Smoking- does it really matter at this point?

I see many posts of people who quit smoking 15 years ago or more but end up with copd and/or lung cancer. It really makes me wonder why I quit. I gained 20 lbs, ( I’ve never been overweight before) and still can’t breathe outside in the summer- heat and humidity kill me. It gets better now in the fall. I really hate being fat; if I’m sick or soon to be sicker, why bother with the smoking?

[pepapod]

I guess the point is that we don’t know...if we will get a serious disease...which cigarette will put is in a serious disease state...but we do know that smoking never helped a single person be healthier, so if we’re going to err, err on the side of what we know. At least that’s how I’ve gotten through quitting after 30 + years smoking and through terrible quit side effects (anxiety, headaches, depression, etc.). It’s tempting to pick up the smoke again and try to get back to the “old me”, but the old me was going to probably end up very sick sooner than later. I’ll take the chance that the quitting side effects are temporary and choose to believe the quit will help either avoid or delay getting seriously ill. Every decision matters, but we each get to choose what we want. 🙂

[Hidden in reply to pepapod]

That is definitely the “glass half full” approach!

[valiejean]

I have been lugging around an oxygen tank since 2012 and suffocating trying to breathe. Your choice. Keep smoking if you want this to be your life. Or do what you can now to save what’s left of your lungs. You came to the wrong place if you want approval to smoke IMHO. Keep up the good work and good luck!

[Hidden in reply to valiejean]

Definitely the flip side- thanks for the straight up answer. That sucks .the tank. Not looking forward to that. I if I smoke that will be me sooner than later . I’m really sorry you have to deal with that.

[K-Kilcoyne in reply to Hidden]

I've felt the way you do, I got the flip side answer, made me think, awfully happy that this site is here.

[Hidden in reply to K-Kilcoyne]

Yeah makes me think for sure. This site is a good place for a reality check

[phil4u]

If you cannot walk without getting out of breath it is a time when you reassess your life (you are what you put in) Your body and it has been eight years for myself and if I had not quit smoking ,including vaporise the liquid , I would be dead.

[tillynhamish]

Because if you do not you will be connected to an pxygen tube 24/7 as i am and cannot walk ten feet without gasping for breath

[Hidden in reply to tillynhamish]

That sucks. How long did it take to get to that point?

[tillynhamish in reply to Hidden]

I was diagnosed in 2000 so its been 18 years, i got put on to oxygen 2016, it helps but still get breathless when doing anything

[Feelingblessed2013]

I was diagnosed with emphysema and lung cancer 13 years after I quit smoking. My oncologist told me that the emphysema was probably pretty much a given because I grew up exposed to second hand smoke almost 24/7, but she had no idea where the cancer came from. My PCP thinks the LC may have been from radon exposure because of where I had lived.

In the past 5 years I have lost 2 lung lobes to cancer. I came home from the hospital this last time (6 months ago) on oxygen 24/7. I have since gotten my lung function back enough that I no longer need the supplemental oxygen. My oxygen level now stays in the mid to upper 90's. I know that would not have been possible if I were still smoking.

Smoking not only damages your lungs, it also damages other internal organs, like your heart. Smoking also causes calcium build up, makes it harder to heal from any type of surgery, illnesses tend to hold on longer. Smoking can rot your teeth, cause mouth and or throat cancer, and it smells really bad.

As for the 20 pounds you have gained, maybe try to eat a little healthier, exercise a little more?

[Hidden in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Very good points you make. Wow have you been through it- a true survivor. Makes my weight gain seem insignificant; but it’s hard for me because I’ve always been slim or at least a normal weight ( as I got older) . Vain and shallow as I may be, I don’t even recognize myself. Plus I’m 53, so I’ve got that going against me too. I know I need to exercise- I work an office job. And eat differently. It’s really hard for someone who has always eaten without a thought to suddenly being 20lbs overweight. But that’s nothing compared to what you’ve been through. Thank you for your reply. May God bless you

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to Hidden]

The only time I was ever "normal weight" was 10 years ago when I was a real estate agent. I was constantly on the go, I worked 7 days a week and managed to get down to a size 12. Since then I have had to leave that job because of back problems. I have had multiple surgeries, and worked part time as an apartment manager for 8 years until I retired. I am now 61 and weigh 190 lbs. I have gone back to eating healthier (most of the time), and I am trying to walk more. I can now get to the end of my country driveway without stopping, but still gotta pause on the way back. I am no longer walking fast, but I am walking.

You are not suddenly 20 lbs overweight, it creeps up on us slowly, without being noticed until the clothes get so tight you no longer have anything in your closet that fits. We tend to gain weight as we age, quiting smoking just adds to it.

[Hidden in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

It really did- over 7 months of quitting. I do take meds that add to it as well. I made an appointment with Medical Weight Loss Centers for next week- I’m going to take control of this extra weight. Smoking won’t make me lose it, but following their plan will!

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to Hidden]

I wish you the best of luck. I hope you succeed.

[JoM49]

Hi Meow2018, I do understand your reasoning and of course it is entirely your decision if you want to go back to being addicted to a very expensive way of losing weight. I gave up smoking about 6 yrs ago when an exacerbation kept me in hospital for 10 days. I felt so responsible for my illness and very grateful for the care and 'non bullying over smoking' by all the staff and decided that it wasn't fair to continue smoking and still expect NHS to be there when I needed them.

I still have the odd 'craving' for a ciggy (and use a plastic one instead) but I honestly don't think I have enough puff to smoke one now and when it comes to needing oxygen I don't wan't to go up like a bomb. Also I am struggling to put on weight because my breathing is so bad. Fev 1 - 16%.

Good Luck whatever you decide to do.

[Hidden in reply to JoM49]

Hi JoM49,

Like many here, you put a different perspective of the situation. There’s worse things than being a bit overweight, and I can lose it. I went back to smoking for a couple of days, but reading some testimonies here got me back off the cigs. I can’t totally fix myself, it’s too late for that, but I can slow it down. I know my oxygen tank day will come. I’d rather it be later than sooner. Thanks for your support🙂

[JoM49 in reply to Hidden]

You are not alone as is proved by the number of replies. Take care and good luck with the diet. Exercise is one of the best things for COPD and will probably help with the weight too.

[christina1947]

Hi meow I stopped smoking jan after horrendous chest infection grounded me if I had carried on I dread to think how I would be today 10 months later. Only ever a light smoker but for over 50 years I am 71 and want to live and enjoy life for a good more years also my son 27 very much needs me. I maybe boarderline copd with fev1 69% not pushing for diagnosis just keeping well from cigs and smokers feel better now than when I was much younger and a smoker NEVER TOO LATE Take care xxx

[tillynhamish]

It's your choice

[Flowergirl18]

I know exactly how you feel. It's been almost a year since I quit and I still wish I could smoke. I gained 25 pounds and absolutely can't take it off. I feel miserable because of my weight but I do know that I would feel a lot more miserable if I couldn't breathe. I will not live on oxygen so therefore I try to do everything I can to quit feeling sorry for myself because I had to quit. ( Not saying that you feel sorry for yourself.) I just know that I do. Smoking would definitely effect my ability to breathe. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Flowergirl18]

Thanks Flowergirl-

It sucks being overweight. I take it you’ve never been overweight either? That’s my deal. I’ve never been overweight until now and I feel so unattractive- although a stoma and/ or oxygen tank would look worse. Good luck to you too

[Kristicats]

If breathing is an issue do you think smoking will make that better or worse?

Causing more damage to your lungs is going to make things worse.

Once your lungs and body get used to functioning without poison the lungs may recover somewhat . Some damage is done already despite when ( now or in future) you get diagnosed/ labelled.

It’s Russian roulette to continue smoking with lung disease.

You could sort the weight issue out once you are comfortable with quitting the killing sticks. The quit site is a good support on here. Good luck. We’ve all been there. Cx

[shadow4me]

I gave up smoking a year ago after reading all the positive results a year later I have put 2stone 8lb in weight and to be honest no major health gain x

[shadow4me]

I tend to agree with you I have been smoke free a year have gained 2 and a half stone and all summer have been attacked by upper and sinus troubles I normally only get ill twice a year lol Im feeling was it worth it I thought that it would get rid of post nasal drip and pleghm I seem to have it worse now .But on the positive side my purse is a lot heavier so I will continue to not smoke xx

[Hidden in reply to shadow4me]

Excellent point. A pack costs approximately $8 (USD) in Michigan, where I live - $2,929 per year!

[judson]

We really don't know for sure. sometimes I wish I could smoke, but I am sure I never will. I do not want to become worse than I am. Judson