15 months vaping, today diagnosed with moderate emphysema.

[Hitmetwice]

Greetings, the Doc. put me on Spiriva and Flovent today after doing a pulmonary function test.(could never seem to keep my throat/upper respiratory tract clear since before Christmas last year.)

Since starting vaping I've been having 2 or 3 smokes a day still, so have been a dual user.
Have been happy having cut down my cig intake by over 90% but now it's GOTTA be 100%.

Just wondering if anyone else is taking the Spiriva and vaping?
Anyone off the Spiriva now, or is it something I'll just have to get used to taking?

Does emphysema only get worse over time not better?

Sorry for all the questions, but I know jus' 'bout nothing of all this,
just looking for some info or insight from someone with more experience or knowledge than myself.


Thanks and Cheers eh!

 

[inquiring mind]

I am using the spirits. Started due to a 6 month cold. It was a bad one, even causing the fracture of 4 ribs. I don't have emphysema. So I am. Not sure if any of this helps. At any rate, my breathing has improved so much....even better than before the cold. I have been mostly vaping for about 3 months now. I think that has been more responsible for the improvement than the medication. Once the dr agrees that my asthma is under control, I will be able to get off the meds. He was so impressed with the ecig that he took down info on the provari to recommend to family members and patients. Hope this
Is of some help. Good luck.

 

[mooreted]

You are asking questions only a medical professional can really answer, but not smoking ever again is pretty much a given conclusion. Vaping will be more healthy than smoking. I would urge you to throw the cigarettes away and stock up on vaping supplies.

 

[Hitmetwice]

You are asking questions only a medical professional can really answer, but not smoking ever again is pretty much a given conclusion. Vaping will be more healthy than smoking. I would urge you to throw the cigarettes away and stock up on vaping supplies.

^^This is true, of course.^^

But figure with all the "ex" smokers around, some long term ones like myself(40yrs)
Having emphysema might not be so rare and any insight would be and is much appreciated,
especially when it comes to vaping with it.

Just a bit frayed around the edges right now after bein' givin' the "E" diagnosis.

 

[mooreted]

I imagine that is a very scary situation, but if you caught it early, it can be managed.

There are some threads here by people with COPD that you might find helpful, here is one:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/408024-members-copd.html

 

[Hitmetwice]

Thanks Mooreted.

Just found this tip to help quit smoking....


•Consider trying electronic cigarettes or other devices that mimic the feel of something in your hands. The research to prove they are useful is controversial at the moment, and some experts feel they are a waste of money but some people have had success with them.


On this site in the UK.


Read more: Coping with smoker's lung (chronic bronchitis)
Follow us: @NetDoctor on Twitter | NetDoctorUK on Facebook

Feeling some better now as I really don't wanna have to stop vaping too.

 

[USNRET]

History:: Went to gas station to buy carton of silver 100's ( that the wife and I were going through every 3 to 4 days) (20 to 28 packs per week) the casher said would you like a disposable e-cig for 10 cents? for 10 cents I'd watch a monkey,,,,, -- fast forward-- Super Bowl Sunday ended up staying home--- (picture this) the 10 cent E-cig laying on the kitchen counter, lets try this, Well this is not to bad,- puff a little more- puff a little more. (Reaearch, Reaearch,Reaearch) -- Ordered the couples kit from V2cigs on the 3rd of Febuary-- recieved on the 6th about 1330 (1:30pm). Pluged it in turned it on-- I have not had a real cigarette since Febuary the 6th at 2:30pm, I Can say that once more, ( the wife mabie 4). ---- after first 3 weeks started feeling great cleaning house so on so forth,--- week 4 (first week in march) real bad bronchitis-- can't breath, can't breath put on antibiotics, inhaler and nebulizer took forever to get rid of. --- mid May still short of breath, --- Went to pulmonologist. ----- PFT results Moderately Severe COPD (Fev1 55%) --- first drugs (Dulera and Theophylline) bad side effects, second drugs not much better side effects, now on Alvesco and Proair only, very little side effects and my breathing seems to be getting better after only a week.

I can't answer your question because I have not taken Spiriva but my Lung Dr. (I think is excellent) looked at me face to face and said you have many more lung years left, and there are many drugs and ways to improve breathing, he went on to say it takes a lot more than the first PFT to determine the correct drugs and path to my better breathing. (some PFT's have a 8% to 12% tolerance, morning, afternoon, coffee, food, last night sleep, few beers last night and so on) can effect the PFT

So find a good pulmonologist not a family Doctor and think positive

 

[Hitmetwice]

Thanks USNRET, your post is worth at least 20 likes imo.
Good advice, well taken.
Thanks for taking the time to reply, it means a lot!

 

[galmedic]

I had problems walking up hills in 2008. I was a smoker for 30 years and well on my way to COPD. The Doctor saw an x-ray of my lungs once and exclaimed WOW Beautiful lady with old lady lungs. Well that was it for me. I tried everything to quit. It took me many different methods and all failed me-until I was given my first e-cig. Christmas Day 2011 and I haven't smoked an analogue cigarette since! I use my various e-cigs throughout each day, and my most recent x-ray was much more reflective of my outer appearance! No more "old lady lungs"! It's been a year and a half and now I can walk up hills with no shortness of breath and I even went to a very high altitude and hiked this year! The look on my hubbies face was priceless when we discovered that I was not the one who was out of breath at the top!

 

[SuperLuckyLady]

Hello there - I have COPD, and have been taking Spiriva for about 4 years. I've also vaped for 2-3 of those years.

Yes, emphysema can get better over time, depending on how you treat your lungs from here on in - my lung function has gotten a lot better since I quit smoking and started excercising. However, I have to be very careful about what goes into my lungs.

For instance, I loved vaping with a big VV mod, but my lungs can't take the great hits. I had to go back to my trusty egos. A particular brand of carto gave me trouble a while back. You have to make any changes in vaping habits one at a time so you can pin down any offending item, whether it be a juice, a flavoring, a solvent or a device. Things that are fine for others may not work for you.

Similarly, I take care about what other stuff I'm breathing in. I have trouble with air pollution, paint fumes, some cooking smells, freshly cut onions, etc, etc.

The bottom line is, that with care, you can live very well with lung disease, and you can improve your lung function. Don't get me wrong, you won't be able to undo all the damage you've already done to your lungs, but you can definitely make it better.

Good luck to you!

 

[rolygate]

If you still need 3 or 4 cigs a day then maybe you could try WTA e-liquids, or Snus.

 

[Bliss Doubt]

Does emphysema only get worse over time not better?

I'm not a doctor, so this reply only runs along the lines of anecdotal info. When my dad got emphysema, he all but gave up. He did quit cigarettes. He started using chewing tobacco. He never expected to get better, and he slowly got worse and worse, until he was on oxygen, barely able to lift himself out of bed. He was in and out of the hospital for a few years before he died.

When my uncle was diagnosed with emphysema, he did research and changed his diet and life style. He ate foods that he learned were good for lung health. He quit smoking and didn't replace it with chewing or anything. He planted vegetables and became more active than he'd been before. He did get short of breath with exertion, but then would sit down for a few minutes and start to feel better. He lived into his 70's. When he died, the doctor did say it was emphysema, but his only time on oxygen was during the few days in the hospital, right before he died.

Does it get better or only worse? I think we all have the power to make ourselves better or worse in anything we face. I wish you courage and many blessings.