Emjay

[Sukeen1]

Could you please tell me why my breathlessness has got worse since stopping smoking.i have asthma and chronic bronchitis so this puts me at level 2 of copd, I have no intention of starting to smoke again as this is my 3 month mark, but would like to know why I am finding the breathlessness unbearable.

[EmJay Partner]

Hi Sukeen1, it's great to hear that you are doing so well with stopping smoking

When a person smokes, there are lots of chemicals that are inhaled. There are a number of reasons that some of these chemicals are put in, some of which we may not be sure of why. So, for example we do know that cocoa is put in so that it makes the cigarette 'more palatable' to the smoker. - Although most smokers probably wouldn't say that they could taste it!

We also know that there is a chemical (I'm not sure of it's name to be honest ) in tobacco that once inhaled, it numbs and widens the airways. This allows the smoke to travel down the windpipe more easily and then enables for the smoke to reach the lungs faster, making the smoker become addicted more quickly. Now, if this chemical wasn't in the tobacco, chances are that the smoker would cough and splutter with each 'puff' and this would lead to it being quite an unpleasant experience - one of which would make the smoker not want to smoke again.

So, when somebody stops smoking who has COPD, (quite often caused by smoking in the first place) they find that their breathing initially becomes more difficult. This is because they are not breathing in, (or should I say smoking?!) the chemical that numbs and widens their airways. Enabling them to breath better. However, should they continue to smoke, their COPD will become worse and will also lead to other health issues arising.

It seems that smoking helps them, but really it is slowly killing them off. It's quite sly really when you think about it

Stopping smoking is the very best thing that you can do to help and although there is already damage done, YOU WILL STOP THE DISEASE FROM PROGRESSING.

It may seem to be a bit of a catch 22 initially but please, please persevere and you will find that your breathing will get better. Just give your body time to heal in the best way that it naturally can.

Please be sure to let your health care professional know that you have stopped smoking as they will understand about this and will be able to take this into consideration.

You are doing ever so well and your health will definitely thank you for stopping

You can do this !

[Sukeen1 11 Month Winner in reply to EmJay]

Thank you, been to gp tonight he explained a lot, just waiting now to go to pulmonary rehab gp said it can take up to 2 yrs but I certainatly will never smoke again, my life is more important than anything.