Newbie with emphysema

[Julmac20]

Hi I was diagnosed with emphysema in November and I stop smoking the next day however. I was trying to be really positive and strong but things have happened that have left me feeling very down and I started smoking again, not a lot but I am now angry at myself but can't seem to quit! I have a six year old and did the google thing, (bad move)! My husband doesn't talk about it as most people think I am fine but I feel alone and I feel a bit scared, although I shouldn't be as I don't have it that bad.

[Stumpy55]

Hello and welcome to our forum Julmac20, sorry to hear about your problems and being a young mum and not knowing which way to turn, I feel for you. However, you are at the right place now. Everyone here including myself are suffering various problems related to the lungs and are friendly people with good advice so don't worry. I have Emphaseama in both my lungs and have breathing problems, firstly you need to stop smoking, it's not easy but essential. Have you tried E cigs? Then you need to get the correct meds for your condition from your G.P . I use a nebuliser and pumps. You also need your hubby on side as he should know how you are really feeling so that he can offer you the support you will need. With all the correct medication you can carry on going forwards. Try not to worry too much, you can chat anytime your feeling low on here. Let us know how you get on please ✋️😊

[Julmac20 in reply to Stumpy55]

Thank you, it's good to talk to people who know what you are dealing with. I am not on any meds. The doc said I have a surprisingly normal spirometry, peak flow and oxygen levels. They only caught it through a x ray then CT scan. I also have benign RBILD but no scarring. Thank you again for reading. I have a vap and patches, just need to get the right mind set. I am hoping by reading and speaking to others this will help.

[Stumpy55 in reply to Julmac20]

Absolutely, sometimes sharing a problem makes it easier to deal with. And by talking to others makes your own problems not so bad. Take care🙂

[Julmac20 in reply to Stumpy55]

You take care too 😊

[hypercat54]

Hi there is a great site on here called Quit who will help you stop and stay stopped. They even helped me to stop and I was very addicted! x

[Julmac20]

Thanks hypercat54, I will go look for it 👍🏻

[Debbbruder]

So you slipped up I don’t know many that have the will power to give up just like that. Have you tried patches or NRT your chemist or doc could help

You there the point is never stop trying it will come eventually . Don’t be so hard on yourself my thoughts are with you and keep me posted Julmac20 xxxx

[Julmac20 in reply to Debbbruder]

Many thanks debbbruder. I am with the chemist on the patches but I bought my own this week as I think they will kick me off the programme for starting again, It's been 2 weeks since I last went 😕

[Badbessie]

Don't stop giving up. I smoked 30 a day and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I now vape which I found helped a great deal. There are medications that the GP can give you to help. Try everything until you find something that helps you. Lastly keep away from Google.

[Julmac20 in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks badbessie, I know google is terrible and I have always told people not too and I go do it! Thinking about my son will make me quit eventually it's just not easy and I say just one for today which ends up as theree or four but it's better than the 20+ a day that i smoked before. It is encouraging that you have came from 30 to none though. I did so well the first 2 month thinking about my son, I didn't smoke at all but the arguments started and I buckled at New Year and haven't been able to get the mind set back, getting there though so 🤞🏻

[Badbessie in reply to Julmac20]

Keep going! Only ex smokers understand how difficult it can be.

[gingermusic]

Hi To anybody who does not understand the condition they will look at you and think there is nothing wrong with you, we all go through that in the beginning I think. The best thing for you to stop it progressing is first and foremost to stop the smoking and if you can do it without vaping so much the better, then exercise as much as you can even if its only walking and eat sensibly. I was diagnosed some 27 years ago and carried on smoking until 13 years ago and its the worse thing I ever did as I obviously got worse and worse, but because its so gradual I did not realise. My big incentive when giving up was to save my cigarette money which I still do to this day saving £200 a month which worked for me.

Best of luck and if not for any other reason do it for your child.

[Julmac20 in reply to gingermusic]

Thanks ginger music, it is because my child is so young that I NEED to stop but at the same time it was depressing me that I Keep going back and as you say everyone thinks you are fine and just being dramatic, this is why I find this site so encouraging. Thanks again

[Rebecca6]

I had smoked for more than 30 years with regular attempt to give up. I have tried every possible aid. Latterly, I used nicotine mini tabs until they irritated my throat . They did help me to reduce the number I smoked each day and may help to explain why I was finally able to just stop.

From this I have concluded that there are no easy answers . Even someone like me with no willpower had no choice left but to just stop. I wish I had known 30 years earlier.

[Julmac20 in reply to Rebecca6]

Hi rebecca6699, I think that is what i am going to do. Down to 3 today so breaking the habit is the hardest thing. First thing in the morning, with a cup of tea, after meals and bedtime! I Smoke the most though when i feel angry or emotional and that is still my trigger point 😕 Need to stay calm 😊

[Catnip]

Greeting

Don't beat yourself up for falling off the "tree of good intentions ". I suspect that we've all been there, one way or another. I certainly did: I finally stopped smoking when the vet told me that my ginger kitty had chronic bronchitis from secondary smoking...

Please don't consult Dr Google: you'll be dead in three clicks. Your husband probably needs to get his head out of the sand and give you some support; you might also talk to your doctor about anxiety and/or depression because they do go with emphysema for about 80% of patients.

There is lots of good advice to be found here, but right now, just getting to the point of giving up those ciggies has to be your primary aim. Good luck -- it's hard, but so worth it!!

Catnip

[Julmac20 in reply to Catnip]

Hi catnip, thanks, as so much of what you said is true. So sorry to hear about your cat, I have a dog and have often thought, I stay away from my child but not the dog! Today I have had 3 cigs so I am getting a bit better but still not where I want to be but i will give it a little bit more time. I have stepped down a position in work as it was really stressful and Time consuming. I blamed that for my laziness and feeling very low which in turn has effect my realationship so I would turn to more cigs! I was going round in a circle!! Now that I have read posts on here about people feeling the same I am getting more confident to change and do something I hate - exercise 😊 Take care of yourself and thanks for the encouragement

[Catnip in reply to Julmac20]

I stopped smoking _loads_of times before I finally cracked it. It is hard and beating yourself up won't make it easier. Emphysema is physically draining: you use a lot of energy just breathing. You are aren't lazy, you have a condition which affects your whole body and mind. Exercise is an essential -- but that doesn't mean a gym, or physical jerks. Cleaning, vacuuming, ironing, a walk round the shops:it's all exercise. Send me a message if you'd like to chat!

Catnip

[Daman5592]

I quit smoking by switching to vape and slowly reducing the nicotine level. I was nicotine free after four months. I have been nicotine free for 5 years after I smoked a pack a day for 26 years.

[Julmac20 in reply to Daman5592]

Hi Daman5592, that is really good, wish I was five years on...... I have tried to stay away from the vap thinking that it was maybe just as bad but I may have to try again as it's got to be better . I also smoked a pack a day and more when drinking for 36 years, I started terribly early in life but did have a few years off during school 😬 Thanks

[mellyme]

So I think we can all relate. Welcome. Funny thing about the ciggies. Most of us began smoking with either joy or anger- party or rebellion. We definitely reach for it after failure or fear.(Man, I need a smoke...) At least that was me. Funny thing that tobacco companies didn't fight new laws on labeling fearful things on cig packs; death, babies being sick, emphy, cancer, etc. When we read these 'scary' things, we immediately reach for a smoke. Fear and failure, my first thoughts when diagnosed. Hardest minute of conflict in life; I need a ...but that's why...

So realize it is our sense of failure and fear that brought more money to Sir Winston Salem. Your reaction was normal and paid for.So: NO guilt, work against the google fear, stick with us, and you were/are NOT a failure.

We are here for you, and you for us.

[Nanagaga]

What a shock you must have had with that news, you poor thing....I was a heavy smoker for over 30 years and tried to give up a few times and slipped back....we all do!!..it's so human, on the eve of my 50th birthday I really did quite with the aid of NRT gum.... haven't smoked for 18 years now....I have severe COPD and am on oxygen therapy..... addicted to Nicotine gum now but better than smoking lol!.....hang in there and tell your nearest and dearest how you feel, you need support with all aspects of your health problems..... you'll always find support here....look after yourself and I'm sure you'll come out on top....best love and luck for the future 😘

[Julmac20 in reply to Nanagaga]

Thank you so much for your kind words nanagaga. I am going to try to be strong again and stop very soon. Hopefully the tablets I have from the doctor will help me get the positivity back, as the mood swings (anger) and crying are really getting to me. It can only get better and one day soon I will have stopped 😬 Talking here is good. My loved ones not so easy although I must stress that they are loving people I just don't want to burden them. You take care too and I wish you all the best xx