Quitting smoking

[Madonna1]

Hi everyone.I have struggled to stop smoking as being diagnosed with copd year and half ago was a shock I never even heard of it. I had lung function test at the time which was I mild I not had one since due to my council cut backs so i cant even keep an eye on my lungs..I have now after year and half managed to stop smoking with the help of champix.

What bothers me is people that give up smoking then told 10 years later they have copd, as its a progressive disease does stop smoking help cus I gonna get worse anyway and can't repair the damage thats been done.

[powderpuff]

Well done on quitting Madonna1 while that won’t repair the lung damage or halt progression it will help to slow it down & in conjunction with exercise will keep you as healthy as possible.

Your GP surgery should be monitoring your COPD with yearly reviews, usually performed by the practice nurse.

[Madonna1 in reply to powderpuff]

I hate exercise 🤣 I do walk everyday I don't mind walking but actually going to gym isnt for me.I also have pain between my shoulder blades that always gets worse when I do exercise.

[Hobbledehoy in reply to Madonna1]

Hullo Madonna1. This is rather late, but I've only just found you! Congratulations on quitting smoking! It was the hardest personal thing I've ever done. Ciggies, cigars, the only thing I didn't smoke was a pipe. And I was a nurse! Everybody smoked! Suckers & chewies substitutes I loved cos I could get my fix anywhere, nobody knew, no smell, nothing.

I only managed it in the end by the highest dose patch double the length of time until I stopped thinking about nicotine, then very slowly descended the scale. It was SO MARVELLOUS not to be tyrannized by the drug!

That was twenty years ago, but the damage was done. Now supported by medication - and exercise. It is a team effort: Dr, meds, US. It is vital to exercise. I hate the gym too, but you can do your own little programme at home. And like you I walk as much as possible, which is pleasant whether for shopping or just fresh air. Good luck honey.

[Madonna1 in reply to powderpuff]

As for my gp surgery they no support they stopped lung function test and smoking support.I had to buy my own champix.They also wont refer me to the hospital for lung exercise class.I get uncomfortable chest and nurse given me inhalers which do nothing for me.I told her there not helping and she has left me with nothing.

[powderpuff in reply to Madonna1]

Cost cutting has meant that many patients can no longer access smoking cessation services because they’ve been withdrawn.

Your surgery cannot refuse yearly monitoring! Arm yourself with the latest NICE guidelines in treating COPD & be prepared to quote it should you continue to experience nonsense.

[Madonna1 in reply to powderpuff]

Thank you I will have alook at the guidelines.

[Tia4209]

Hi well done for quitting smoking, like you have said, you cannot reverse the damage but quitting can hopefully slow the progression right down, some research I have read states it slows down to that of a non smoker ( all lungs deteriorate with age)

I am another very scared and anxious member I was diagnosed 10 months ago I have obsessively used the search button on here to read other members experiences and through reading their posts and comments it seems to me that if you quit and look after yourself you can maintain your current level for a long time.

[Madonna1 in reply to Tia4209]

Same since finding this website I read other posts as its always on my mind 😔

This disease hides and we look well with it.My family im sure think im overreacting they not listen to me so iv given up on trying to explain my symptoms how it hurts and they go on about leg ache 🤣 so im glad we got healthunlocked.

[Artist44]

If you did not stop smoking the desease would get worse much more quickly So I strongly recommend that you don’t start again.

You say that you are not getting any relief from your inhalers and that little is being done to help you. This worries me as so many people are just seen once a year by a practice nurse and there is no follow up. I was very poorly for 2 or 3 years under my GP’s surgery.

Based on my own experience, ask your Dr. to refer you to your Heart & Lung Clinic where they will test your lungs , take a chest X-ray & calculate how well you breathe and provide you with the necessary medication.

As any chest infections will make you very poorly they will give you rescue meds to take to minimise the infection.

I have a nebuliser which I use 4 times a day and this keeps me quite well and much more effective than any inhalers I have tried.

Taking good care of yourself will prolong your life and it will be of better quality but there is no cure.

As for exercise, if you can do it, do it. I can’t anymore but I try and stay as mobile as possible by just doing some household tasks or walking around a Supermarket by leaning on a trolley.

Good luck and be proactive. Your health is important to you.

[Hobbledehoy in reply to Artist44]

I've only just found these good posts. You are brave, stoic & v sensible, Jeanrita. I do hope that you are still coping. Thank you for sharing. It would be good to hear from you again.

[Sandrute2]

How long did you smoke and how you smoked