I should feel better but don't

By cowgirl

1 min read

I was diagnosed with COPD with emphysema in the early stages. A lung nodule was also found during a c-scan but was thought to be non cancerous. I quit smoking upon learning this awful news with the help of e-cigs. I gradually cut back the nicotine and have been free of it for 14 months. In the process I gained 35 pounds and feel worse than I did before I quit. The added weight could count for more labored breathing or maybe I've progressed. I am determined to get the weight off I hate my life the way it is now. Everything is so difficult to do now. I am a very active person; I've got too much to do to be slowed with this much!

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi cowgirl and welcome. We understand how challenging a diagnosis of COPD can be! You did the right thing by quitting smoking immediately upon hearing that you had COPD. Stopping smoking is the single most important action you can take for yourself with COPD. It's a genuine accomplishment that you've been smoke free for 14 months. You should be proud of yourself - keep up the good work! As for the weight gain, many of our community members have expressed similar sentiments when it comes to having gained weight and trying to lose those pounds as well, so you are NOT alone! In view of your concerns, I thought you might find it helpful to look over this material on that very subject: <a href='https://copd.net/living/maintaining-a-healthy-weight/' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/maintaining-a-healthy-weight/</a> We're glad to have you as part of our online community and appreciate you posting your experiences to share with us. Wishing you the best, Leon (site moderator)
1. cowgirl Member
 Thank you for the great information on weight loss with COPD. I am going to make an honest effort to get the weight off, maybe I've expected to much of myself so soon after quitting. It is nice to have a support group to talk to. Thanks again
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi again, cowgirl and thanks for following up. Be good to yourself and work at your goals patiently and at a decent pace (for you). Everything takes time but you will see that, over time, you will make progress. We are always here for you and you are always welcome! We are glad to have you as part of our online community. Warm regards, Leon (site moderator)
nordienordstrum Member
Hi cowgirl, I feel like buffalo girl, because I gained 50 pounds when I quit tobacco. Unfortunately that was 22 years ago and yet even though quitting so long ago, I still , like you, recently was diagnosed with mild/moderate emphysema and also have a lung nodule under surveillance. The extra weight probably lies behind the development of my sleep apnea as well. Hopefully you have luck with your weight reduction and realize that there is no "should feel better". Not all of us do stave off these difficulties by quitting tobacco. But we may be minimizing what we face or at least slowing the progression of our lung disease. I salute you for quitting and wish you better health as you go on.
1. cowgirl Member
 Thank you for your well wishes and support. I need to buckle down and get the extra weight off now that it is warming up outside I can keep myself busy with all the work needing done outside It is just harder now that I am short of breath I have to take more breaks, things take longer to get done. Thanks again for post
timconway Member
Walk regularly. Replace meals with a small cup of yogurt and/or a piece of fruit. It worked for me !
rangamaniiyer Member
Timcornway i agree with you fully. Starting with small slow walks of one kilometer, increased to brisk 2-4 kms per day preferably early mornings when the atmosphere is dust and auto pollution free will help.
tracyemills Member
Howdy Cowgirl, I agree that the weight might be causing more SOB. That, and worrying about the SOB. You might want to try an easy diet like dropping a few things, such as WHEAT and DAIRY. You'd be surprised at the difference it makes. Gluten free isn't hard to find anymore and I found that dropping wheat caused a change in my gut feeling bloated (and I never thought it HAD felt bloated until I dropped the wheat) and dropping dairy helped with my sinus. Exercise is always possible, as long as you have a floor. Be slow and use your O2 as prescribed while exercising. THat's the only time I use O2 now, but I feel a change is coming in spite of my herbal medication. I might have to appear in public with O2 tank and THAT's daunting to me. Love yourself and love yourself, in spite of your body and what it's doing and not doing. (This is hard for me but I've painted a heart on my right toenail to remind me.) Love to all GeckoGal