If you smoke please read this.

[sur3fir3]

I have been smoking since the age of twelve. I spent many years thinking about the damage it may be doing, but always thought it would develop later in life, so never worried much about it. Up until 2 years ago everything seemed fine, no real issues. But slowly over the past two years I have noticed that i run out of breath very easily, and almost have an asthma attack when doing anything vigorous. Since I had asthma as a child I simply attributed it to that. Well about 2 months ago, I think. I got a chest x-ray because of possible broken ribs. As soon as the tech saw my x-ray she said i have Emphysema. Realize I am only 35 years old. I have spent the last weeks basically in denial. Finally this past Sunday I put my cigarettes down for the last time. Either I quit or I die, actually I am going to die either way, but the smoke will just make it faster. I have been doing alot of research as of late, and found that most people who get it in their 30s dont seem to be around for much longer, or their quality of life quickly deteriorates to a point where they can't perform their normal daily routines. At this point I really don't know what to do. I keep thinking about the fact that by my late 40's (if I make it that far) I will need an Oxygen tank. I will eventually need help doing some of the most basic things like, cleaning or carrying the trash out. I always thought my life would be mostly over by the time the tobacco caught up with me, but I was wrong. I am barely through the first half of my life, and now I have to deal with this.

One thing I know I have to do is share this with other people. If I can make one person quit, and avoid my situation, its worth it. Don't spend your time with that cigarette thinking it will never happen to me, or that it will happen later on. The damage is being done right away, its just the effects that you don't see until years down the road. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and in all honesty, it scares the crap out of me. I really do not know what is to come in the future, or if I will be able to stop the progression or not. Just please wish me some good luck.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

That sucks bro. Bad. You know a bunch of us here are here for you if you need anything.

 

[slowngreen]

So sorry to hear that man. I wish you the best and sure hope things get better with it/you and you forget about having it and live a long life.

 

[SMaxxin]

Sorry to hear this bro, I hope you get set up with a good treatment that works!

 

[sur3fir3]

Thanks guys the kind words do help. I am keeping a positive but realistic outlook. Before I make any real conclusions I am waiting to see what the doc says, but he will probably just send me to a specialist, and I will have to wait on their prognosis. I know what the possibilities are, but you can bet that I am going to be making some active lifestyle changes, and improving my general health.

I do have to say though, all the stress from finally realizing what this all means makes me want to smoke a cigarette so bad... but I won't.

 

[Rolex]

We're here for you, and you know who we are.
Anything we can do to help you through the tough times of quitting, just give us a holler.
I'm wondering if you read or followed the thread about quitting that started when slowngreen wanted to quit. When he stops by, he'll put up the link.
Hopefully we can get more guys to put them down forever.

 

[HPIguy]

sur3fir3, I really hate to read this man. My Mom has COPD, has had for years, and she only had an oxygen tank for a short time. Her lungs recovered enough after being quit smoking for a while that she didn't need it anymore, so keep your chin up. If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to gimme a shout.

 

[Nitro4910]

That does suck, & the best thing to do is put them down & leave them down.
I was a long time 2pk a day smoker for almost 14yrs & quitting cold turkey was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
The craving when under stress is natural, even now when under a lot of stress I catch myself reaching for my shirt pocket for smokes that aren't there 5yrs after quitting.
Try not to stress too much over what the Doc going to say, worrying half to death isn't going to change what he says.

I truly hope the news he gives you isn't all bad & hopefully he'll have advice on things to do to help improve your lung condition &/or slow down the progression of the emphysema.

I have found you gotta take it one day at a time, it's what helped me for the 5wks I spent in the Hospital & the 3 spent stuck in phys rehab.

 

[Alexander_0_1]

That's sad bro, I hope you get better! Your part of the reason I picked up a MERV, which led me to ordering a 1/10 e-revo.

Everyone in my family smokes. When I was younger, 7-10yrs old I remember hiding everyone's cigarets in a hole in the couch. Now a days I just refuse to take anyone for cigs runs, or refuse to stop for smoke breaks when I drive, since nobody smokes in my ride hehehe!

Forgot to mention its way easier for First Nations people to buy smokes since they are tax free if you can convince the Canadian government to issue you tax exemption card.

 

[sur3fir3]

Thanks everyone. I am in the DRs office waiting to be seen... I'll let u Gus know what happens.

*edit Gus = guys damn iPhone auto correct

 

[Alexander_0_1]

Did he just call me a Gus...hahaha, never mind it's an abbreviation for a word in my language

 

[Vector]

Thanks for this, quit after 8 years, started a week ago, lit up my last one, said goodbye and tossed them all away just now, seeing it from someone elses perspective really helps.

 

[sur3fir3]

Vector, I am happy that my story helped you put them down. To help keep you off them buy gum, sunflower seeds... something or your cravings make take over.

The doctor said before he says anything that I need a Spirometry(sp?) test on my lungs, and he needs to do some test on my heart. Its like an ultrasound for the heart. He did say that asthma may be responsible for the appearance of my lungs in the x-ray. He said for sure I have COPD, but he is unsure of whether or not it has progressed enough to diagnose me with Emphysema. I have the tests scheduled for Monday. He also said that if I do have Emphysema, at this age, that its definitely something we will have to battle aggressively. I do feel a bit better about it now, but it still worries me. I'm going to be stressed out until I get the results from Monday.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Keep your head up bro. Oddly the best thing to do is keep a positive attitude. Your body reacts to your mental state. A body with a strong mind is usually stronger than one thats depressed. Rely on your support systems. Family, friends, animals, and the dildo's around here.

 

[sur3fir3]

Thanks alpine, I am just really keeping busy. Trying to occupy my mind with anything I can. At this point whats bugging me is not knowing. Once I know exactly what is going on, I'll be 100% better. Until then I'll just keep busy with different things.

 

[Rolex]

It all requires a 100% positive attitude. Trust me. The worst possible thing you can do is allow yourself to stress out over something, especially if you're convincing yourself to fear the worst.

 

[sur3fir3]

I am trying to believe me, but for now, I am going to fill my time with learning some metal working. Its something I've always wanted to learn, and in the next few months I should be able to piece together a decent shop for making small parts. I looked into a lathe, but decided they are too expensive. For now I have a band saw, and micro milling machine on my list. Also going to look into taking some classes on the subject. I'm not looking to be a pro, and able to make pieces for resale, I just want to be able to make my own chassis, simple parts, and etc. I've spent many years working on computers, I'm tired of it, its time for a change.

 

[WoodiE]

Sure am sorry to hear this. If there is anything we can do for you just let us know!

 

[Alec8100]

First of all, I do not like smoking. It is really bad for health point of view. Cigarettes contains many substances that intervene with your body's method of filtration air and cleaning out the respiratory system.

 

[sur3fir3]

^^ did you even read my post?

---------- Post added at 12:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 AM ----------

Sure am sorry to hear this. If there is anything we can do for you just let us know!

Thanks Woodie, everyone's kind words has really given me the boost I need to stay away from smoking for good this time. All the prior times I had quit, by now I was already thinking of starting back up. This time I'm really committed.