End of a Horrible Year

By sardonicus

1 min read

I have been here before so I will stick to the basics. At the start of Nov. I was blissfully unaware that anything was wrong other than what I was going through. Then in mid month I got this really bad cough. Being a life long smoker I had been coughing every morning for some time but this was different. I thought it was a virus or an infection until one day I was walking to the store and I started gasping for air. It only lasted a few seconds but it was enough to scare the hell out of me. So I went to a clinic, had some tests done and was diagnosed with EMPHYSEMA!!! I was shocked and to be honest went straight to the denial stage. It's not possible I thought. Having been diagnosed with clinical depression and a severe anxiety disorder in the last half of 2014 the news was devastating. Having seen that one of the signs of Emphysema was depression/anxiety (and I can certainly understand why), all I could think of was "I am in deep trouble here", as none of the medications I have been prescribed for the last 5 years has done much more than allow me to function. Depression makes you fatigued and emphysema makes you fatigued, so its amazing I can get out of bed at all. So far I have tried and failed to quit smoking 3 times. I have seriously considering trying E-cigarettes. Even if they don't make things any better they might be the perfect way to quit. As Leon once said "the juries still out on this one", but having spent almost a whole day looking up various sites, they seem to be about 70-75% positive. Thanks for reading.....sardonicus

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi sardonicus and thanks for this, your most recent post. Thanks, too, for reviewing you medical history with the community. We all understand what you're going through and appreciate your candor here. The choices are, of course, yours, but I would again caution you to be careful when it comes to e-cigarettes. There are many other ways to quit smoking (as you well know), that may not expose you to the same level of nicotine. I thought this article might provide you with some additional insight: <a href='https://copd.net/living-with-copd/pulmonary-rehab/lifestyle/quitting-smoking/' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living-with-copd/pulmonary-rehab/lifestyle/quitting-smoking/</a>. Welcome back! Leon (site moderator)
1. sardonicus Member
 HI LEON: The post above was written for my story section. Could you take care of that for me cause I dont want to repeat myself. I wrote it in the story section and then submitted it. ..Thanks sardonicus
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi again, sardonicus - I see you wanted the post (dated March 17, yesterday) put in the stories section. I don't think any action is necessary, as I am able to see that is exactly where the post appears - in the 'stories' section. So, evidently, you posted it exactly where you wanted it to be and may not have realized it. Take a look, you'll see. Leon (site moderator)
sardonicus Member
Leon: What I was planning on doing was going to store for 2 weeks supply. I am pretty sure they told me about 30mg. of nicotine In a brand name cigarette I mentioned. The next week 25mg. And so on, until I am smoking nothing but air. It seems to me this is better than gum or patches cause you get the illusion of smoking. Leon, I have to quit smoking!! and I am finding it very hard. This seems to me like the easiest way to do it. I really appreciate the advice and the concern,Leon, but a better way of looking at it is "It may be the lesser of two evils". Thanks again ....sardonicus
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi again, sardonicus and thanks for sharing your plans and strategy. If you feel this is going to help you to be successful at smoking, then go for it! Only you can make the decision as to which method will provide the best results for you, as an individual. You make a lot of sense with your analysis and reasoning. I have no doubt that with your attitude, determination and new resolve, you will succeed at finally quitting smoking. Wishing you the best of luck and I know you will keep us posted as to your progress. Warmly, Leon (site moderator)
2. sardonicus Member
 Leon: It seems to me that I had some problems with the site the first time I was on it. Well now I have another one. I cant seem to find the story section. I have checked the menu and clicked on everything I thought might send me there including search. Once I did get in but they were very old posts, as old as 4 years. Could you help a dummy out?.....sardonicus
Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi sardonicus and sorry to hear you're having difficulty accessing the 'stories' section. Here is a link that will take you directly to it: <a href='https://copd.net/stories/' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/stories/</a>. Let's see if that works and we can take it from there. Good luck! Leon (site moderator)
1. sardonicus Member
 Thanks Leon.....computer challenged sardonicus
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 No problem, sardonicus. Always happy to be able to help! Leon (site moderator)
magnata Member
lose the cigarettes. Chantix helps the phychological urge, do a different routine. You must avoid lung irritantss
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi magnata, and thanks for joining in the conversation here. We appreciate your input and interaction on our <a href='http://COPD.ne' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>COPD.ne</a> website. All the best, Leon (site moderator)

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