Meganmania 26

[meganmania26]

I can’t believe I am fifteen months smokefree so disappointed that my breathing has got worse I have C O P D and really thought that giving up would help me to breath easier

[Magpuss]

After quitting, my breathing got a lot worse before it got better. Once I'd quit I'd started to put on weight and that didn't help. Don't wish to pry but, I wonder if you're weight has been creeping up too? You've done really well to pack up smoking and (I guess) you've saved yourself a bob or two as well so don't be disappointed, you've won one battle👏👏. The next one is to try to fit in regular exercise - (even if you've done better than I did with keeping the pounds off), over time - this will help with your breathing. Well done, and good luck.👍🏻

[meganmania26 in reply to Magpuss]

Yes my weight has crept up not sure if it’s the medication I am on am addressing it thank you for your response I smoked for fifty odd years so maybe it will take a while yet to feel any benifit

[Minkywhire in reply to meganmania26]

I was disappointed too that my breathing didn’t improve when I finally gave up smoking. Like you I’d smoked for 50+ yrs. the weight did unfortunately pile on as a consequence of developing pneumonia and being weak thereafter and unable to exercise. Vicious circle really. However, I’m not going back to smoking. Too many benefits to quitting but definitely feel the weight doesn’t help my COPD. Best of luck with getting the weight off. I’m starting the 8 Week Blood Sugar Diet...apparently it’s very good and it’s healthy eating. Will keep you posted.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Well done on giving up smoking.😊 Bernadette xx

[hypercat54]

Hi well done for giving up smoking as this can be very difficult. It might not seem like it but this is the best thing you can do for your health.

Smoking has a sophoric effect on your lungs and masks other problems, and sometimes even causes them. But there comes a point (like it has with my mild copd) when it's not about getting healthier in that sense but more damage limitation. As someone said to me 'Come on do you really expect to have smoked all these years and got off scot free'. I have found this to be true.

If you wait for smoking to give you up instead then you haven't got much time left. You have bought yourself more time now. x

[grannyk3]

Good for you giving up smoking! I have heard a lot of people say they felt worse after quitting, don't know why that could be. My experience was completely different- I felt so much better right away. In time you will too and quitting will slow the progress of copd waaaaay down. 😉

[Hidden]

It's good that you've given up well done, what we don't know is how much worse your breathing may have been if you'd continued to smoke.

[Candyred]

Fantastic! Keep it up .. I was much the same .. stop smoking and my breathing got worse.. x

[PollyP]

Good on you for giving up smoking! As someone has already said it the best thing you can do for yourself.

Do you have a self care plan for yourself ?

A plan which looks st all aspects of your self?

Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual?

Diet, exercise, medication and positive thing can all make a huge difference to us.

Wishing you well.

PollyP

[dormguard]

You gave up smoking....that is the first step, and in the long run the best step in the right direction; for sure. Many , many health supplements out in health stores to aid in breathing easier (so they claim) and I heard that NAC was something that a lot of people have who have respiratory problems. Listen to your doctor and ask about possibly using some supplements. Many people don't believe in supplements but everyone is different and what one's system reacts good to, another one ' s system may not. Exercise, and exercise breathing techniques are also important. Just take it easy....one step at a time .

[Whitechinchilla]

You have done something no doctor could ever do for you and that is to be commended. Speak to your gp or nurse for some answers. Good wishes.

[Susan1200]

Hi meganmania26,I smoked for about 50 years and I felt very disappointed that my breathing had not got better , but a year later I did feel my breathing was improving ,so everything takes time so please don't feel disheartened .

You should feel proud of your self for giving up smoking,so Bravo 👌.

[Izb1]

Well done you for quitting the evil weed. At the moment I would think your lungs are still full of gunk, it does take a while to clear out. I was told years ago when I gave up, that as a smoker we dont breathe right and only take shallow breaths, so started to take slow deep breaths every night and just concentrated on my breathing, lifting my arms up when breathing in slowly, it did help and Im sure that the added oxygen deep down helped to clear out the gunk as well. I spent 15 minutes every night on this, think i will take this up again as Im sure it helped me sleep better as well. Irene x

[lKeith]

meganmania26

Hi, it's good that you have gone without the cigs, you may not feel that there has been an improvement but your lungs will be happier. You haven't damaged them further. lungs are things we take for granted but when they break down believe me you miss them awfully.

You may now be able to take a treatment that may help to repair them to some extent.

Keep off the cigs, well done that you have lasted this long which is progress in itself, but do not backside. Ask your GP what you can now do to improve your lot, there are treatments out there.

IKeith

[ssafa]

Like many I smoked from an early age when you could buy cigs in singles or 5's I stopped 9 years ago in April. Like you and many others COPD soon appeared and ever since I have been determined not to let it beat me. 2/3 inhalers keep me going and whilst there are many bad days they always get better. Exercise and diet are essential tools in living with COPD. The dab weather will be gone soon and we can breathe easy again.

[kimmi61]

Hi Meganmania26, I also thought that quitting would make my breathing better. I was probably expecting too much, too soon. It seems that everyone has different experiences, but quitting really has to be the best thing to do. I also have put on weight because I feel like I am hungry all of the time. I seem to get a pang, and it is either, smoke or eat and I eat! I am not going to worry about the weight right now, staying smoke free is my priority. I remember my Mum's GP saying that smoking masks some illnesses. I think this is true for me, but I will continue to remain smoke free, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. It certainly can't hurt me. Take care of you!

[Jessie8ruff]

Well!! What do you think?? I’d been smoking for over 40 years when diagnosed with COPD, I stopped smoking then & although didn’t think I would feel that bad was told by Respiratory Nurse, Gp, & Consultant team that damage was done & I was not going to get better. Physio Rehab team said could slow things down! Basically if people like us carried on the damage would get worse quicker & the end, well sooner rather than later! That’s what I was told! So glad I stopped smoking, wish had sooner or not at all!!