Getting copd after years of quitting - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,329 members66,959 posts

Getting copd after years of quitting

Courtney63 profile image
22 Replies

Y do people get copd after years of giving up smoking.

Has anyone ever managed to reverse there Copd ?

Written by
Courtney63 profile image
Courtney63
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
22 Replies
dwitt profile image
dwitt

I have COPD. It destroys parts of the lungs. At best you can keep the rest of the lungs from going bad and perhaps becoming more efficient. Considering that I smoke for so many years I have nothing more to say. Maybe someone else will say stem cells but at age 69 I doubt I'll be first on that list.

Courtney63 profile image
Courtney63 in reply todwitt

How old was u when u got it . How many years did u smoke for

dwitt profile image
dwitt in reply toCourtney63

I started smoking at 16. I was the Marlboro man. Near the end I smoke 2-3 packs a day. I stop 2/8/00. 37 years was enough gagging and coughing for me. I've been 15 years cigarette free, but have been diagnosis with COPD 10 years ago. I use Spiriva and Advair 250/50. I haven't needed inhalers. My lungs haven't gotten worst and I am told my disease is moderate.

Courtney63 profile image
Courtney63 in reply todwitt

Moderate. So quite lucky in way then. Well I'm glad your doing OK. Bet cigarettes was stronger back then.

dwitt profile image
dwitt in reply toCourtney63

They were filtered. I would not try another today to confirm strength.

Courtney63 profile image
Courtney63 in reply todwitt

I'm trying give up.smoke way to much for my age

dwitt profile image
dwitt

You had it all along. Some people don't get. Those that get it, have it show up years later. What cigarette did it? Some diseases have stages. Now I am not a doctor or a scientist, but things are like a suntan. You don't feel the bun until later after you get home. Some people don't burn they just tan. Best stay out of the strong sun or in our case should have never smoked.

Courtney63 profile image
Courtney63

True

Joliemsa59 profile image
Joliemsa59

I gave up ten years ago and only now have I been diagnosed with second stage COPD! I suffered badly with my breathing as a child, maybe undiagnosed asthma , but had to smoke, foolish girl! Think it comes back to bite everyone on the bum eventually!

Courtney63 profile image
Courtney63 in reply toJoliemsa59

I'm trying to give up and does worry me.

seyre profile image
seyre

Going to pulmonary rehab is the best thing to do, they will show you exercises and explain the problems with copd. They can not cure what is already there but can show you how to make the best of what you have got. Susie

diesel12 profile image
diesel12

I'm moderate too, heavy smoker for years but hey ho! whats done is done. Just keep yourself as fit as you can and eat those veggies :) xxx

sanbie profile image
sanbie

Cannabis Oil...I have been on it now for about 1 month and already I cannot get over the amount of deep breaths I can now take...I actually went walking through our major shopping mall...and it wasn't until I got back into the car that I realised I was hardly puffing...

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47 in reply tosanbie

How can I get hold of some please?

Greatbanks profile image
Greatbanks in reply tohallentine47

Yes is it available ?

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

I smoked moderately 16 years, gave up 31 years ago; was diagnosed with moderate COPD last year; results show I haven't got any worse since December 2014. Probable cause on top of smoking, was passive smoking by a partner who gave up with me but then started smoking again, and using coal fired stoves and coal fires to heat my house as we were way out in the country with no gas and only intermittent electricity, and not enough money to fill an oil tank regularly.

Mandy6513 profile image
Mandy6513

The first thing my consultant said to me after i was diagnosed was " lets see how much we can reverse this "

Unfortunately i didnt get the care i needed from my GP so was already very severe and wasnt lucky enough to improve my lung health but, i have managed to stay the same so no deterioration so far.

Many members on here have done amazing

Have a read of Megans post....Im not sure if she was a smoker but your question about reversing this can offer you some hope

healthunlocked.com/blf/post.....

Greatbanks profile image
Greatbanks

I have COPD just told now diabetes give me a break lol , waiting to see diabetic nurse guess need lose weight yet don't eat much ? Pills steroids not help and that middle aged spread age ! Find it difficult to exercise walking distance is dire vicious circle

Greatbanks profile image
Greatbanks

I don't think you can reverse the damage once done sorry I wish we could ! There was article about procedure where they burn some of your lobes under anestectic it was new in early stages of being used was on FB , it said some who had procedure found no medication afterwards was needed , I'd take chance on that be Guinea pig if had the chance

JP1954 profile image
JP1954

As far as I am aware there is no reversibility. The damage is done, so to speak. The next thing is to keep it at the predicted level you are at and for it not to progress anymore than the "normal" aging process that happens with fev1.

Stop smoking is the first thing. Normal bmi, eat healthily, keep away from colds and pollutants, second hand smoke, exercise everyday. Have a flu vaccine every year and ensure you get your pneumonia vaccine.

Also keep busy, don't ponder on what ifs. It's done, past, you can't turn back the clock. This site is great as people have expertise on their conditions. My husband has copd and I had no where to turn for information. This site and the people are absolutely wonderful. I can't sing their praises enough.

Best regards

JP.

Shocked1 profile image
Shocked1

I got diagnosed November 2014 gave up smoking December 2014 FEV1 57% then November 2015 I had a full lung function test at the hospital as my breathing was getting worse my FEV1 was 55%. I had a spirometry test on the 04/08/2016 FEV1 71% I was over the moon. Walking really does work in fact ANYTHING that makes you breathless works the lungs as I tend to shallow breathe. I started taking cannabis oil in February maybe a coincidence that I feel so great but I don't think so. I hardly take ANY pharmaceutical medication now. I eat healthy go gym not as much as I should. I downloaded a walking app. That helps. So yes you can increase your stamina and lung function not sure about reversal. Join Treating COPD with cannabis oil on Facebook loads of info there. With good positive helpful people there. Hope this helps. 💕💕💕

Kristicats profile image
Kristicats in reply toShocked1

Well done what a positive story will look into it.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

14 years of COPD and still going.

Many posts from people just diagnosed with COPD and are obviously worried. Well it is a life...
Lance47 profile image

Getting COPD diagnosed

I'm new to the forum - hello! Interested in the postings - Wondering how to get a definitive...
ncsgcd profile image

Stages of COPD how many years in between stages ?

Hello everyone, I was diagnosed with COPD in February 2011 after having been diagnosed with asthma...
Snoopy1968 profile image

COPD getting worse

My COPD is getting really bad, it's as much as I can do to get up of the kitchen chair and walk the...
roger1952 profile image

copd getting along

diagnosed with copd 5 years ago and as is usual getting steadily worse. Had a bonus 4 years ago as...
blueferret profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.