stopping smoking

[alvorite]

I've an appointment for nicotine patches on Sunday (it's friday). I have COPD but after reading that my breathing will probably get worse when I've stopped smoking I am now petrified and confused as of what to do ???

[docmel]

Either way your breathing will get worse. I quit smoking by vaping....the worse part of it was the clearing of the lungs the worst of it done and over with in the first 3 weeks. I had the same fear had read the same things, but I used to have this wheeze that bothered me so much I would cough and cough to try and clear it but never did. It is gone! I will never ever go back to smoking...good luck.

[dwrgi3]

I stopped smoking twenty years ago using nicotine patches and know that had I not stopped I, like many of my close friends, would be dead. Yes, it is is hard for a couple of weeks but well worth it as opposed to an ever worsening quality of life and premature death.

[Tetrazzini]

Please believe me - you must stop. The process is not easy and you will feel pretty bad for a few months but it is worth it - it is the only way to go. Your breathing will improve and you will live longer.

Good luck.

[ditowler]

I was diagnosed 2 years ago with copd. I have up smoking straight away and within 2 days my breathing got worse, the first thing I did was have a smoke and it felt better. I told my Dr and he gave me Omnibreeze to take in the evening to iron out the problem. I struggled with the smoking and still do.

Feeling ok now though.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to ditowler]

It is real hardbto quit for some people more than others. I am like you and its a daily battle but mainly mental. Plus like you say it's the first weeks of not feeling too good that puts people off. Whichever way you look at it, stopping is aMUST. As long as we try our best to quit,surely we will get there in the end ? Good luck.

[diesel12]

I stopped over 2 years ago by using an ecig. I still use it and the docs are happy with that. For me it was a mental thing. Panic if I thought I was stopping smoking but this was I told myself I wasn't stopping, just smoking something different. You soon get used to it and I didn't feel deprived.

I coughed a lot more after I stopped but the pharmacist said it's because the chemicals in tobacco paralyse the nodules and stuff in you throat and tubes suddenly come back to life and are super sensitive to anything. Once they learn what is dangerous and what isn't, they settle down again and the cough stops (it did for me). Stick with it, try different methods if you need to, but above all remember it's the ciggies that mainly cause copd and get them out of your life x

[y_not]

I stopped smoking (Nov 2011) three months BEFORE I was diagnosed with COPD (Jan 2012). I remember how bad I felt, shakes, night sweats, breathing problems etc. I expected them but never expected them going on for weeks and showing no signs of getting better!

The diagnosis was a Godsend! I hadn't got cancer, so everything was good (in my naivety I really thought that!). Oddly, throughout the three months I never considered starting again, even though I clearly connected the issues to the smoking.

I'm sure, for a few weeks you will have issues as your lungs adjust to a smoke free oxygen supply but, alvorite, this is so worth the price of feeling rough for a few weeks. I was never really scared by the thought of dying from smoking but they never warned me about the consequences of living with the effects.

A few weeks of hassle followed by the rest of your life (which you'll be extending by stopping smoking) with lungs that, whilst damaged, are in a fairly good condition has to be better than avoiding a few weeks problems now to be seriously ill with COPD in a couple of years time? It's a no-brainer to me.

Stopping is the best possible thing to do -- I wish you success, an "easy-ride" (which I also had) in stopping and the ability to fill your lungs with fresh air for many, many years to come!

Oh, and it's great for your pocket as well!

[vere]

Giving up smoking is so hard although I found it gave me up because I coughed and spluttered every time I inhaled. I don't remember feeling worse now but that was over twenty years ago. All I know is that I am sure I am better for it and the cost now is unbelievable. I do wish you great luck with whatever you choose to do.

[btown]

It is difficult there is no getting away from that, but you really must bite the bullet and give up, I used a e cig vape and believe me it makes it quite easy, as long as you are in the right frame of mind and want to give up, it's a very rewarding feeling, not just the health reasons, but you won't smell of smoke, your taste buds revive and after the initial clearing of the gunk out of your system you will be able to cope with your COPD.

Sorry if I sound a little blunt, but I have been through this and know the benefits.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[piping]

alvorite...I was a 30 smoker,57 yo, diagnosed with COPD 3 years ago.I know some people will disagree but after trying patches,hypnotherapy nicotine puffers I went o n to the controversial "Champix"..for me they worked like a dream with NO side effects.Would not hesitate to recommend them under a GP's supervision.

[Covenham]

I gave up 11 years ago and I honestly do not remember having any problems with my breathing. My father, who was in his late 70's and had COPD when he gave up, didn't experience worsening breathing problems. I think this might be an individual thing so, try not to worry too much, as that will only make the matter worse for you.

Good Luck with stopping smoking, you'll be so proud of what you've done. Be patient and go easy on yourself 😊

[carpenter60]

I don't think your breathing gets worse when you stop smoking , I think you just find out what your breathing is really like and not being disguised by cigarettes . Try not to be scared or confused if you can stop [and you will] you will be free of a terrible poison that hides in the smoke . I have been stopped now for fourteen months after forty a day for over forty years . I cant hang as many doors or fit as many roofs as I used to . but im going to do all I can to keep going for a long time . Give it your best shot and maybe it will be you writing this sort of thing in years to come to try and help someone else . all the best allen .

[Suze4212]

Your breathing may or may not get worse when you give up smoking but it will, without a shadow of a doubt, get worse if you do not give up smoking.

[winebuff]

Please,please stop smoking, it really is a coffin nail for people with COPD. I have been where you are going and believe me you have to stop.

I was diagnosed 16 years ago and I am convinced that if I had carried on I Would be dead now.

So please stop, I don't know where you heard that it would make your breathing worse but its hogwash

Good luck

[Hidden]

Hi from what I have heard it is possible your breathing will get worse for a while and you will get more infections. Cigarettes have a suphoric effect on the lungs and to some extent block bacteria from going to your lungs. You might end up with a slightly worse lung function than before.

But while in the short term it can be hard (not necessarily for everyone), if you don't stop you run the risk of your copd accelerating much more quickly in the long term.

There is a quit smoking site under HU and they are very good and can offer lots of help and support. Good luck with it. x

[Mandy6513]

I used the ecigs to stop smoking its the only thing that worked for me and my breathing didn't get worse although i know many people do experience that.

I feel better now than i ever have and just about to get back on the road and get a car so keep positive the more you do to help your lungs the better x

[aberdeenman in reply to Mandy6513]

Oh dear mandy is getting a car I'm heading up the mountains pmsl

[Mandy6513 in reply to aberdeenman]

You wont be able to breathe up a mountain the air is too thin

[oulpete]

By way of encouragement, I was a smoker for 60 years until last June when my lungs just couldn't take anymore so I just HAD to stop! I also have COPD surprise, surprise but my breathing has improved dramatically. For the first few weeks you will really bad getting rid of the phlegm but eventually things will get much better. My Doctor asked me " did I want to end up sitting in the corner not able to do anything" so obviously that didn't appeal so I quit the coffin nails, good luck, try really hard to knock them on the head.

[Dragonmum]

I was a pack a day smoker for 60 years and tried everything up to and including hypnosis; clean for 2 years but fell off the wagon, tried again and managed 1 year. Six years ago got an e-cig and switched overnight; never smoked since and never will. I had no breathing problems at all giving up though I know some people do for a couple of weeks. My COPD and Asthma meds have been cut by around 80% and have to say I enjoy vaping far more than smoking. I wish you luck because I know from experience how hard it is. Please, whatever method you use, ditch the ciggies - it's the tar that will make your condition worse not the nicotine. There is no tar in an e-cig.

[gw58]

Hi, I was diagnosed with copd about 3 years ago and after a couple of attempts, I gave up in June last year using Champix. If you quit it will slow down the progression of the disease dramatically and I am pretty sure it hasn't made my breathing worse and I certainly don't cough as much. Good luck x

[Stuval]

Speak to your GP and ask to be prescribed with Xyban, this is not suitable for everyone but it worked for me 8 years ago. No craving !

[Jeanielee1]

Don't be scared it MIGHT get worse for a while until you get all the gunk off your lungs but you will start to improve but what is for sure if you don't give up you will deteriorate Good Luck

[carolgower]

When I stopped smoking was so much better. and it slows down the progression of the disease if you don't smoke.

[violet1]

I have copd and my doc gave me champpix and I vape I didn't cough wher I gave up 5 weeks ago I feel so much better in myself . I still miss my cigs when I'm stressed but I get over it by getting up and doin something. I'm hopeing to keepin up I'm proud of myself and so glad I don't stink of cigs anymore .

[annie-lin]

the good news is that within a few months you are very likely to find your breathing much improved - but in the short term, you need to be kind to your body which is trying to adjust to a cigarette-free life.

What is usually offered to help people adjust is some kind of nicotine substitute (eg the patches); what is less often offered are alternatives for the ways smoking builds stress-reducing tools into our day:

a) being a smoker, even on a busy day, you tend to take regular breaks (for a cigarette), - which will often entail going outside for 5-10minutes. This can become the way we process difficult things - a way to think about an issue, with the belief that a cigarette will help us think clearer.

Whereas it is more likely to be the effect of just taking a few minutes break which help us think clearer. So finding another way to build in regular 'cigarette-free' breaks through the day can help reduce stress -

b) while smoking, most of us tend to slow down our breathing to 'get the benefit' of the cigarette contents. What happens when we stop smoking, is that we are no longer practising these regular 'exercises' of slow relaxed breathing, and it is often this loss which triggers an apparent distortion of breathing - and for some people more tendency to 'over-breathe'. So, remembering that nice feeling of 'slowly gently breathing out' (that accompanied smoking) can be helpful. Some (gentle) yoga classes, or mindfulness classes can be good for learning particular breathing exercises - but if that seems hard to take on, then again just building into your day times of awareness of allowing your breath to be quieter, gentler, slower, lower in the chest, and with lips closed is likely to be helpful.

c) another reason that people may be warned of 'feeling worse before you feel better' is that the body will experience stopping smoking as big change, and there can a kind of 'clearing reaction' as it adjusts - eg. maybe feels there is more mucus to clear. Again it is likely to be the general 'being kind to yourself' measures - good diet, enough water, enough sleep - which can help, and the belief that in the long run, it is well worth giving this chance to your body to be a healthier one.

Good luck with your stop-smoking.

[rubyred777 in reply to annie-lin]

That makes alot of sense what you said. (b) Smoking is like doing breathing exercises. I never thought of it that way. Makes good sense! Rubyxx 😊

[FarmerD]

Relax Alvorite,first off if do not have a cigarette what will happen? The answer to that is nothing at all will happen.I started smoking when I was nine years old,I will be sixty next month and stopped smoking three years ago.I used the patches,I was,not sure if the were working because it,s impossible to tell.I am an alcoholic and have been addicted to various drugs both legal and otherwise.Nicotine is a very subtle drug,it works on particular receptors in the brain.It took two months for me to break the habit,habit being a big part of it.I also used the plastic pretend ciggy.Of course your own will power plays a massive part in stopping anything,so be strong.Once you realise continuing to smoke will make your breathing a lot worse very quickly you will see you must stop and when you have decided to stop you will.Because the fag companies want you to keep buying their nasty products they have filled them with painkillers and all sorts to make it difficult to kick the habit.As these other things wear off it can be uncomfortable but that does,nt last long.Make sure you know some breathing exercises you can use if you feel a bit breathless,plenty on YouTube, and ask to be referred to pulmonary rehab which is great for information on all things Copd related as well as light exercise.Just remember ,if you never have another cigarette it will not kill you,if you do it just might.Best of luck and be strong.D.

[alvorite in reply to FarmerD]

Farmer D ???? lol thanks for your honesty. ..I ave been smoking heroin for 22yrs can't give that up but if I can give up the cigs it mite give me confidence to give up the brown....I'm on day one with patches and nicorette spray for instant nicotine hit but not used it yet....I'm on a high that I've got to 4pm without a cig lol....i'll let u know how I get on...I'm 52 and smoked since I was 15....Speak soon ☺

[FarmerD in reply to alvorite]

Sounds like your doing it right,be proud of yourself.Little victories will win the day.I was injecting morphine at twenty years old,saw some mates die and others start house breaking and stuff and thought nah this is not for me.Managed to kick it .So it can be done .Once you stop the fags it,ll be easier to kick the smack.It,s the tar caused by smoking that does the most damage.My last year of smoking it was only weed,no fags but of course weed has even more tar so that had to go too.It is good not to be dependent on stuff.Now if I can just kick my ginger beer habit I might lose some weight lol.Good luck!D.

[Cowbaybc]

Sounds like the little nic stick is trying to play tricks with you, you must quit smoking you will feel worse before you feel better. I quit when I got my emphysema diagnoses, I vaped to quit and still do, I'm down to 3 mg of nicotine it's been 2 years. To be completely honest it really took about 8-10 months before I felt better, lungs clearer, breathing easier able to do more physical things. The first few months I kept thinking when am I going to feel better, you do feel slightly better...but it gets even better. Good luck to you,stop smoking!!!

[FredM8]

Give up !

You may have some problems to start with as all the gunk in your tubes loosens and then clears, but it most certainly is worth it. I used nicotine patches and did not find it difficult !!

It is a common failing in human nature to key up anything in the mind that is different as wrong or difficult. It is certainly a different life style, that will be your main hurdle as the patches will be providing your "Fix". My own choice was the strong 24 hour release patches worn on my arm or my shoulder, and then gradually moved down in strength. I did not want Gum or anything else as I wanted to have no hand to mouth association at all. It is a good idea to clean your skin with cologne/aftershave to permit the patch to stick and allow the transference of nicotine. When you feel a craving, ask yourself this question.......

Am I really busting for a fag, or am I just feeling more alive !?!?

Example .......

Years ago in my late twenties I could row 5 lengths of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London in 50 minutes. In those days the boats were the heavy wooden ones not the lightweight plastic or fibreglass that we have today. Now, that 50 minutes included stopping to have a fag half way through my rowing session as the exercise was giving me a feel good buzz and my lungs were rejoicing at the sudden intake of oxygen. The point being that I interpreted these strange sensations as me craving another smoke !!

Watch out for that sort of thing.

Good luck !!!

[frank65]

do not belive all the scare stories . when i first started i could not walk 10 feet and now i have no problems get about un der my own power remember we are all different i stopped over ten tears ago and i will never go back .

[alvorite]

Thank you frank..I'm not going to listen to the stories as I know everyone is different, it was just when I first read that my breathing could worsen to start with, well it freaked me out but I'm giving it a go 😊😊😊