Hi, I stopped smoking 4wks ago when I was diagnosed with stage 2 COPD. I'm worried that I am not coughing and not getting rid of any rubbish, everyone says that they feel rotten when they stop, why don't I?
No cough?: Hi, I stopped smoking 4wks... - Lung Conditions C...
No cough?
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Janetxxx1957
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Hi, I stopped smoking in August 2017, l haven't had any bad coughing until about 3 weeks ago, it will come, I was diagnosed 1yr ago, you will have plenty of time don't worry.
Haha thankyou fleurbaby, I was thinking the tar had gone rock solid and there forever.
Well done for giving up smoking. We are all different so stopping smoking affects us different. I never felt awfull but i did continue with my smokers cough for quite a while.
Congratulations on quitting 
Do not worry about not having a cough. COPD is just a term used for two diseases, Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema (sometimes maybe severe Astma). You can have one or the other or more commonly both together. Chronic Bronchitis will produce an excess of mucus and associated cough, pure Emphysema does not. You sound just like me, with just Emphysema, I normally do not cough or produce excess mucus except when suffering an exacerbation (a flare up). Do not worry about this too much. The tar and gunk from smoking will disappear as your body will absorb it and get expelled naturally,
Ah thankyou for that. I feel like the go just guesses, I had my first flare up in January this year, was coughing a lot then, stopped smoking instantly after 50 years, using a preventer inhaler and no coughing, got breathless on a hill yesterday lol. My gp won't refer me for a ct scan, which as far as I can see, is the only way to get a proper diagnosis.... jan
A spirometry test, pulmonary function test will determine your diagnosis, a High Resolution CT Scan will not only help with diagnosis and type of COPD but also show just where in your lungs the damage is. The parts still working in my lungs are uniformly at the bottom of my lobes (smoke rises), all the rest just shows up as black empty spaces. Yes, your GP is only making an educated guess, you need referring to a pulmonary consultant to get the proper answers.
I think my only option is to go private, my gp has refused, I had fev1 53%, not far off severe, I need answers
I am sorry but he cannot refuse to refer you, go back and insist (I am assuming you are in the UK). If he does not, make an immediate complaint. Some GPs can have a God complex, they are only general practitioners not specialists. COPD is a serious illness and you are entitled to proper care and treatment.
Thanku 2greys, I will request a different doctor and try again, I'm presuming it's about keeping costs down, but I have read lots of stories about misdiagnosis, I am a single parent and want to do as much as I can to stay around for my grown up children.
I agree I’ve been reading the nice guidelines of what you are entitled to expect and it’s an eye opener .. I am going back on Thursday armed with info. We are struggling here on the uk with a service that’s running on nearly empty . We still however are entitled to the best care .. this is our lives .
Are you in the UK? It seems some countries won’t refer you for a CTscan and rely on PFTresults. I have never had a CT but x-rays show hyperinflation “consistent with COPD” and my PFT indicates COPD.
Yes I'm in the UK. Had my first flare up in Jan this year, chest x-ray showed nothing, pft moderate COPD, but would like a definite diagnosis.
It would certainly be nice to have the CT scan for a definitive diagnosis. I was under the impression that in the UK they did CT scans for COPD. I am not in the UK and it was not a surprise that I was not offered a CT scan here but I would like to have one as well.
Hi most people do cough more when they stop but I didn't. I coughed a lot whilst smoking and when I stopped the cough virtually stopped too. You are maybe like me? Why not put your question in the quit smoking site and they will put your mind at rest. x
Well done on quitting! I found it hard but quit ten years ago. I was also stage 2 when I quit. I still like the smell even now but would never be that stupid lol 😊
Are you still stage 2 Brian?
Unfortunately no. I’m stage three now and due a review in a week or so, assuming I can get this latest flare up under control. However, you may be totally different and find that you stay at stage two for many years! Fingers firmly crossed for you x
Sorry to hear that Brian, I've only had one flare up, but after smoking 20 a day for all my adult life, it's not surprising really.
I’m nearly 58 and quit smoking approximately 30 yrs ago. At 47 I found out I had inherited genetic alpha one antitrypsin deficiency. I’m considered stage 4. I don’t cough much at all unless I’m having a flare up. I’m due for my one yr assessment in April. I’m curious to see where my Fev1 is at since a yr ago.
Janetxxx1957 in reply to
Yes please let me know your result, what was it last year?
in reply to Janetxxx1957
25%
Janetxxx1957 in reply to
Gosh, I hope you get some good news
in reply to Janetxxx1957
I can tell I’ve gone downhill but will find out next month as to how much. I’m winded easier. Just arranging myself in bed makes me short of breath. Showering is a struggle. My being an alpha one ZZ I Know is progressive. With some the progression goes faster than others. I also have RA and the two together take a toll on other organs. I’m on enough meds that I’m still comfortable. So I just pace myself walking etc and keep on truckin
Gosh I thought I would improve if I stopped smoking lol
That’s just it. You might! Everyone’s COPD is unique to them. Fingers crossed for you x
Thankyou Brian
I didn’t improve either. I used to cough when I smoked but after I stopped I never coughed at all for months. I do cough some now but not a lot.
Hi. I stopped 9 yrs ago and never suffered a cough etc.
janetxxx1957
Hi, be grateful that you don't cough, it will likely come to you in due course. It's good that you have given up the cigs an don't feel bad. Your lungs will thank you, they are precious things look after them, & keep off the cigs.
Good on you.
IKeith
Thanks keith, I can't even vape since I had the flare up, that does make me cough, so no chance of me smoking again, I can't!
janetxxx1957
HI, good for you, even vaping can be as bad so you are well off out of it altogether.
IKeith
What does a flare up feel like. I get frightened just thinking about it. Dr. only says you'll know when it happens. I'm really scared here tonight. Does it mean your copd progresses to a lower level. Hope someone can ans me. X
Jayneh13 in reply to
I had lots of flare ups before I was diagnosed with copd I just thought I was chesty you probably have as well it’s like you are becoming chesty a lot of mucus you notice you are a bit shorter of breath. I only started worrying about it once I was diagnosed get on top of it quick try not to let it get hold. Try to look after yourself and stay healthy as poss. Please don’t get frightened.
in reply to Jayneh13
Thank you for answering me. My fear is going from moderste as I am just now to severe. I haven't came to grips with copd yet . Panic attacks the worst. Going to try CBT and hope this helps. Thank goodness for this site and your kind words. M
It is scary, was my first time, didn't even know I had a problem. Started with a funny throat, then a cough, like whooping cough, the next day had whistling with every breath, then I was struggling to breath, all really quick, had to call the paramedics, low oxygen levels, so given oxygen, needless to say I've not smoked since. I think flare ups do cause damage, that's why we have to try and avoid them, I'm still learning!!
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