Started at 15 and ended at 43. That’s 28 years- 10-12 cigarettes a day. We could say definitely 20 pack years.
2 pulmonary function tests last year (the day I quit and 6 months into quitting)and they did not match up that well. They were better the last day I smoked. Think what got me to QUIT was SOB after a flight of stairs- very steep stairs going up- I have to catch my breath for a short period of time before I can speak(Is that normal- probably not). I googled it and it said COPD never lit up again. I thought COPD was for people in there 70’s- I’m educated BUT never really heard of COPD, my ignorance.
TODAY
Well- it’s been a 1 and 1/2 years and cigarettes make me sick- shame on me for taking this long to quit.
What I have noticed.
NO more Phelgm- that took almost a year to go away.
Stairs- still SOB
My at home peak flow w/Fev1 no change from when I was a smoker 2 years ago @450 and Fev1 @2.5
My mind still wonders about the future- I’m not a fan of my FEV1 @2.5, my MOM who is 70 who has a hard time walking anywhere has an FEV1 of 2.2. Makes no sense- I run 3 days a week.
I’m not taking anything or going to the pulmonologist, thought I would maybe give it another year before I push for another Spirometry.
MY conclusion is I do feel better about quitting and hopefully I extended my life to see my 70’s by quitting. I thought after quitting I would have this increase in lung capacity BUT I’ve the same issues and I don’t believe there was an increased lung capacity % I received after quitting smoking.
Cheers to me for quitting and hopefully fingers crossed the damage I created stays at bay.
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