I was warned in my 20s that I should stop smoking, but didn't. Why should I? I had no symptoms. Three years ago (in my 50s) I had a severe chest infection which took months to clear up. I was again told to stop smoking, considered it, but continued as the infection got better. There have been a couple of chest infections since, and I have made a few half hearted attempts to stop smoking, without success. However, three weeks ago I became very short of breath and my condition has rapidly deteriorated. I was diagnosed with COPD and I am now on oxygen for a minimum of 15 hours a day. No one really explained anything to me until recently. Yes, I knew I should stop smoking but did not appreciate the seriousness of the risks to my health, maybe I am stupid or just did not want to know. I feel cheated and let down that I have allowed the condition to get so serious because of a lack of knowledge and only found information because I sought out this site. Surely there should be a better warning system and much more information readily available. In reading others' experiences I have become very scared. I am not ready to die yet. I have now stopped smoking - 5 days - and will take medical advice but it is probably too late for me. I had never heard of COPD until fairly recently. Please do what you can to spread the word so that others can learn the risks earlier.
I have just read your message and it sounds just like myself. I also was warned about smoking in my twenties. I am now nearing 58 and have been stopped smoking now for 4 months. Like yourself I had never heard of COPD (the term is a modern one to cover quite a few lung problems). I don't need the medics to tell me that if I don't stop the weed I will be on oxygen very soon. I used to think that my ciggies was my best friend (some friend eh!). Like yourself I also have found it hard to find much information on COPD and it seems like a secret society. Hope we can keep in touch.
Jacee the fact that you have finally stopped smoking as probably put years on your life.
Good for you although I feel after reading your post that a sledge hammer would have helped earlier in life. :lol:
I suppose it is an alarming situation for you and all I can say is,eat healthy foods and try and get out into the fresh air for at least an hour a day and possibly do a bit of walking,just a little at a time at first.Hopefully you may be able to come off the o2 in the future,when you body starts healing.
Hi DaveR, not been on the site in a while as been keeping busy. Still working full time and oxygen has been reduced from 2 litres to 1 litre. You are right. Even if I had been told, given a diagram and had a crystal ball I probably would hve continued to smoke for as long as I could (they were my \"best friends\" too). Still no good crying over spilt milk, or smoked fags, looking forward and staying positive always helps. :wink: