Gave up smoking 2 years ago, but maybe the damage has been done.

[giddyup]

I quit smoking 2 years ago after probably close on 40 years as a "moderate" smoker of 10-20 cigarettes a day. In the last two years I have coughed up some mucus in the morning, but other than that it hasn't been too bad. However in the last couple of weeks I have started to get quite wheezy and have developed what sounds like a smokers cough again. I did have a chest X Ray when I first quit and the doctor at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital didn't seem to have any concerns about my lungs. I will probably go and have another this week to put my mind at rest that it's nothing serious, but I have a feeling that all those years of smoking have probably done irrepearable damage and am developing emphesema, or something like it. I'm wondering whether it may have just been better just to continue smoking after so many years.

[chas39]

I used to smoke, then stopped, but it didn't stop me getting COPD. This is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Symptoms are wheezing, coughing. It is caused by damage to the lungs primarily caused by smoking. I think the damage varies and it comes and goes and sometimes gets infected - what they call an exacerbation.

It can't be cured - but there are inhalers that help. My Doctor gives me antibiotics that I can use if I get an infection on my lungs when on holiday.

So I am ok with it most of the time.

I got a copy of my medical records from my Doctor and interestingly there was a note - years before it became apparent to me - saying "Possible COPD?" I would like to have been aware of that.

I have been a lot better recently and use Tiotropium (Spiriva) inhaler and more recently I have an inhaler for Fluticasone furoate (Relvar) which helps a lot.You will understand that I am not a medico - just a geezer with a similar sounding problem. Yours might be quite different.

Three months in Nong Khai 2014/15 and not a wheeze - well from the chest anyway!

[giddyup]

I used to smoke, then stopped, but it didn't stop me getting COPD. This is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Symptoms are wheezing, coughing. It is caused by damage to the lungs primarily caused by smoking. I think the damage varies and it comes and goes and sometimes gets infected - what they call an exacerbation.

It can't be cured - but there are inhalers that help. My Doctor gives me antibiotics that I can use if I get an infection on my lungs when on holiday.

So I am ok with it most of the time.

I got a copy of my medical records from my Doctor and interestingly there was a note - years before it became apparent to me - saying "Possible COPD?" I would like to have been aware of that.

I have been a lot better recently and use Tiotropium (Spiriva) inhaler and more recently I have an inhaler for Fluticasone furoate (Relvar) which helps a lot.You will understand that I am not a medico - just a geezer with a similar sounding problem. Yours might be quite different.

Three months in Nong Khai 2014/15 and not a wheeze - well from the chest anyway!

My symptoms sound very similar. I had a bout of what I thought was bronchitis a couple of months back, never had it before in my life, but it may have been a chest infection from COPD or COAD. I'm not really having any trouble breathing as a rule, but this wheeze I've developed after 2 years of quitting is a worry in case it gets worse.

[NickJ]

Save yourself the stress of guessing and have an examination by a pulmonologist.The one thing about the lungs is they are self cleaning with cells having micro hairs or cilia that clean the debris away...nicotine paralyzes them so debris builds up. When you quit they start working again. See the correct Dr and have some tests done.

[giddyup]

Save yourself the stress of guessing and have an examination by a pulmonologist.The one thing about the lungs is they are self cleaning with cells having micro hairs or cilia that clean the debris away...nicotine paralyzes them so debris builds up. When you quit they start working again. See the correct Dr and have some tests done.

I'm going to see a specialist tomorrow.The lungs will only tolerate so much before the damage becomes permanent, you are not necessarily going to get your perfectly healthy lungs back after 40 years of smoking just because you quit.

Edited April 21, 2015 by giddyup

[Naam]

Save yourself the stress of guessing and have an examination by a pulmonologist.The one thing about the lungs is they are self cleaning with cells having micro hairs or cilia that clean the debris away...nicotine paralyzes them so debris builds up. When you quit they start working again. See the correct Dr and have some tests done.

nicotine doesn't paralyse anything in the lungs. the cilia of long time smokers are paralysed by tar and other residues deposited in the lungs by inhaling polluted air (not necessarily by smoking).

there's no cure to revamp their function. as a long time smoker i too have this problem and i know what i am talking about.

[GaryB1263]

Sheryl will be interested in this post. Help!

[Sheryl]

Well, it certainly would not have been better ti have continued smoking. Smoking causes further damage even for people who already have COPD.

That said, while some of the changes/damage due to smoking are reversible given time, the lung changes related to CPD are irreversible. However no reason to assume this is what you have. See a good, preferrably western-trained, pulmonologist... which may require a trip to Bangkok.

[giddyup]

Saw the specialist at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital this morning. The X Ray showed nothing abnormal, lung function test was around 80%, not surprising as I'm wheezing a bit, and feel like there's fluid in my lungs. The doctor prescribed antibiotics (don't they all) and if it doesn't clear up, come back and see him in a week.

[Naam]

Saw the specialist at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital this morning. The X Ray showed nothing abnormal, lung function test was around 80%, not surprising as I'm wheezing a bit, and feel like there's fluid in my lungs. The doctor prescribed antibiotics (don't they all) and if it doesn't clear up, come back and see him in a week.

you must have seen Dr. Ong-Ard whom you can trust evaluating properly an x-ray of your lungs. fluid or emphysema shows clearly in an x-ray. and from all indications you might have an infection that causes mucus and wheezing.

[giddyup]

Saw the specialist at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital this morning. The X Ray showed nothing abnormal, lung function test was around 80%, not surprising as I'm wheezing a bit, and feel like there's fluid in my lungs. The doctor prescribed antibiotics (don't they all) and if it doesn't clear up, come back and see him in a week.

you must have seen Dr. Ong-Ard whom you can trust evaluating properly an x-ray of your lungs. fluid or emphysema shows clearly in an x-ray. and from all indications you might have an infection that causes mucus and wheezing.

Yes, that's who I saw. I must say it was a relief to get the all-clear on the X Ray, after abusing my lungs for 40 years one expects the worst. Hopefully the antbiotics will clear up whatever it is.

[Suradit69]

Save yourself the stress of guessing and have an examination by a pulmonologist.The one thing about the lungs is they are self cleaning with cells having micro hairs or cilia that clean the debris away...nicotine paralyzes them so debris builds up. When you quit they start working again. See the correct Dr and have some tests done.

nicotine doesn't paralyse anything in the lungs. the cilia of long time smokers are paralysed by tar and other residues deposited in the lungs by inhaling polluted air (not necessarily by smoking).

there's no cure to revamp their function. as a long time smoker i too have this problem and i know what i am talking about.

"inhaling polluted air (not necessarily by smoking)."

About a month or two ago I had somewhat similar symptoms that I attribute in no small part to the air quality. I don't think I had an infection and never medicated, but symptoms disappeared as the air appeared to become less smog-like.

[technologybytes]

Whatever else happens, you will be healthier than if you had continued smoking.

I hope it all works out well and is not serious.

[how241]

Whatever else happens, you will be healthier than if you had continued smoking.

I hope it all works out well and is not serious.

Give it some time for the body to heal itself. It can take a long time to recover. I'm sure a walking or jogging program might help. Go slow at first and always listen to what your body is telling you. Don't push too hard. Good luck.

[Mavrix]

"I'm wondering whether it may have just been better just to continue smoking after so many years."

Is that a serious statement ? 55555

[hawker9000]

I wonder if the smoking-is-perfectly-healthy legionnaires who are so fond of exposing others to their 2nd hand filth will be joining this discussion ...

Edited April 22, 2015 by hawker9000

[nithisa78]

Keep the faith. Sounds like a healing cycle. Brave on.

[ozyjon]

And yet so many young ones look like they

are chain smoking as if they are on a drip.

[mommysboy]

I smoked for a long time and developed all sorts of breathing problems and ended up staggering in to hospital once. I gave up smoking didn't make a jot of difference. The problem was caused by air pollution in Bangkok. I live in Surat these days. Glad I quit though, my general health is much better. I have taken up vaping recently though.

[NoshowJones]

I never even started smoking, but I do have a bit of sympathy with lifetime smokers in their sixties and seventies because they never knew the health risks when they started.

Younger people in their forties and fifties who are smoking, I just can't understand their stupidity, the health risks were well documented when they started smoking, but they

obviously didn't bother, and most of them are going to suffer in their old age. there is still time for them to try and stop smoking, I wish they would.

[sharpjwe]

well smoking is bad

we all know .

stopping is good

we are all getting older , and healing will never get to teenage health.

we all must take the best actions for good health

[giddyup]

I never even started smoking, but I do have a bit of sympathy with lifetime smokers in their sixties and seventies because they never knew the health risks when they started.

Younger people in their forties and fifties who are smoking, I just can't understand their stupidity, the health risks were well documented when they started smoking, but they

obviously didn't bother, and most of them are going to suffer in their old age. there is still time for them to try and stop smoking, I wish they would.

Hard to believe, but it wasn't that unusual to see a doctor smoking either a cigarette or a pipe when I was young. Doctors actually suggested that people with a "nervous disposition" take up smoking to calm their nerves!

[ggt]

The short answer is NO...you would not have been better off to have kept smoking...

You have likely done some permanent damage...however...you can learn to live with the likelihood of some breathing issues...

First...stay away from smoke (both cigarette and smoke from burning fields and trash)...wear a safety air filter over your nose and mouth if you are cutting grass or doing any kind of work where you disturb the soil releasing mold and mildew into the air...

Ask you doctor about some medication that will help you get thru the difficult breathing episodes (a rescue inhaler) and something you can take on a regular basis to maintain good breathing...

I am not a doctor...but a Thai doctor recommended something called "Meptin" which I now take 25mg per day that keeps my lungs clear...I can participate in life as a normal person...and it keeps me from having trouble breathing when I lie down to sleep...

Been there...done that...it is an on-going process to see what works best for you...DO NOT start back smoking...your body is trying to repair itself...you need to find out what is best for you to enjoy the fullness of life...

[dotpoom]

Well done to you for quitting when you did. I doubt it wold have been a good idea to have carried on though, a bit surprised you said that. I quit 13 years ago and I do remember reading (or being told, not sure) that it takes 10 years for the lungs to recover after stopping. I thought at the time..."my God all that time"...but yet it flew over. I'm ecstatic still to no longer be a slave to them. I gave up drinking at the same time otherwise I don't think I could have done it.

[jackanapes]

I gave up smoking after I had a stroke when I was58 having smoked from the age of 11 I am now classed as a bronchiotic .

[Travelman868]

I used to smoke, then stopped, but it didn't stop me getting COPD. This is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Symptoms are wheezing, coughing. It is caused by damage to the lungs primarily caused by smoking. I think the damage varies and it comes and goes and sometimes gets infected - what they call an exacerbation.

It can't be cured - but there are inhalers that help. My Doctor gives me antibiotics that I can use if I get an infection on my lungs when on holiday.

So I am ok with it most of the time.

I got a copy of my medical records from my Doctor and interestingly there was a note - years before it became apparent to me - saying "Possible COPD?" I would like to have been aware of that.

I have been a lot better recently and use Tiotropium (Spiriva) inhaler and more recently I have an inhaler for Fluticasone furoate (Relvar) which helps a lot.You will understand that I am not a medico - just a geezer with a similar sounding problem. Yours might be quite different.

Three months in Nong Khai 2014/15 and not a wheeze - well from the chest anyway!

He needs an X ray to specifically check the Lungs and Bronchial bits. As you say there is no cure for damage already done however there are

treatments to keep us going.

[bazza40]

Well done to you for quitting when you did. I doubt it wold have been a good idea to have carried on though, a bit surprised you said that. I quit 13 years ago and I do remember reading (or being told, not sure) that it takes 10 years for the lungs to recover after stopping. I thought at the time..."my God all that time"...but yet it flew over. I'm ecstatic still to no longer be a slave to them. I gave up drinking at the same time otherwise I don't think I could have done it.

It does take a long time to repair the damage to the lungs. I gave up smoking in 1983 and it took about ten years for my lung capacity to get back up from 3 litres to a healthy 6 litres.

Can't give up drinking in moderation, enjoy it too much. Plus medical opinion is divided on drinking - no way is it divided on smoking.

[sikishrory]

I have a similar smoking history to you and also quit 2 years ago. Havn't had 1 puff since.

In the 2 years since I have also been coughing up stuff in mornings mostly. If I cough during the day phlegm will sometimes fly out. Lungs are still not normal and I also wondered same about emphesymia etc. I had 2 chest x rays done. 1 in oz not long before quitting and 1 in bkk quite awhile after quitting. No abnormalities they said. I don't know if it's true but I have heard smoking stuff doesn't show up on x-rays.

I sometimes get pains in my lung but often do muay thai and stuff without a lot of hassle.

I believe running and swimming are the best ways to help get the lungs in shape. Sitting around doing nothing they just seem to deteriorate.

[chiman]

You should probably invest into a good air filter for the areas of the house you spent the most time in. I have one for my office and bedroom, great investment.

[giddyup]

Taking up smoking again is NOT an option. After two years without one, the idea is not in the least bit appealing.