Good to see a little conversation but it has taken 21 days for this one topic to be discussed.......there-in lies the the issue why the old traditional ways have been replaced by the ''instant'' response in this age of technology........a subject like this would basically get tenfold the amount of replies in less than a few hours with many other topics on the go as well.........we noticed after guys specially the guy who started off as a bit of a know it all ended up as the one who thought me to research n not just ask.....thru him n many others, most now passed on were the ones that kept the forum interesting and informative........towards the end it was very obvious there were the same core group who participated most often.......does not matter how many members forums like to brag about, with no contributions and slow replies is a disaster waithng to happen........then the absolute mess they created here has lost so many familiar characters that it no longer felt like home.......just my opinion....

Wandering Vet, have you looked up pursed lip breathing on youtube, it might help with getting a fuller breath. Take care.

I quit successfully for 2.5 years and started up again a few years ago. Then earlier this year my symptoms started happening and thing started to get noticeably serious for me. I think it was back in January or Feb, I had my first panic attack. Thought I was going to DIE, and apologised to the cat, invoked my parents (who are dead) and asked their forgiveness for anything, in case I would be seeing them again, and also prayed G-d would not take me in. That should tell you it was an actual attack; I never knew what they really were before that night. I kept smoking with the exception of a couple of times that I made it for 2 weeks or 3 days.

Then one night during a minor attack (not a full-on panic attack, but one nevertheless that causes that fight/flight overreaction and which involves suffering through a period of breathlessness), I asked myself if I had finally had enough. Was the pleasure in smoking really that great after all? Or was it merely a mental habit even more than a physical one? Did I want to worsen my condition in every possible way through the continuation of smoking even when I know from people with COPD (not just medical people) that the singlemost best thing you can possibly attack the disease with over all other things is quitting smoking? Or did I want to at least see if I could have a chance at suffering less?

The next morning, I was having one of those days when the clogged lungs will just not clear and the breathlessness and fear and almost immobility are severe. I started to put a cigarette to my mouth and did not even light it, because I did not have the courage. I was afraid of the physical sensation that would result, I was afraid of the mental anguish that might come after that, and I did not want to do that to my body. A couple hours later, I went outside and did the same thing; same reaction. I had just chosen the day to quit. It's not even been a month yet and I am not seeing results in my favour, but I have a lot of work to do and appointments to make as well. Best of luck all around. And also, even though I am Canadian and not American, thank you for your military service.

"also prayed G-d would not take me in" ....that "not" is obviously there by accident

I am 100% VA disabled and get ALL care absolutely free. Dental, eye care, and anything else ever needed including prescriptions.. Of course, that does no good if you can't get an appointment ... I get that, but it has not always been that way. When I became eligible for Medicare, I only took Part A and passed on Part B. Did not need it. I think the VA in my part of the State went through a shortage of Primary Care Doctors which caused the appointment problem I am having. I recently got a new PCP, .. and EXPECT the problem to correct itself. Until 'lately', getting an appointment was no big thing, but became problematic when I did not have a PCP. That has been corrected, .. I think. In fact, I pushed for it and had labs and a consultation just last Thursday. I have been referred to Pulmonary where I will discuss a smoking cessation program. THAT appt is Oct so it appears to be improved even now. Thank you all again for the amazing support and concern.

Hi Vet: I'm 73 and a vet to. Have copd/emphysema now late stage 3. Smoked for 48 years quit smoking and drinking two years ago. If I was able to quit I firmly believe anyone can. I do feel better, had I not quit probably would be gone by now. On oxygen 24/7 and do not like not being able to go do the things I always had. The choice is yours and since your symptoms are in an early stage be sure to make the choice concerning smoking is the right one for you. I will say that stage 3 is something that is it unconceivable for you to imagine right now. I won't tell you the details but I do hope you never get there.