Wood dust and COPD

[Crankshaft]

Thanks everyone for your advice regarding prednisone and the flu jab. It put my mind at ease. Just like to share how I got COPD. I am an engineer who is still working a bit 75 yrs old and smoke as did my father and grandfather who lived into their to 96 and 90 . About 3 yew ago I was working on a vehicle which carried woodchip . This material was recycled within the vehicle and had turned into an ultra fine dust. I opened a valve by mistake and was sprayed on the face with this dust . It had a spray effect and immediately had me caught on my chest I have been on all sorts of inhalers since and still smoke about 20 a day. Just couldn't put myself through quitting at my age. Just thought I would share in case anyone else has work which has wood dust exposure. Thanks again to you all.

[Billiejean_2]

With smoking 20 a day, you'ld probably have ended up with COPD anyway but good tip about the wood dust.

[2greys]

Hi, It is never too late to quit smoking, it is THE best thing you can do to slow down the progression of this nasty disease.

I am a production engineer and still working full-time at 67, I have severe copd, please try to quit, being breathless every time you do anything is no joke, it is torturous. Change over to vaping if you cannot quit.

[O2Trees]

What bad luck to have that happen to you. I think you've just answered your question in your other post about your father and grandfather not getting copd. Copd is caused by other things besides cigarettes. There is a high incidence of copd in African tribal areas from particulate matter where cooking is done on wood stoves. There has been recent publicity about pollution caused by wood burners in london. I know yours was caused by unlit dust but it makes me wonder if there's something in wood which is a threat. But then all dust is a threat. About 20% of those with copd have never smoked but contracted it from work or environmental pollution so thanks for sharing your experience.

Do wish you could see your way to quitting - or as 2greys says, changing over to vaping.

[Time_2_drink]

Agree with O2 and 2greys. Stop smoking at least try use a vape good luck

[knitter]

Sawdust is one of my youngest daughter's asthma triggers .

[lKeith]

Crankshaft

I noted with interest your post about wood dust. I worked in the shopfitting industry where MDF is used a lot, each time I went on site the dust from the MDF went straight to my chest, I tried a mask but my glasses steamed up so I gave up trying to stop it getting into my chest.I now have severe emphysema brought on partly with Asbestos dust, MDF dust and the worst of all smoking. Everything has come to a halt, the smokes had to go and the shopfitting work had to stop. I am struggling with the smallest of tasks and even walking is an effort.

You have learned not to play with with valves now give up smoking, lung disease cannot be reversed and at our ages getting treatment of any true value is pointless. Don't wait any longer give it up whilst you still have lungs that work.

IKeith

[hallentine47]

Thanks Crankshaft for your share. I smoked heavily until 14 years ago. I am 70 with severe COPD/Emphysema and 23% lung capacity. I owned and worked hands on in my own furniture business for 20 years and never wore a mask when I almost daily sanded wood of all descriptions for all sorts of reasons. I also used wax and other toxic finishes again never using a mask. Well how can you use a mask when you are smoking? I was a bronchial asthmatic to start with as a child. That's how I got mine. I have found ceasing the cigs very beneficial and not as difficult as i thought it was going to be. Best of luck.