Breathing

[Alice70]

I have lots of questions for this brilliant community one is for those who have given up smoking ,did you find your breathing improved when you gave up ,did your fv1 improve x

[Badbessie]

Basically yes to both questions. The improvement was not immediate it did take a few months for my lungs to feel the benefit. I also started exercising and my FEV1 went from low 50s to mid 60s.

[wheezyof]

Hi,

I've never smoked but my husband did. (Never in the house)

When he first gave up smoking he felt ill all the time, then he started coughing up loads of filthy mucus. That settled down and he started to feel better.

It took a while for him to feel the benefits but he's glad he gave up.

That was 14 years or more ago. Just now and then he finds himself fancying a smoke but reminds himself of how much more he enjoys a smoke free life.

Good luck x

[hypercat54]

Hi I am mild copd but when I gave up smoking for 17 months I felt worse. I discovered it was masking an under active thyroid (or causing it). The only positive thing is my cough stopped virtually completely. My breathing nor my FEV1 improved. I think when it gets to a certain stage it's more about damage limitation rather than feeling healthier. I am going to try again though as I am sure to progress faster if I smoke. x

[Schmicter]

If no more wheezing or coughing is breathing better than yes. I don't know if FEV1 has changed, I suspect it has some. Overall quality of life is better without smoking.

[johnhawk]

Stopping smoking is essential if you want to get better it's hard I know ( I went cold turkey it was tough) but when you overcome you will gradually feel the benefit. Stick with it or or suffer feeling even worse Good luck !

[Dilly2]

Think of your lovely grandchildren and giving up the fags will give you a longer time to see them grow up just do it for them and your family good luck

[jackdup]

When I quit in 2012 my breathing did not improve and my FEV1 actually declined but has since stabilized. I don’t regret quitting but was certainly disappointed I really didn’t see any improvements. I am always a bit apprehensive mentioning it as I sure don’t want to discourage anyone from quitting.