Spirometry results

[Davideo]

Hi I'm 42 years old and smoke 20 cigarette a day. I had a spirometry 9 months ago and the results are above. I been told I have moderate copd. If I stop smoking can I improve these results. Also can a smoker get these results without COPD. I don't really cough or get any chest infections so if I stop smoking can I improve to mild copd. I'm giving up smoking today is my last.

[Ergendl]

Well done for giving up smoking today. When you stop smoking, you stop the fast progression of COPD. It takes time to undo a lot of the damage caused by smoking, but it is worth it. I gave up in 1985, and had to care for someone who didn't stop smoking, who died of heart failure related to severe COPD aged 73. My own lung problems were considered to be caused mainly by secondary smoke inhalation because of his habit.

I was diagnosed with moderate COPD in 2018, but improved to mild (spirometry within normal range) by improving my diet, increasing exercise, taking the meds, avoiding triggers, and running a weekly singing for lung health group. I made all the changes gradually, by trying out all the advice and tips people gave on this site.

All the best.

[leo60]

Hi Davideo! Giving up smoking is the very best thing you can do to help yourself and it's hard. I wish you well with it, I left it for far too long and am now paying for it (idiot that I am!).

Ergendl has given you excellent advice. This forum is brilliant, supportive, full of advice, nobody judges and we laugh......... welcome xx

[Bingo88]

Good on you for giving up smoking from today. Hopefully if you can give it up completely anything will help to improve your lung capacity. But we can't say for certain. I stopped smoking in 1990. And nearly 30 years later I thought me getting a bit short of breath was down to me being unfit. But the Spirometry test told me I had severe copd. So we just never know how long we will have our health for. There is also a quit Support. smoking help group on this forum as well if you start to struggle giving up. Best of luck. Brian

[Turnipgirl in reply to Bingo88]

When I was having shortness of breath before I dragged myself into a and e when I knew I was in trouble I had put it down to being unfit and needing to go on a diet but it was nice to know I wasn't unfit and that I was poorly when I got diagnosed with blood clots in both lungs.

[Bingo88 in reply to Turnipgirl]

Hope your fully recovered now. I was 63 when I was diagnosed with severe copd

[Turnipgirl in reply to Bingo88]

Yes I'm fine now but I was terrified at the time!

[Bingo88 in reply to Turnipgirl]

Yes it's a frightening experience. I think mainly because you realise there's no treatment or cure. Just take care of yourself

[anng18]

Hi Davideo,

Yes, giving up smoking is the best thing you can do. I didn't give it up and was very similar to you at your age. However, as I didn't give it up, I am a lot worse now than I would have been if I had given it up. I also begun to get a lot of lung infections from when I was about 45, so hopefully if you quit, this won't happen to you.

Good luck and keep trying.

[colourpassion]

From when i was diagnosed (aged 55) i had no symptoms at all and lived a very full busy life, i was a non smoker but in my past had been an occasional smoker and lived with heavy smokers.. I gave up completely with the help of The Easy Way To Stop Smoking, an amazing little book that doesn't preach but changes your mindset...the author is Alan Carr ( NOT the dreadful comedian!!). I didn't get my first chest infection until 2022 (age 68), if i hadn't stopped smoking it would be a very different story. Well done you and remain determined, and remember you are not GIVING SOMETHING UP but reclaiming power by not being a slave to toxic habits!

[Turnipgirl]

Thing is things like copd and lung cancer can easily happen to those who have never smoked as well.

[Andreasaw]

yep good idea to quit smoking, I have the odd one or two & that’s too many

[Thinkhealthy]

hi and well done for deciding to quit smoking. It is hard . It took me a few goes but one day my brother said ‘until you have your very last one you can’t get through it. ‘ that resonated with me. Best of luck - I think other things can lead to COPD but smoking is the usual cause.

[Alberta56]

Well done for resolving to give up smoking. i hope the comments on this site will help you.

[Kristicats]

Well done re packing up the coffin nails! I know it won’t be easy but it will certainly help improve your copd. All I can advise is to keep as mobile as possible. My levels got worse initially after being diagnosed due to sulking and worrying and could have ended up as ‘death by sofa’ had I not woke up to the fact that keeping moving is the best treatment. Once I got going thing did improve. Good luck with your journey. Lots of advice and experience on here. Cx

[Hidden]

Hi Davideo, Seriously, stop smoking and look after your health, I was diagnosed with emphysema back in 2013, I didn't really have a cough or struggle with my breathing so much back then, I did not take the diagnosis seriously enough or take the advice that I was given at the time, I didn't quit smoking until recently, I regret my decisions now, really regret them, every day is a struggle for breath now, please look after yourself...