COPD

[vinny1000]

55, just been diagnosed with COPD, I have smoked since the age of 13, it has crept up on me, you don't think when you smoke, but guess what? I give up now, I always said " when it effects my health then smoking is gone" its going to be so hard to do this, maybe I will fail

[casper99]

Hi Vinny and welcome to the forum.

You won't fail, if your determined. I used an ecig because all other methods weren't working.

I've stopped in the past with patches, (fool that I was to start again) but, this time around, they itched like holy hell.

I'm pretty addicted to the ecig now but, I have dropped down the dosage twice in 6 months. I'll drop another strength in spring and hopefully be off it by summer.

You know you have to stop now and that's where the stress comes in. I managed to stop, even though I didn't really want to, simply because I was terrified !!!

I also couldn't cope with the stress every time I lit up, knowing the copd would get worse if I didn't pack it in.

Good luck, which ever method you choose. You can do it xx

[punkyb]

I thought like you until I tried it. It seemed to have been one of the easiest things I ever did in my life. I have a hard time understanding it being difficult to quit. Maybe because I went to a group therapy thing and took a little Wellbutrin to help me.... I am rooting for you!

[carlow12345]

I was diagnosed with copd at 50 smoked since I was 11 ,I tried to stop smoking loads of times but failed , soon has I found out I had copd stop straight away found it so easy

[Martymack69]

You can do it, Vinny.

Different methods work for different people. Just keep sampling methods until you find one that works best for you. I started out using the e-cig too, but my lungs are damaged to the point where inhaling anything at all felt like the wrong thing to do. I switched to the nicotine lozenges (highest mg in the beginning), and they not only helped tremendously with my cravings, they taste good too. I'm now down to the lowest dosage and they are still working as well.

Good luck to you, my friend. Check in often - there are many supportive people here with lots of tips, advice and some will even keep you laughing while you fight the terrible fight!

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I am sure you will succeed xxx😊

[tom1]

Hi Vinny I was just the same, started smoking early, gave up about your age, you can do it, yes it is HARD, can be done, good luck.

[Hidden]

I am 64 in March an have smoked since I was 15 yrs old with the help of the my practice stop smoking clinic I have not had a fag for 4 months now. It will be hard but you will get there and it does help your lungs.

[Tilly2402]

If you think you will fail then you will. I gave up smoking seven years ago, pneumonia almost killed me and I haven't smoked since. I also have COPD and I only wish I had given up before the damage had been done. You can. Give up and it really isn't as hard as you think if you accept it. I smoked around fifty a day so if I can stop smoking anyone can. Good luck.

[Watfordgirl]

Hello vinny, and a warm welcome.

You won't fail and it may be easier than you think. You'll have to tell us how it goes. Good luck, Sue x

[Hidden]

Hello vinny,

A warm wecome from me too, I have moderate copd, smoked heavily for 50 years. Gave up with the help of Zyban, and truthfully it was entirely painless, but there are many other methods. You won't fail with the support you get on here. I believe there is also a forum for help on giving up smoking. Are you taking anything to help pack it in?

Good luck whatever method you choose. Don't lose your resolve. You are in charge

[Jaynair]

Hello Vinny, welcome to the site giving up smoking will be the best thing you can ever do for yourself - use whatever method works best for you and you'll succeed. x

[Dedalus]

Hello and welcome vinny

[consul1]

I smoked from an earlier age but after being told I had a blocked aorta I used patches to help me stop. If you really want to stop you will do it good luck

[gingermusic]

I managed to stop 13 years ago with the help of my partners he just refused to let me have any more and that was it I quit cold turkey but within a week I no longer craved one as much and it just got easier from there on in. I have faith in you that you can give up. Be sure that for every one you smoke you are causing further damage,

[CDPO16]

Hi and welcome,

Yes it will be hard and you may fail, but as the saying goes 'if at first you don't succeed try, try again'. Many of us have struggled to kick the habit but beaten it eventually.

You can do it too.

good luck

[Scud]

Vinny please don't think about failing be positive, I never thought I could stop but it's the best thing I have ever done, you will feel the benefits STOP now. I have not had a cigarette now for 16 years and would not thank you for one. COPD is a progressive illness with no cure but you can help to slow it down by quitting the cigs and taking excercise. Although I stopped I should have done it sooner, I am on oxygen 24/7 now , I still have a good life and I get out and about but I would rather be oxygen free but that's not going to happen so I enjoy what I have DONT be like me and wait till it's to late. I wish you all the best keep us posted on your progress GOOD LUCK

Love Sue

[Nanny1086]

Hi ,you won't fail ,be strong you can do this ,the alternative is not worth your time ,,, so just do it , I smoked for 30 years like you I was a young smoker , I was blue lighted into ICU and a doctor asked me if I smoked ,yes I said ,he said wrong answer the next one will kill you,,,,,I never had another ciggerette, I just wrote his words on a scrap of paper and kept it with me at all times ,,,,all ineeded to do was look at it when I needed a cigarette,,, and it passed ,,,, buy some fruit gums put them in the freezer and just suck on one of them when you need a fix,( they last longer )

Good luck in your quest ,best wishes ,and merry Christmas keep strong ,

[guytane]

I have never smoked got copd not pissin fair

[Hidden in reply to guytane]

Around 15% of those with copd have never smoked. This could be due to second hand smoke, a genetic link, or working in certain trades. Sometimes there is no clear reason. I know there is current research showing there are lots of genes responsible for lung health ( lot more than was thought), and if you are unlucky you have inherited few good genes.

Only 1 in 4 smokers will get copd, so it's not fair that any of us have it whether we smoked or not. Having said that I am grateful I just have copd and not one of the other more deadly and serious lung diseases such as many on here have.

There is always a silver cloud to any lining! x

[Tee1008]

Hello vinny, welcome and nice to meet you. x

[Hidden]

It will take time to stop smoking just keep trying as i was a very heavy smoker like a 2 to 3 packs of 50gm of taboco a week now. Only 1 or 3 rolles a day some times none like you i started at a very young age

[Charley65]

Hi Vinny My Hubby was diagnosed with COPD earlier this year ( He stopped smoking years ago) he sings in a Barbershop Chorus which we understand helps I'm not saying for one minute you need to start singing lol but if anything helps, I managed to find out about a Breatheasy Group in our area which he has found very useful for a start the Dr had put him on a medication and when he spoke to the respritory nurse at the breatheasy group about the problems he was experiencing she advised him to go back to the Dr as the medication was too strong at this stage for that reason alone it was worth going. Good luck with giving up smoking the idea that someone has said about the ecig is good advice if your struggling.

[soulsaver]

The trouble with 'I'll stop if/when it affects my health..' is that it has permanently affected your health for years before you realise it.

The education round smoking is still poor, lots of smokers have never heard of COPD and it's progressive quality of life affecting nature - they all think it causes cancer & it won't happen to them.. but the reality is far more insidious and way more widespread.

Still you're better stopping now because continuing will accelerate the rate of progression.

[Foxy79]

Hi there mate your 55 and you just been diognosed with copd I'm 35 years old and have copd respiratory type 2 brocectstsis on bibep oxygen nublizer etc but life goes on never give up time doesn't stop ✋ for no one as people like me take day by day as a challenge everyday you there are good and bad days like any other normal human would have try and stop or your life line will go short and you will suffer more it's so simple but I never got that chance you do live life to the max and enjoy with loved ones have a nice Christmas and happy new year foxy79

[19441934]

It's rarely too late to stop.It can slow the disease down.A good diet, adequate sleep and exercise will help too.The appropriate medications and of course preventative steps, i.e.: Seasonal Flu Vaccines, Pneumonia if your Clinician feels it appropriate, and managing infections.You will derive a great deal of support, advice and humour on here.Wishing you the best, above all stay positive,😄 ......

[Beth1949]

I know what you mean. When I was in high school in the late 60s, I tried smoking, it was just before all the information about lung cancer came out.

The high school that I went to, even had a smoking lounge for students!!!

I smoked for a very short time, didn't like it, so I haven't smoked since. That was one smart choice on my part!

I have had breathing issues for close to 30 yrs, I'm 67. Was diagnosed with bronchiectasis about 5 yrs ago. I think about how much worse I would be if I had kept smoking.

Beth

[Hungryhorse63]

Hi Vinny

I couldn't use the pen type ecigs as whatever is in them made me cough all night and tighten my chest worse than normal cigs. So I used VYPE ecigs same size as normal cigarette in a handy pack that last for ages plus Nicotinelle chew gum fruit flavour 4mg. Combining both managed it easy even when stressed.

Good Luck xxHH

[Polly-PV]

Yes, Quit Support on here is just phenomenal xx

[Shaurene]

Hi Vinny

I am the same. Am 75 now smoked since I was 13. Crept up on me couple years ago with emphasima have tried so hard to stop but very difficult. Have cut down a lot. Worst is when you have a drink.

Good Luck.

Kenney

[bandit2]

maybe you will or maybe you won't, and if you do no biggie, pull up your socks and try again, and again. One day you will get there. There is quit support on HU you might find it useful. I too was recently diagnosed, smoking over 40 years, yep I was 12 I think, bad idea for sure, now we pay the piper, quitting is the best for you and there are many people on here who did quit and I am sure some that still smoke. Keep positive, know in your mind, body, and soul that this is your direction and soak up as much advice and information you can from these people, they will get you through this.

[mmzetor]

welcome to the group good luck with the giving up smoking

[Hidden]

I didn't even smoke but still copped for COPD, so can't even get angry with myself or blame anything other than the big fella upstairs!

Nobody knows when the door will knock .......