Help

[lurchers]

I've been given up smoking 11 months and have copd but I feel short of breath doing anything I never had this problem when I smoked can anyone help

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I gave up four years ago and my breathing got worse, don't know why.😊 xx

[madametobacco49]

Hi Lurchers,See a cardio Dr -I have congestive heart failure--which means my heart is damaged and cannot beat well enough to oxygenate my body --that gives me air hunger--I never thought of heart--Just my lungs--but heart is just as easily damaged as lungs --I hope you are fine but put your mind at rest--I was sob for 6 months before I really did anything--I thought it would go away--It just got worse--Hugs Mmet I also have lung conditions too(Mild)--heart one found first and the one that is the worst--The other thing is maybe you should get meds checked--It may be that simple...Just do see a Dr MmeT

[lurchers in reply to madametobacco49]

Had heart attack 4 years ago was fine until got bad chest infection 4 months ago

[madametobacco49]

Hi again--You probably know about heart far more than I do then--we have some kind of flu type stuff that lasts 3 or 4 mos here in US--so maybe that chest thing is hangin on--I hope you get it checked out--Let me know how you do--MmeT

[lurchers in reply to madametobacco49]

Hi I work has a cleaner in schools I picked up infection cleared up after a month but was sent back to work at the same school they had a flu epidemic going on so after a week I was ill again I'm now back at work

[madametobacco49 in reply to lurchers]

hows the breathing? MmeT

[Hidden]

this has been ask before some time ago. it was said that it was something to do with what was put into cigarettes. i cant remember what it was. and i also read the same in one of the of thousands articals i read on the internet.

what ever you do..dont be tempted to smoke again.

[Nottobad]

I think because smoking surpresses things and only shows up when you stop. I wouldnt go back to smoking. Stopping will slow down the progression. What stage are you at. I an stage 2 moderate I was dx in 2006 and only stopped smoking 2 years ago. But still get breathless when doing things. But it dosnt stop me doing things.

[Lowriekat]

i am wondering myself what to do, at the moment I am still smoking but am unsure weather to stop or not,. My Mam died of emphysema at 64 she lasted two years after stopping smoking, my Dad who died at 78 and never stopped even though he had COPD his specialist told him not to stop as it would be worse for him, my twin sisters have both stopped smoking one has been inundated with chest infections the other has a bad chest but has Never stopped coughing for ages even though she stopped 10 yrs ago, So I am thinking do I want to stop and be like they are or do I continue ?

[shadow4me in reply to Lowriekat]

You know I still smoke I want to stop but everyone I know seems to get worse so I'm scared x

[Annie31 in reply to shadow4me]

Hi, I've read lots of postings over the last couple of months but first time commenting as this is one subject I feel quite qualified to talk about being an ex-smoker but no way a reformed smoker! Each to their own I say! Feeling worse healthwise upon quitting is an illusion - initially yes you suffer from the withdrawal symptoms which can be quite horrible but as those fade and time goes by and you begin to suffer from other symptoms that you may not have previously had, your brain starts to fool you into thinking that not smoking was doing more harm than good. This is not so as it is a fact that smoking masks the symptoms of underlying illnesses and disorders that are and probably have been there for sometime. Quitting brings these illnesses to light. I, family members and friends who have quit have all felt the same and blamed quitting for feeling poorly. My first time of quitting lasted for almost three long miserable years where I and my sister-in-law both longed for a cigarette - we were convinced that having a smoke would open up the airways to breathe better because that was how we felt - it was the only way I felt able to describe the feeling. I had that cigarette and I did feel better and it did clear my chest. What I didn't know at that time was that cigarette manufacturers in recent years had started adding a secret ingredient into the mix, it was something that would act like a bronchodilator and that was how people were conned into thinking they felt better and healthier whilst smoking. A very crafty move but you have to admit a genious one!

I smoked then for another few months and developed the good old smokers cough, realized I didn't feel so good and then quit again. This time around I really read up on this subject and educated myself on the whys and wherefores of quitting and what to expect or not! I was gobsmacked at how ignorant I was of the facts first time around. I have now been an ex smoker again for seventeen months and have no intention of ever starting again. It took about five months to rid myself of the cough and really glad to see the back of that! I have done what is right for me but wouldn't dream of enforcing non smoking views on others - if I've learned anything out of all my experience of being a long-term smoker is that you have to be absolutely sure you want to quit, in other words you have to be ready, nothing less will work.

I really understand both your dilemmas on this because I have been there and thought the same and it is a scary thing to do. I loved smoking and I really missed it during the first quit, but second time around I was totally committed and have never looked back. But giving up doesn't make you worse, it's the whole psychology of smoking that makes you think that.

Good luck with whatever you decide, Ann

[mikefa in reply to Lowriekat]

It is possible that smoking suppresses chest infections but you will eventually feel the benefit of stopping smoking.. You will live longer ,be able to have more exercise and enjoy life .Sadly some of the damage done by cigarettes to your lungs cannot repair but 80% will.

Whatever you do stop and do not be scared. Ask at your surgery of there is a deicated nurse to help you do it. It is very hard but well worth it .

[Magpuss]

I also felt more breathless for quite a while after I'd stopped smoking, and I coughed a lot more but I stuck with it. That was eleven years ago, I was diagnosed with mild COPD in 2015, went for my latest spirometry yesterday and I'm still mild. So glad I stopped when I did.......and, looking at the price of cigarettes now - I couldn't afford to smoke, well not unless my reasonably healthy diet took a nose dive.

[katieoxo60]

Hi Lurchers, when I gave up 11years ago I was extremely ill to the extent they thought I had cancer. My doctor was upset that I did not feel better for quitting. However I did improve and was diagnosed with COPD/ASthma in 2009 after many tests . I still have breathing difficulties, so I would say talk to your doctor, stay active and if no improvement maybe some tests might need to be done. Treat yourself in the same way as other COPD patients advise and maybe ask about Pulmonary Rehab to improve your lung capacity. Good luck xx

[Tetrazzini]

Stopping smoking isn't easy and involves a rough patch for quite a few months but it is worth it. I stopped over seven years ago and, now, when I don't feel too great I console myself with the straightforward, undeniable fact that I'm better off than I would have been if I hadn't stopped.

Stay off it and good luck.

[stilltruckin]

Not strictly relevant but while researching whether tobacco cigarettes might have an added bronchodilator I came across this, which may be of interest to those with COPD who continue to smoke: sciencedirect.com/science/a...

And this: ec.europa.eu/health/scienti...

[Tricity125]

Come on. What are saying. That. Giving up as caused you to be breathless. It's trying to trick you in to smoking again it's smoking that as caused. The COPD. I. Would of thought that you would of been well over. Giving up or. Do you still. Have. the odd. Smoke. Well it's up to you. But. Don't. Believe that your more breathless. Now that you have stopped. Are you being really honest. Or do you just want to start. Smoking again and what ever. It takes even if it means tricking. Your self. When I stopped I was so happy. That I was back in control. More cash. I think. That when I see people smoke that. They look. So silly. And being a slave. And. How they could end up. Well don't Do it. Just. Keep your self busy. You have done it. Be proud. Take. Care. Bye. Paul.

[Lyn1955]

smoking does not always cause copd . I have emphysema and have never smoked in my life

[mikefa]

Starting smoking again is not an option, your GP practice should have a dedicated nurse for stopping smoking ring and ask for her help and advice. Many of us have been there.Good luck and best wishes .Have a drink at Xmas but not a fag with it avoid parties if you have friends that smoke.