Here’s an open, honest and frank story. This isn't a pity me story just an opportunity to vent with a like minded group. Its not every day we get to meet those who can relate to our plight.
As a young child I had mild enough asthma but I did end up in hospital at about 6 years of age for a few days. My dear mother managed it well taking me to consultants and I grew out of it in my early teens. Sadly if my asthma had have been more severe I may have never smoked.
I had a difficult relationship with my strict and abusive father, I rebelled against him and foolishly began smoking @ 17.
I didn’t get on well with smoking as it aggravated my asthma but I was a big drinker and binge smoked and drank for years and years at the weekends. The association between alcohol and cigarettes was one I couldn’t break.
On paper I was also an alcoholic but it was the 90’s and things were different, smoking and drinking was more prevalent. This was the era of the Marlboro Clothing brand, Tobacco Sponsored F1, the arrival of "Superpubs", extended drinking hours and smoking was allowed both on flights (early 90's) & indoors. I was living the dream, making good money and spending it as quick, an indulgent Rock & Roll lifestyle.
Oddly enough I did keep the smoking to the weekends only, mainly due to the fact it impacted my breathing over the following days. I recognised this but a few puffs of Ventolin & felt I could get away with it as long as I was only a social smoker. I had friends with worse asthma that smoked more than me. The thing is they got married and sensible younger, I continued into my early 30’s.
I’m also convinced the term social smoking was coined by the sneaky Tobacco industry.
Now unfortunately my smoking has come home to roost as they say and I beat myself up daily because of this one massive life mistake that impacts everything.
I gave up smoking @ 32 with just a 6 year pack history but I now have difficult asthma with FAO & small airways disease and asthma meds don’t work. I'm 52 now & 20 years smoke free but the legacy lives on.
Now we know from our medical friends that the duration of smoking has more impact that the amount smoked. The pack year argument is really only relevant to those that have smoked 20 a day consistently. You can smoke 5 a day or 20 a day and the impact is not much more apparently.
There’s also a cautionary tale here for any young person with Asthma who smokes and stops by here on a fact find. Asthma is a serious disease and needs to be respected at all costs. I have also learned that the proportion of people with Asthma who smoke is the same as the general population, so if 15% of the population smoke, 15% of Asthmatics do. This needs to change.
Anyone else who smoked with Asthma care to share their story to help placate me?
Written by
ck101
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To be honest you are not on your own. I know a number of asthmatic people who smoked and sadly still do. After reading 2greys articles on the damage caused by asthma on its own smoking on top of that is madness. Sadly I wish people would learn by my mistakes but it appears many wish to learn by making their own.
Yes that report is truly frightening, it even referred to "non smoking asthmatics" developing emphysema. The thing that puzzles me about this report is surely in the last 50 or so years lungs of asthmatics have harvested after death and microscopically analysed showing this pattern. Very bizarre.
I can empathise with the childhood asthma and abusive parent. My stepfather thought it funny to blow his pipe smoke in my face then belt me when I had a coughing fit & couldn't stop. Looking back I think I grew out of it about 7 but it was always there for sports & hills then coming back with a vengeance in my 50s, London pollution didn't help.
My defiance came out the opposite though, I swore I'd never stink like he did or be cruel to my children. I did try smoking as a student, a pack of 10 Players No 6 at the weekend but it wasn't for me, made me nauseous, dizzy & smell like him.
All we can do is lead as healthy a life as possible NOW for the best future we can enjoy. Healthy diet, weight (a work in progress for me), exercise 💪🧎♂️👩🦯🕺🏊♂️💃🧘♀️🛌🥱😴 from a chair if necessary & be good to ourselves
Oh Peege how I would like to punch that ghastly stepdad of yours on the nose for what he did to you. I’m not normally violent but I so hate types like him. 🤬🤬🤬
I try to avoid any news or programmes about things like this, but it’s getting increasingly hard. Today’s terrible news from Kabul is an example. I’ve said it before, the world is a cesspit of inhumanity 😢
Living your life in the totally opposite way to your horrible step-dad is the best thing you could’ve done. Some people let their abusive childhoods define them, but you’ve gone the other way, well done you. My husband’s experience was the same & he determined to be absolutely nothing like his father. He’s the kindest, gentlest & most generous man I know. But it does leave its mark, doesn’t it xxx
Never but then I don't have asthma I stopped within 3 weeks of an emphysema diagnosis, its not easy but needs must when with every cigarette you damage your lungs more increasing risk of more chest infections and yet more lung damage.
So glad you have achieved smoke free now, well done. I have been 17 years smoke free. Sadly I have know those who continued to smoke after diagnosis who are no longer with us.
Me too as a teenager for a bit then at 42 for one year due to stressful year. Gave up and have never looked back. I. Wishing my son 32 would stop too. Lots of people with or without lung conditions smoked at some point, some still do. Don’t beat yourself up history is not changeable now. Well done for quitting! I’m so glad I did too 😊
Over 40 years since I stopped smoking , but it’s mentioned by medical staff every time . My late father smoked a pipe constantly , and cigarette smoke was everywhere , buses, cinemas , hospitals , trains , restaurants , pubs, school staff rooms .
Thank goodness that’s changed .
I don’t think it helps at all to think about the past. It’s done & dusted, the most important thing is to move on. I’ve had severe asthma & other lung problems most of my life, but have never smoked 🤷♀️
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I stopped within 3 weeks of an emphysema diagnosis, its not easy but needs must when with every cigarette you damage your lungs more increasing risk of more chest infections and yet more lung damage.
Trying to stop smoking
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