COPD & Emphysema Support Group

Hi Kyle; You can look forward to all that flem and
mucus clearing up when you quit smoking.

I noticed an improvement within days, with the coughing
and flem completely cleared up within 4 weeks.

Never tried Chantix, but have heard it is very effective.
(See the Chantix thread).

I would recommend buying some gum, to keep your
hands and mouth busy, but maybe its not necessary
with the Chantix.

I would make up a list of your symptons and specific
questions before your appointment. Take care. Ted

good for you for trying to quit smoking! the best thing you can do for yourself. really!
i was stupid too! and when i finally went to the docs...he sent me home with an oxygen tank!
so, i applaud you for quitting before you got one of those!
make sure you keep moving. alot of us tend to lose our ability to do things...then we have to go to rehab to get us more self suffiecent.
i'm cheering you on to the non smoker list!
margaret

Start walking! Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Even if you can't go very far, or have to rest, no matter....it all counts. Also, it will help you quit smoking. That's what I did when I quit 10 years ago. I used the gum, and walked as much as I could, sometimes 2-3 times a day.

If the outdoor air bothers you, walk in a store or a mall.

Welcome to DS and good luck to you.

Thank you all for your responses and info. I thoght I would get a bicycle and try that for some exercise.

Hi Kyle!
Glad you found us,sorry you had to.
About all I will add to the excellent advice already given is to be kind on yourself.
When many of us started smoking,nobody knew (or as recent suits have shown admitted to knowing) all the damage done by smoking.
By time we did,either the hook was too firmly set or we thought that those were the things that happened to other people.
In our society today there are a legion of things that contribute to getting this disease.Smog/pollution,poor workplaces..the list goes on.Yes,we may have contributed to our getting COPD but IT IS NOT OUR FAULT!
DON'T accept people putting you down or treating you worse than they should because "you brought it on yourself".Most important of all,don't do it to yourself.Guilt uses up valuable energy better used in keeping ahead of this disease as best we can.
Hang in there Kyle,hope we get to know you better.
Brian

Hi:

Dont beat yourself up for smoking, most of us got here the same way you did. What are you doing to get back on the right track? I go to pulmonary rehab and they are great. If you need any ideas, let me know
Jan

Hi Kyle,
Well, welcome, but sorry you had to join us like this. I can tell you, it can be a lot easier and better than it seems!! Main thing is to quit the smoking, and it's not always easy. I've been fighting with it again [right now] on the quiting. I'm back on the Chantix, the only thing that finally worked for me. Different people go thru different reactions, so just notice your own, and try not to let others get the way of what you """think""" it might be..ok?
EXERCISE!!! This is the best thing of all. I got myself a small bike that sits right in the lvrm and I use it almost every day, other times I try to walk this long hallway, but I need to do more. I am just coming out of a real bad bout of an exacerbation from early April and well, I mean, finally feeling good this past like 2 weeks or so. Very slow going for me..
For me tho, it was mostly depression and anxiety.
Ask your doctor and all quetions you can think of. I can't afford to go to rehab on the insurance that I am still on from work, altho I actually stopped working the middle of May. It's a long story, to be told later.
Anyway, exercise is needed for your whole body uses the much needed oxygen that your lungs are fighting to produce and having such a problem doing.
The more you walk or move around, etc. the better you will feel in general, truly, honestly, you will.
It won't happen over nite. Now, you didn't say what level or degree you have of COPD, and there are levels, etc. If you are lucky and in the early stages, man, you got it made!
Let me know, or send me a msg if you want to talk as I have unlimited long distance calling and we could just talk for a little bit and perhaps that might help you.
Anything that makes you wonder about anything at all, have a tablet around and write it down, call the doctor or take it with you next time you see the doc.
Are you on any medications? Which ones?
A lot of people here at DS have a lot of info that can help...we are ALL DIFFERENT, AND ALL REACT DIFFERENTLY to the drugs, etc...and financially, etc. But, we are all in this together and quite the support team that can help you with what ever we can.
Hang in, we can help, God Bless you, S

Hi Kyle. So sorry for your loss. I hope Chantix works well for you. I am still smoking, but I don't have that little voice in my head telling me to quit. I think the first step in beating any habit is you have to want to quit. My life was changed four years after two heart attacks. During the second heart attack, my femoral artery was torn during surgery, causing blood loss to my heart, brain, and so on. I was clinically dead for about 5 minutes. And what is my point?? I learned all I could about COPD, CAD, emphysema, as well learning all I could about the medications that were given to me. I have been keeping a journal of all my meds, all emergency room trips, my good days and my not so good days. I keep it updated weekly. That way, in an emergency, I can print it out while I am waiting for the paramedics. Be sure to list any known allergies. And because I have four different doctors, I print one to take to office visits.
By keeping my journal, and educating myself, I am empowered over these silly little illnesses. Another great source for information is your pharmacist. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing...becky

I disagree with your defining your past as STUPID! You did something millions of other people do! And have NO problems! You got caught!**** I've heard good-&-bad about chantix.
Whatever works!!!

My advice: Educate yourself on COPD/Emphysema * I prefer to call it Emphysema. Like calling a rock, a rock!!!
*And now it's time to take care of #1(you)

DS is a good site to get that education!

I agree with Wild Oats; Many of us made decisions years ago based on no info. or fraudulent info. In that way we can't be held responsible for our disease. Life is still good and there's still a lot we can do to help ourselves, reading the good contributions to this web site being one of them.