New member COPD

[swilljackson]

Hi all new to the group. Was disgnosed woth COPD about 12 months ago . Im 61 years old ( just ) and unfortunately a smoker . Think im in the early stages . Any tips or help would be appreciated and welcome .thanks dave

[onamission]

Hi Dave and welcome I have copd diagnosed at the age of 42.

I gave up smoking with the help of champix started swimming have yearly flu jabs keep away from people with colds and try and eat healthy that's what I do.

[swilljackson in reply to onamission]

Hi onamission . Thats young for copd. .my doctor wont perscribe champix . Never has . Tried the patches chewing gum etc to no avail . Thanks for your advice much appreciated

[onamission in reply to swilljackson]

42 is young but not the youngest people on hear were younger than me.

Champix is not suitable for everyone I attended a quit clinic they gave me a request form to give my GP. I can not understand why your GP wont prescribe champix other than medical problems he must understand if you continue to smoke it will cause more problems.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi Dave and welcome, I stopped smoking 4year ago, best thing I ever did. Eat healthy,exercise and drink lots of fluids. Always try to stay positive, and never google anything about your illness. Use athe N H S site or ask someone on here. Keep posting and take care 😊 xxx Bernadette

[Hidden]

Try ecigs very good has was a very heavy smoker now only sometime 1 or 2 a week when get to far down as to shift the muck off my chest

[Dragonmum]

Unless you pack in the smokes Dave your symptoms will just get worse - it's inevitable unfortunately; the tar in the smoke is not only an irritant, it's full of cancer-causing particles. Many of us on here were heavy smokers so we know how hard it is to kick the habit; 60 years a smoker I failed time after time to quit, everything from gums and patches to hypnosis failed. Seven years ago my son bought me an e-cig and I quit overnight, no withdrawal pangs, I just needed a substitute and I haven't had a cigarette since. However you choose to do it please just do it. You have my very best wishes in your efforts - come on, you know you can!

[swilljackson]

Thanks all youve really made me feel welcome .

[Caspiana]

Hello swilljackson just wanted to welcome you. I have heard that giving up smoking is terribly difficult. I sympathize. Take care. xx 🌿

[Katinka46]

Welcome to this forum. it is brilliant, very helpful, friendly and supportive. Many here have been in your situation and will identify with the difficulties of stopping smoking.

All the best

K

[y_not]

Hi Dave,

Just deciding it's time to give up the cigs is a great start! I spent 40 years convincing myself that they were okay and, anyway, what's the worst that can happen ... I die! Little did I realise that, worse than dying is living with the effects of smoking! Wish I'd stopped 39 years ago!

Oddly, I was (somewhere in my tiny mind) convinced that the world would end, I'd have massive side effects, the addiction would be too great after 40 a day for so many years but; you know what? On Friday 11th November 2011 I was a 40 a day smoker and on Saturday 12th November 2011 I was an ex-smoker!

The world didn't end, the side effects never happened, the cravings didn't happen, my wife carried on smoking for another three years before stopping but nothing has ever convinced me to re-start! I guess I was lucky and I hope you are to but, even if you're not then you might "fall off the wagon" but who says you can't jump back on again?

Meantime, (even as a smoker) you can start to eat healthy, exercise, learn about the impacts and effects of the COPD and prepare yourself physically and mentally for the changes that COPD brings.

Good luck, best wishes and let us know how you're getting on!

[Scud]

Please please please give it your best shot to quit the cigs, I was diagnosed with copd in my early 40s but thought I Knew better when the doctors told me to quit I thought I could just keep having antibiotics and I would be ok how ignorant of me. If I had stopped smoking then things would have been different for me now although I stopped smoking 18 years ago the damage was done I am now on oxygen 24/7 I'm not complaining because you learn to adjust to your situation but if I could turn the clocks back I would STOP the cigs immediately not easy but worth.

It's not to late for you if you are in the early stages I wish you all the best.

Sue x

[gingermusic]

Why anybody should think your young for COPD I have no idea as I was originally diagnosed with COPD when I was 40 so been a sufferer now for 27 years. You have to give up smoking because if you don't you will get worse a lot quicker, plus every cigarette is doing further damage to your poor lungs. I know only to well its not easy but if I could do it then so can you. Only other advice is make sure you have a flu jab every year also the pneumonia one if offered. Take all medication prescribed and if your offered a place on a pulmonary course take it as they are very good.

[mikefa]

I do not see what age has to do with smoking or giving up. I said I could give up if my wife did. The month after she died I went to see them at the health centre. They allocated a nurse to help me stop and set dates etc. I am now 82 and have COPD that has come on since I stopped but I reckon if I had carried on smoking I would have been dead too.

So Dave make an appointment today!!!

[Dedalus]

Hello and welcome

[swilljackson in reply to Dedalus]

Thank you

[Offcut]

Welcome

I know it is not easy to give up. But every ciggy you have is making your condition worse. Go onto E Cigs or get help from doctors. I was a 40 a day smoker and gave up in 1992 and never had one since.

[swilljackson]

Thanks just ordered one let you know how i get on once again thank you

[Valerie01]

Hi dave i was told i had c.o.p.d just before Christmas im only stage 2 and i am a smoker I've tryed to stop had patches and chompits (tablit) but it stopped me for 12 week first time and with chompits i stoped for about 5 month back on the cigarettes now but i will try again in a few weeks lol its hard and i find just get on with it lol nothing else we can do i have 3 inhaler and go 6monthly check ups with the nurse

[swilljackson in reply to Valerie01]

Thanks valerie going to try e cig next week waiting for delivery .tryed everything else except champix .smoked for nearly 45 years .had to have surgery for blockage in legs through smoking . Glad your on here everyone else has stopped that ive spoken to .i dont mean im glad you smoke .just know you know how hard it is to stop .

[Valerie01 in reply to swilljackson]

Yes well i know it would be better if i stoped but its not easy im 57 and I've smoked from bn 13 and my husband smokes so when he goes out for a cig i join him sometime he dont smoke in the house lol

[Chloejack]

Hi,this is my first time on website, I stopped smoking 5yrs ago with champix. I then took asthma,c.o.p.d.bronchitis and sleep apnoae.I started smoking again(i know! Crazy) my g.p won't prescribe champix now as it can make you very depressed, I'm on 4 inhalers, constantly on antibiotics. I have a sleep machine I'm supposed to use every night but can't stand it, is anyone else having problems with it.

Lorraine

[mike25]

1st and foremost, You must stop Smoking! or else no one can help You, unfortunately You have to help yourself first. Please trust me, I know I wouldn't be here now if I hadn't have stopped, and believe me ,HOW I WISHED NOW THAT I HAD NEVER STARTED. (except I'm too late) the damage has been done. Good Luck.

[doug41]

The best advice i can give you is stop smoking i am 76yrs old and smoked all my life and boy am i suffering now copd diagnosed 2001 can barely walk more than a few steps without getting out of breath literally house bound and totally reliant on other people to help me do the normal things i used to do with my eyes shut . Pack up the fags mate.

[winabago]

Dave, I am 74 with moderate copd, smoked for 50 years and just stopped smoking. Smoking is the one thing you can use to control your copd. Good luck to you, and quite. John

[swilljackson]

Thanks john its hard to stop mate but will give it a go

[Donnabelle]

Hi, and welcome.

Folks here are super nice and very helpful.

I know many of ex-smokers have quit while taking Wellbutrin or Zyban. And Lost some weight as a side effect.

For some reason, the patch worked splendidly for me.

I have mild copd right now. My mission is to keep it mild for a very long time.

Kind regards,