shoulders ...but w/o her where am i ? Mustve been hard to watch dad ...how did they do it ? Ive quit smoking ...day 5...feel improvement already...ok hun keep in touch..ok

[Hidden in reply to jimmyr]

Firstly well done on giving up the fags!! I know its hard,but when those shoulders are up your more stressed..Try and slow that breathing down,in for six out for 12,(count in your head) bloody hard I know ,but it works! I smoked from 11yrs of age,I never thought I could give up ,but I did, many moons ago and I am having a new lung soon..

Exercise as much as you can in moderation,definitely dont smoke,as your illness will progress.I never thought it would happen to me,now I have it all due to Emphysema depression,anxiety,oedema,exacerbations,short of breathe constantly..

I am not trying to scare you,just advise,and listen to your wife,she has asthma,We are all under the same umbrella when we can't breathe hun.when my breathing starts going down, I hum in my head,while getting my nebs ready,I breathe slow,regular and think of something happy..Try it sweetie it helps..Take care and keep calm x

[jimmyr in reply to Hidden]

Porsche hun ...u r a godsend to me right about now and i want to thnk u from the bottom of my heart..but did u say u were recving a new lung ? Omg is that wonderful or no ? Talk to me hun, infection ? Yes /No rejection ? May i also ask u a more personal queston since were around the same age...how is your love life ? Cz my poor Stephanie...we havent had a sex life in 4-5 yrs. ..can i get it back with more mental edge on it, although i need help im attimes even though i mai.tain a job as a eye care tech... i feel like the lonliest man in america...no friends no where to go....depression is my. Cryponite.... but sweetie i love your photo...u brighten up my day... ureally do....knowing there is a youout there makes me feel good in a strange way cz i just look forward to heari.gfom u hun enjoy ur friday...im 5 hra behind u sweetiet

[Hidden in reply to jimmyr]

Hey Jimmy,Here for you anytime hun,Love life can suffer a bit bless,due to shortness of breathe,but we are all in the same boat and we must keep paddling lol...Depression is a buggar,I too have a problem regarding it and here to chat any time sweetie...Take care Laura x

[mwalker23 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Porche - you are getting a new Lung! Fantastic, please let us know when this is happening so we can give you support. I am so happy for you.x

[Hidden in reply to mwalker23]

Thank you MWalker,I am having assessment in October regarding,lung reduction or lung transplant..Hello by the way xx

[mwalker23 in reply to Hidden]

Hello porche, thank you for your reply and good luck . X

[Hidden in reply to mwalker23]

Thanks hun x

[breathless]

JimmyR yes I have worked with a similar technique. Yes we tend to create a panic attack where our breathing gets way out of hand. In fact I have been informed a large percent of people being admitted into hospital because of Panic atacks yes myself being one. I then studied a self Management program where I would do a breathing exercise. Yes in through your nose filling your lungs as much as possible. Then steadily breath out through pursed lips, yes taking longer to breath out. When feeling a little more comfortable with that exercise then start thinking of something beautiful yes an experience in your life, myself I go on walk in my mind however now I have a CD I concentrate on my breathing then turn the CD player on and I get lost in the beautiful walk Before getting involved with that Jimmyr I would get admitted into our hospital on average 5 times a year. In 8 years only once and that was when they rushed me in having a stroke. After 3 days my diagnosis was Bells palsy. Yes my friend its all about Self Management. On the top of all that I have managed to halt the progress of the COPD part of my lung disease. Bless you.

[jimmyr in reply to breathless]

And god bless u also my friend, tell ya across the pond the brits r some kind n wonderful ppl

[jimmyr in reply to breathless]

It truly is my friend about self management...and those ever ringing words "what if"n

[jenss in reply to jimmyr]

Hi Jimmyr I am sorry to hear about your struggles. Congratulations on giving up the cigs,,,, well done and keep it up. Try to do a little bit of exercise each day, each day a little more. Some people find it useful to practise breathing against pressure (also helps clearing mucous from lungs) to help build up muscles/stamina for deep breathing: gosh.nhs.uk/medical-informa.... Device easy to make and may be worth a try to strengthen your breathing and clear lungs. Come onto this site anytime for someone to talk to/advice. Take care and I wish you all the bestxxx... and all the best to Stephanie too....