Enphyseamia/Smoking

Oldernotwiser

Bryando wrote: »

I smoke 60 a day and I'm 24, smoked since 16. I have a cough all the time, I have the 'smokers cough.. I'm fed up with doc saying chest infection. However advised to get looked at for COPD by the lung foundation. Yet nothing appears to happen

You have to be proactive with your own healthcare but this also means giving up smoking.

Bryando

I've mentioned to my GP, however told that the cough is a result of heavy smoking. I'm not at the right place to stop, nor do I think it would be a safe move. Extra stress etc etc.

Oldernotwiser

Bryando wrote: »

I've mentioned to my GP, however told that the cough is a result of heavy smoking. I'm not at the right place to stop, nor do I think it would be a safe move. Extra stress etc etc.

Having a lung condition is pretty stressful, as is spending over 100.00 per week on cigarettes when you're on benefits!

margaretclare

Bryando wrote: »

I've mentioned to my GP, however told that the cough is a result of heavy smoking. I'm not at the right place to stop, nor do I think it would be a safe move. Extra stress etc etc.

I don't understand what you mean about 'not at the right place to stop'. Where IS the 'right place'? And what's unsafe about giving yourself a better chance of a healthy life and future?

I thought I'd heard every excuse and then some, from seeing at close quarters the last 20 years of my first husband's life - although, thank goodness, he never smoked as much as 60 a day. We could never have afforded that!!! But certainly, he might well be alive today but for his smoking habit instead of dying in his 50s.

My second husband developed an acute chest infection many years ago, at a time when he smoked perhaps 5 a day. The feeling of not being able to breathe scared him so much - 'frit the pants off me' as he puts it - that he never smoked again. He carried a packet around with him in his pocket for weeks until they fell to shreds and he threw them away. My first husband, however, had many such scares and they did not scare him enough.

Losing weight will also improve health, vitality and fitness.

lilmishap

Have they put him on any steroids? My boyfriends dad has been house bound for over five years with emphysemia. The gps put him on steroids several times and each time he gained a load of weight. But his weight has been fluctuating since he became ill. Meds mess with his appetite. The coughing messes with EVERYTHING esp meals(his words not mine).
The coughing and lack of breath, despite being exhausting Aren't using calories the way moving your body does.
I agree whole heartedly about the fear of Emphysema. Its a long and drawn out affliction. it stopped me smoking 3 years ago.

But here weight was also gained as a result of not doing anything. Although I couldnt make myself complain at the time cause he had just been told what he had.

Bryando

I will stop one day maybe. I enjoy a smoke, had family members smoke with cancer til they died.

Maybe it would be a good idea to cut down, however to go cold Turkey no chance. I've had family die of Cancer etc whom never smoked. It's your luck, what is for you shall not go by you.

Vicky123

No he isn't on steroids but then he never went back after the all clear X-Ray. I do understand that they don't want to put people off quitting and husband wasn't out of breath when he gave up initially.
I will just go ahead an make an appointment at the doctors and present him with it on the day, if he does have COPD it would probably really help to lose weight anyway.
He gained weight by substituting food/sweets/chocolate etc for the ciggies, very much an addictive personality although thankfully no alcohol problems, he still uses the inhalater for stopping smoking but I understand that is safe.
Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated.

margaretclare

Bryando wrote: »

I will stop one day maybe. I enjoy a smoke, had family members smoke with cancer til they died.

Maybe it would be a good idea to cut down, however to go cold Turkey no chance. I've had family die of Cancer etc whom never smoked. It's your luck, what is for you shall not go by you.

I'm not impressed by any of those excuses - have heard them all before. I've even heard them from people who'd had limb amputations as a result of their smoking habit.

Life is too valuable to play Russian roulette with.

Oldernotwiser

margaretclare wrote: »

I'm not impressed by any of those excuses - have heard them all before. I've even heard them from people who'd had limb amputations as a result of their smoking habit.

Life is too valuable to play Russian roulette with.

I still don't see how someone can manage to spend 100.00 per week on cigarettes when they're on benefits!

margaretclare

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I still don't see how someone can manage to spend 100.00 per week on cigarettes when they're on benefits!

Nor do I. I didn't think they even got that much in benefits income!