A bit about me - Im female and in my late 50's. I have smoked since my late teens. I developed asthma and a bad cough back in the 80's. It sort of creeps up on you doesnt it? I grew accustomed to them and adapted my life accordingly. I dont have any real friends or family support.
I was diagnosed with COPD about 18 months ago. I knew it was coming i had all the warning signs and my drs had been telling me for years that I wasnt going to be one of the lucky ones who got away with it. Now I have it and I am terrified of the future. I dont mind the idea of death but the thought of dying slowly and in pain I find horrific. Im currently trying to give up smoking but am failing every time. I find doctors mainly unsympathetic and wont do much unless I give up smoking. Any tips on this please? Have tried acupuncture, hynoptherapy, patches and gum.
I will stop rambling now and just say its great to meet you all and I feel I have got support for the first time. xxx
I smoked for over 40 years and giving it up was the hardest thing I;ve ever had to do. I started by making rules for myself. I would leave my cigarettes in another room or in my car so I had to make an effort to get one. I also set a rule for myself that I wouldn't smoke in any room other than the kitchen and not smoke in my car. That's how I began. As I went along I made more rules. No smoking before breakfast then progressed to no smoking until 9am. I continued making rules for myself (and yes I would occasionally slip) but I continued. I think it took me almost 10 months to finally realize I could survive without them. Once you quit for awhile you will notice you can breathe better. Try to walk as much as you can because it will help your breathing.
Like copdliving I smoked for over 40 years but managed to give up by using patches.
Admittedly my lungs where in such bad condition that I could not physically inhale smoke any more but I thought if I don't do this now I will be dead.
The patches worked fantasticaly for me and after 8 weeks I no longer needed them.
6 months further on I have no craving for nicotine whatsoever, I feel 100% healthier, my lung function has improved beyond measure and my COPD is now under control by use of various inhalators.
Hypercat, you must firstly stop smoking as this will limit any further damage to your lungs. Within a very short period of time - weeks not months - you WILL notice improvement. I
Hello I'm fairly new to this site and yes its great,there are some realy helpful supportive people here! Pleased you are intent on giving up smoking! it will help slow down the process,and there's lots you can do to improve your lung fuction...exercise being number 2 on the list after quitting smoking! eat a healthy diet and adopt a positive attitude! its eight years since I gave up smoking and its worth the effort! good luck and dont give up giving up,quality of life is so important!
I just joined this Forum yesterday and was so sorry to read you've been diagnosed with COPD.
I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis in February this year and for someone who doesn't like taking medicines, I'm now on 8 pills a day plus a Seretide inhaler and Nasonex spray twice a day for the rest of my life!.
Anyway, to answer your query . . . . . I gave up smoking 6+ years ago and so far all is going well.
I'm 62 and I started smoking in my late teens - I smoked between 15-20 a day. Like most smokers, I'd tried to give up many times and had even managed 18 months at one point but it didn't last.
The best way for me was through the Allan Carr clinic. It's not cheap at £225.00 (the cost in 2006) but it worked immediately. I believe he has clinics all over the country and his course is on CD and in books. This may not be the way for everyone but his method does have a high success rate.
I totally agree with 'copdliving's' comment that you can survive without cigarettes. Good Luck
Hello, You will find lots of people here who are living good lives with COPD - it can be done, just at a slower pace! I didnt find it too difficult to give up smoking from 40 a day when I was lucky enough to get pregnant but my husband found it much harder. He sort of weaned himself off eventually by banning himself from smoking in the house - he had to make the effort to go out! Good Luck ! TAD xx
I'm glad you have found the community supportive and understanding.
Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things a person can do, it is one of the things we use for support when things are bad or stressful. Being diagnosed with COPD is one of those times. The most important factor in giving up smoking is 'being at the right place emotionally' - a person may relapse a few times before stopping for good.
Don't give up - there is a lot of support for you.
Feel free to call us at the helpline on 03000 030 555.
You're definitely not alone hypercat, I've been trying to give up smoking for more years than I care to remember, but it has a tight grip on me I was diagnosed with COPD in 2000 and am still going strong (with the aid of oxygen and my BiPAP machine so don't despair of a bleak outlook.
Life is what YOU make of it and I'm sure you will make the best
Don't give up giving up, you've YEARS ahead of you yet !
I too had difficulty in stopping smoking,i used the lozengers but..i am now addicted to them even after 6 years.My consultant says its not ideal as i am still nicotine addicted although a smaller dosage but i am not getting the harmful affects of chemicals or tar.
i have had severe emphysema for 6 years but manage to keep very active
good luck
Welcome Hypercat
Giving up the smokes is the best thing you can do for yourself.
I believe if you can change your psychology toward smoking you can achieve smoke free. Kicking the habit isn't easy but it is so worth it as you find your life beginning to improve especially if you incorporate that with a pulmonary rehabilitation course.
I stopped using patches (after trying everything else!). I had attempting stopping several times before that without success, but once I had been diagnosed with emphysema/COPD then the choice to be smoke free became more important than continuing to smoke.
There is so much help out there now for support in stopping smoking, with lots of options available to help you. I think talking with the cessation nurse at your GP surgery may give you some more tips, also the smoke free website.
I know someone who achieved smoke through Allen Carr's book and tape, there is something for everyone once you make the decision to become a non smoker.
I was " lucky " with my smoking. I smoked for about 40 years ( rollups ). I had chest pains and was diagnosed with angina. As I don't drink and not overweight I put it down to smoking. As I was in hospital for about 5 days I couldn't smoke anyway so that was a good start. I had one last smoke and that was that. When I felt like a smoke I'd think of the angina and that was enough to put me off. The other thing I used to do was to watch the trigger points where I'd want a smoke, a cup of teas, for instance. After a few weeks the craving stopped and I haven't smoked since or wanted to. A few months after I was diagnosed with COPD. If it stays as it is I can put up with it like it is so I make sure I walk everywhere I can. I'm 62.
Just think of how smoking is shortening your life and how it will prolong your life if you give it up.
Thankfully I have never smoked a single cigarrette but I have passive smoked a hell of a lot. My parents smoked all throughout my childhood until my mum decided that was it and went cold turkey. She was in the right place mentally I guess. My dad who has IPF and Emphysema smoked on and off for most of his life and he got told very directly a few years ago that if he didn't quit he would be dead in a year. He left the surgery and threw his packet of fags away. Hasn't touched them since. I am immensely proud of them both and I feel quite sad when I see youngsters today smoking, thinking it's cool. Fast forward 40 years and we know what will happen to some of them.
Champix has excellent feedback, you can get that on prescription as well as various patches and inhalators. Try it all, if that is what it takes. One step at a time and for every cigarette that you don't have, pat yourself on the back as it is a step in the right direction.
Hi, Dont give up (well only the smoking) It is very very hard and I am no spring chicken either and because of my lifestyle in the fresh air every day from dawn to dusk , I thought it would never happen to me.
My previous doctors, didnt even suggest I give up smoking, they just were not interested, I was made to feel a nuisance, our sheep had a better life with the vet.
There are other drugs that are only available on prescription but they can have side effects and therefore you need a doctor that is awake and supportive. I finally managed (since last October) to quit using the patches together with the gum and also quit with the unsupportive doctors surgery. My life is very different now.
Good luck and keep trying, Rome was not built in a day, so they say.
thank you all so much for taking the trouble to email me.
I was overwhelmed with all the replies to my blog and all the g8 advice I got. I have tried champix and it gave me bad stomach ache but it was definately working before i stopped. I think i will try that again.
I definitely feel im not alone any more and i am so glad i came upon this website. I am encouraged to see how you all are coping with the dreadful COPD.
Thank you especially stitch for your beautiful message. xx
(((((((((((((roomies)))))))))))
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I was diagnosed with COPD in 2000 and am still going strong (with the aid of oxygen and my BiPAP machine so don't despair of a bleak outlook.
Waiting anxiously for CT results
OXYGEN LITRES INCREASED FROM 8 LITRES TO 10 LITRES
Asthma advice/sharing your symptoms/peace of mind please. 
persistent cough for 3 years
