Welcome to this group. The most important thing you can do right now is to quit smoking. You are lucky that it is still considered to be mild. Stopping now will keep you at that stage for a long time. I continued to smoke until I had to go on oxygen, and now using oxygen 24/7. Do whatever you can to get rid of your cigarettes. Being on a leash is no fun.

I know ... quitting HAS to work this time. Has to. Thank you for the welcome and the advice. Well taken.

You can do it. When I was diagnosed 22 years ago, after smoking for 40 years I went home that night and after two years of trying to quit, I succeeded. I've managed it with a 12 hour inhaler, a rescue inhaler, and for the last 10 years , oxygen at night. I am now 76. My husband couldn't quit when I did. He quit 6 months before he had a massive stroke. He had shortness of breath at that time but it was too late. He passed away one week after the stroke at 68. Do all you can to quit. Your quality of life will improve greatly. Two years ago I developed a malignant lung tumor, had it removed, and 30 radiation treatments followed. I guess I'm still here to tell you to never quit trying. it can be done. Best of luck to you. Dolores

Hi WV. Haven't been on DS much in the last few months. When I came back , there was this new DS and I find it so different. I am so sorry that you wound up on our site. Your helped me a lot through the members forum and the "no questions only your comments allowed" forum that I wish I could do more for you. This one piece of advice is worth gold in the bank. Give up the cigarettes immediately. I was diagnosed in 2008 after a respiratory failure and up until then, I only had occasional shortness of breath episodes. After a scary week in the hospital, I came out with meds and oxygen and that night I threw out every cigarette I had and haven't smoked since. Unfortunately I waited longer that I should have but the wakeup call was real. If you start exercising to keep your body in condition and change your diet this will help. By exercising, I am referring to the respiratory exercises that include the upper and lower body as walking is exertion and that is to be considered in the future. Everyone has different symptoms but it will pay to just listen to your body and take care of it. I wish you the very best in the future. Please stop the smokes!!!! Hugs,

I am pretty clear on the importance of quitting smoking. When I tried before, and I tried HARD, I got so sick I swore I would not try it again OUTPATIENT, ... but that has now changed. I HAVE TO QUIT .... and as soon as possible. I have to, and I know it. I know it. I guess I can do it, .. so many have. Thank you all for the support.

One of the things that helped me quit was when I visualized myself as a sick old person who would cough and smoke in front of my family. I didn't want my children to say" Mom just wouldn't quit" I wanted to show them what willpower looked like. But most of all I did it for myself. You can do it. You are worth being healthy and happy.

Keep on keeping on! I am 56, have been diagnosed with stage 3 copd for about 3 years... quit smoking in 2007 with the help of Chantix and still chew nicorette :( ok, though, I can breathe, even if I am limited...

You are all TOTALLY in the right. I must quit. Will be discussing it SERIOUSLY with doctor very soon. I repeat ... when I tried before .. I REALLY got sick ... like a heroin junkie gets sick. Really sick.

I quit just over 2 years ago, ended up in the hospital and almost died. After a 3 week coma, I woke up with a patch on me. Luckily my doctor had them put that on me and by time I got out of the hospital, I was quit, I knew I could never smoke again. After 16 weeks of Pulmonary rehab, I started low impact aerobics and then water aerobics, this will help your breathing. Welcome and I hope you will be able to quit. Drink lots of water, eat hard candy (preferably sugar free) to save your teeth, and walk long and hard to let the anger out.

You are all SOOOOO supportive. Thank you. Struggling a little bit in getting a Dr. appt ... but intend to take this on to the best of my ability. Thank you all again.

Welcome WanderingVet

Wishing you every success quitting smoking and I am sure the doc can come up with an inhaler that will help you. the good news is you have just the early signs and by kicking the habit you will have a good chance of staying stable, check out a PR course if you can access one, this will help you manage the illness and your systems successfully.

Best wishes Peta

thank you so much. Waiting for the VA to get me an appointment. At the moment, nothing available until NOVEMBER. Glad I should be able to breathe until then. What a scandal. Thank you all again.

bst thing is to quit before you end up like me. just make up your mind your health and breathing depend on it. I could not get my breath anymore. chantix helped but you got to make up your mind that yuo will get worse if you dont quit. I go to smoking board everyday and make a pledge not to smoke. both these boards are very slow because of the upgrade and everyone left because they could not log in or could not understand how it works now. this board used to be very acvtive but not anymore. just a few of the older members here now.

Thank you, Gracenme. I get your point. Now it is a matter of ability.

WV, By your age, why aren't you using Medicare for Dr appts? We are retired Military and only use the military Tricare for supplemental. It would probably be much more sooner that you could see the doctor. Luck to you.