COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
My FEV was 51% so I am stage 2, breathing down stage 3. Since I quit smoking will that halt the progression or does it still get worse? And how quickly? Or is it one of those things where everyone is different and I just can't know until it happens?
Quitting smoking was the first, best, kindest thing you could do. That alone will slow generally slow the progression of COPD greatly. Now it is a matter of protecting yourself from other damaging airborne inflluences (dust, smog, sick people, etc.), eating well and taking the right medications. We all progress differently with this disease, so it is difficult to predict what is next - either good or bad. So take any predictions with a truckload of salt, as only God knows our time - and many of us have far outlived those predictions enjoyably...
Take care,
Dennis
God bless
Thank you for your comments,as I've been reading them ,and only you that have been thru COPD, know how important it is for me, to STOP, and I am going to.
I am going to the Cardiology appt, my first one today, and i know he will look at me when he sees i've been smoking, and tell me to STOP!!!!!
sO, I ALREADY plan on doing so tomm, with the patch. Tomm is my QUIT DAY!!! I"m ready!
Boo
There is a smoking cessation group here that can provide you a bunch of support for quitting: http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Smoking-Addiction/support-group
Dennis
I strongly recommend you check out www.quitnet.com. Quitnet is a very active support forum for people who are quitting/have quit smoking. (As of this moment, there are over 600 people online, and it's early.) It is a good place for info on quitting and support 24/7.
Susan
Quiting smoking was the best move you could have made!! I know it is hard, but do your best to stay off them.
This disease has no cure, but can be slowed down with proper care, exercise, good nutrition, and staying away from smoking, smokers,(2nd hand smoke) .
The progress is different for everyone, so some may slow it down more than others.
Stay away from harsh chemicals, bleach, ammonia, ect, because inhaling these can lead to pneumonia. Dust, hair spray, any aresol sprays, smog, about anything you can inhale, can be a irritant,
Do not rely so much on numbers, but rather get in a good rehab exercise program, and get with a good nutritionist, and get your self as healthy as possible.
As the days/weeks/months/years pass and your lung function gets worse, you will be useing your auxillary muscles to help you breathe, so it is very important to get those muscles built up, especially the legs, because they use more oxygen, being the bigger muscles.
You seem to have a long way to go, so you are in a good position to start now getting in the best shape possible,you will be glad you did.
Blessings
BJ
I also use the Spiriva inhaler each day; take Mucinex Expectorant and NAcetyl Cysteine.
Having other conditions means I am on coumadin and other meds for life so I try to offset everything else with research, healthy nutrition and avoiding anything, or anyone, who has a good chance of making me sicker. It is always a work in progress but each day is a gift.
Take care, Hugs, Cindy