I guess I don't want to go straight to the doctor because of the 'just stop' advice that I feel is all they can really say, but anyway here's my problem..
I'm 22 and have been smoking since I was about 16. Back then only a couple a week and at most over these years I have reached 5/6 a day but never for that long - usually less than that. I've also been smoking weed for the same amount of time, and for the last three years I have had pretty much at least 1 every night, usually 2 or 3. I began to experience a shortness of breath about two years ago now I think. Initially it was really bad because I was a sheep and would smoke whenever friends were without stopping myself, knowing it would feel bad after. My shortness of breath is not all the time, only after I have smoked. Over the last year I have gone through phases of exercising for a week or two before getting out of the habit and stopping. Exercise is the key to getting better but it has also made me think that a lot of the problem is psychological. I would go out for my first half hour run and then feel fine after smoking later. Smoking weed seems to be a problem in particular, sometimes the thought of having a joint gives me shortness of breath. But if I have exercised or eaten well that day then I don't always get it??
I like the occasional cigarette but I reckon I can give it up, which I'm going to try do now. I'm really busy right now so am finding it hard to find time to exercise. I can tell my mindset is to exercise and feel better so I can then smoke comfortably.. even if more controlled that's still not a great attitude. Has anyone experienced this sort of immediate reaction to smoking? Particularly weed? When I go running I'm obviously not very fit but I don't feel the shortness of breath, it actually just feels good with all the crap leaving my body. I barely smoke now, I just shared a small, and not very full, joint with my gf and immediately felt so aware of my breathing.. can my body get better to the point where I can still enjoy the occasional joint without feeling rubbish, or is this now permanent?
Thanks to anyone who responds, I know this is a bit of a ramble, it's hard to go to the doctor and say "I feel s****y due to smoking but I still want to be able to smoke sometimes.. oh yeah and it's weed..."