I'm still here.

[Jeremy76]

A warm hug to all of you here, you have been so kind to me and your support and well wishes are very much appreciated.

As you know, I had a specialist doc tell me recently I was all clear from emphysema, so I returned to work in China.

Back on the horse so to speak. Having quit smoking since March, i've put on weight, yet since going back to work I have had some issues with a dizziness in my head, more like a feeling there's a cloud over it that I can't seem to shake off. i know I shouldn't worry, but my feeling is it is a lung problem.. I have had times where i've felt I need to get out and get fresh air whilst being in confined areas. I've already seen 3 doctors here in Hong Kong, I feel I can't trust their opinion anymore as the last doc cleared me as ok, but my body tells me otherwise.

[martin1945]

Hi Jeremy, I guess it begs the question, were any of the doctors, pulmonary specialists? Also did you undergo the whole range of tests including PFT: spirometry, X-Ray and CT scans and even electrocardiogram (to make sure your heart is OK. If not then you are not receiving a complete diagnosis. Best regards Martin

[Jeremy76]

Yes number 2 and 3 were.

Number 2 stated I had stage 0 emphysema.

Number 3 stated I had inflammatory lymph nodes and microscopic damage in the alveoli from smoking. Had CT, X-ray scans, blood tests and spirometry breath tests. My FEV1/FVC ratio was 67% which is under the 70% threshold.

My FVC was 135%.

I guess the heart check is needed.

[Hidden]

Congratulations on Quitting Smoking. March is fairly recent, so you will still be feeling the after affects of quitting. Your body is still getting used to the increase oxygen intake. Also Smoking alters brain chemstry so that is reseting itself as well. That may be part of the dizziness.

Martin1945 has a good point. If you have not already had them you need the battery of tests, scans , xrays to verify things are okay, and also to form a baseline,

You should redo the Spirometry tests periodically to keep ontop of the progress / stablility of your breathing capacity. The xrays / CT scan should be able to check for any signs of Fibrosis as well.

[peege]

Hmmm, I can well understand your worries. I too have lived abroad - not as far away as china though!

This is only a thought because I was just reading an old post about tiredness being due to possibility of shallow breathing and the fact that lungs must be fully ex-haled to get the most out of oxygen. This is guessing - but try some deep PLBreathing ensuring long deep exhale. Also give the helpline a ring All the best, Peeg

[Hidden]

Congrats on the quitting.I remember when I quit,I was awfully tired for the first few weeks,& as peeg stated,shallow breathing,can be a culprit.When you smoke,you are breathing in more deeply,& then blowing out,when you quit,you need more than ever to check your breathing!Hope that makes sense to you! Get your Doc.to run an ECG,just to make sure heart ok,& doesn't take long.Good luck with it all, Wendells xx

[helingmic in reply to Hidden]

I'm following on what Wendells says, "when you smoke, you are breathing in more deeply than you blow out" I just wonder if you still do this; being in a highly polluted area, that might be why you feel dizzy or out of sort.

being in Hong Kong, you probably know all about Qi Gong. I do the 8 pieces of brocade (baduanjin) part of the Qigong exercises for health. I found that it gives me some energy. As you might know Qigong combines the exercises with the breathing, that's why it has a good impact on the body. BUT the pollution isn't going to help. Yes, your body yearns for fresh air. I don't know where you are going to find it!

[Jeremy76 in reply to helingmic]

I live on a foot of a mountain range over here, a small village town with plenty of trees, waterfalls and practically zero pollution. Here's a pic of my swimming pool-static.panoramio.com/photos...

[Suzy6 in reply to Jeremy76]

Wow Jeremy took my breath away, and I haven't much to spare! Beautiful.

[Jeremy76 in reply to Suzy6]

Better up your inhaler dosage then dear

[helingmic in reply to Jeremy76]

Jeremy, that is superb! What richness indeed. At least, you can do exercises in the morning in front of this beauty of nature.Still try to find out about QiGong and especially the 8 pieces of brocade.

here's the Wikipedia explanation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badua...

And here's the video from YouTube:

youtube.com/watch?v=KJeyZ43...(Not working as expected?)

[Jeremy76 in reply to helingmic]

Thankyou for taking the time to research the information, i'll take a look

Both Hong Kong and China do have some truly beautiful places to experience.

And as Hong Kongers at large are city loving nature-phobic these places are usually devoid of people.

[helingmic in reply to Jeremy76]

Time to delight in its beauty! There's a promotion for the countryside, discoverhongkong.com/eng/se...

I expect you know this like the back of your hand!!

They speak of the lost temples, but don't show where they are! They must be truly lost!!!

Can you join Tai chi in the park?

there must be a few trusted doctors to slip some acupuncture needles in you for your dizziness.

I'm afraid the gaining in weight is probably due to eating maikai with chilli sauce!!!

[Jeremy76 in reply to helingmic]

As to my breathing patterns you are probably right. I'm finding myself now trying to consciously change it to blow as much out as I can, I find I do have a surplus of non exhaled air from my regular breathing patterns. The summer here has kicked in of recent and the humidity is stupidly wet, that could also be part of the problem too.

[Jeremy76]

I've been much better these last few days people!

Breathing more deeply and focusing more on bigger exhales.

Kinda weird retraining how to breathe, 20 years of bad habits can't be reversed in a couple of months.

And now as an ex smoker, i'm probably more sensitive to the air quality and oxygen levels around me.

Anyway, will see how it goes now i'm heading back to China. Cheers