Doctors visit regarding COPD

[Rar]

Hi Rar, I hope you feel better soon! My grandmother has servere COPD and she cant inhale anything into her lungs except air, she cant tolerate any perfumes or even strong smelling soaps, body washes etc. Maybe until this flare up subsides it migh be best to not inhale anything. Once everything calms down you might be able to try again? Again Im not an expert by any means your Lung Specialist would be your best mentor right now. I hope you improve quickly.

For most of yesterday, I hardly used my e-cigarette and when I did, I took teeny, tiny puffs, barely inhaling and quickly blowing the vapor out. I feel somewhat better today. So maybe as Dyanne says, I need to keep everything except air out of my lungs until things settle down.

 

[MegaBee]

I hope you feel better quickly so you can return to your yummy flavours ASAP. Keep us posted with how your doing xo


Last cigarette 16th October, 2011. Forever grateful for the support and advice from ECF.

 

[dee5]

Rar, I haven't followed your whole story but read back far enough to see you have recently moved. So your exacerbation occured after your move? Any chance there is something in the new place that caused it? Mold? Animal dander left by previous owner? (Birds are notorious for causing this sort of thing) New carpet? Paint? Just brainstorming here....

 

[Rar]

Yes, we recently moved about June and the exacerbation occurred this November. I, too, thought it odd because we burned wood in our former place. Also, I had two cats at the time and had enough cat hair to make another cat. I don't really think it's mold. The condos were built in 1950s. I am having some painting work done and the painter doesn't think there's mold in these places either. We moved from the clean mountain air of the High Peaks in the Adirondacks (Saranac Lake - a former TB cure center) Guess my lungs miss the mountain air.

Anyway, to update you folks......I called my doc and had a new antibiotic called in to the pharmacy yesterday. Within an hour of taking my first pill, I was in the ambulance going to the ER. BUMMER! I have a new antibiotic and some prednisone. I no longer think my e-cigarette is causing this exacerbation. I, do, however, think it might be an irritant and I am slowing up until this stuff goes away.

 

[MegaBee]

Rar,

I hope you improve quickly. thinking of you. Let us know how you are going once you feel well enough.

 

[dee5]

So it seems to have started when you first had to turn on the central heating? Do the airducts need cleaning?

 

[sobero4]

Thank you for reminding me to enjoy my life now and to be grateful. I am 31 with borderline prehypertensive to Type I hypertensive readings. I just graduated with an associates degree in registered nursing, and the program was a beast, so we all know how stress can increase our blood pressure. Two weeks later my systolic BP is 10-12mmHg lower. Congratulations on your successful outcomes with such a serious pulmonary diagnosis. My uncle has it and he still smokes. Consider yourself one of the fortunate ones. I can definitely see your story and many more like it having a positive influence on legislature, big tobacco lobbyists, etc. Stay well and keep on vaping for all of us!!!

 

[sobero4]

BTW, I found out that one of my nursing instructors was secretly smoking for years and one of my Preceptors (who was a former student of her's guiding me in my final semester) was the way I found out. I kept it discrete that I was "in the know", but following graduation I sent her hyperlinks to websites I feel can get her the best starter kits and some quick personal opinions of pros and cons of various entry level models. She's 60 or rapidly approaching if I were to guess, so it's time for her to come join us or go freeze a turkey

 

[Keeno]

I've seen many nurses taking smoke breaks through the years....always interesting when I see that.

 

[Rar]

Hi Folks - Had another doctor's visit yesterday. Though I think I still have some residual bronchial infection, the doctor decided to do the pulmonary function test anyway, since he said I didn't sound as bad as I did in November and early December. Anyway, the tests revealed that I was at 43% Pred Fev1/FVC or having severe airway obstruction. Seems I've read a million articles since yesterday about emphysema, it's stages and progression. I'm so depressed that I could barely get out of bed this morning. My doctor is extremely supportive of the e-cigarette and pleased that I had my last cigarette over 9 months ago.

 

[txtumbleweed]

I'm sorry to hear that Rar I guess we waited a little to long to quit smoking. I'm glad to hear your doctor is supportive of the e-cig. My health is still very good and I still haven't had a single cold in over two years since I quit smoking.

 

[toto1013]

Sorry to hear this Rar. Don't put to much emphasis on stages and progression of emphysema. A healthy diet, exercise, a good support system and a positive attitude goes a long ways at slowing down the progression. You are one step ahead in that you have already quit smoking. I am glad to hear that your Dr is supportive with e-cigs. Just remember you are not alone. Do not hesitate to PM me if you want to rant, lol, cry, information, etc....

Hi Folks - Had another doctor's visit yesterday. Though I think I still have some residual bronchial infection, the doctor decided to do the pulmonary function test anyway, since he said I didn't sound as bad as I did in November and early December. Anyway, the tests revealed that I was at 43% Pred Fev1/FVC or having severe airway obstruction. Seems I've read a million articles since yesterday about emphysema, it's stages and progression. I'm so depressed that I could barely get out of bed this morning. My doctor is extremely supportive of the e-cigarette and pleased that I had my last cigarette over 9 months ago.

 

[salemgold]

toto is right. Sadly my mom has COPD and Emphysema She quit cigs and vaped for about 6 months and there was a drastic improvement in her lung function. Sadly she went back to the cigs and her lung function has diminished greatly. But one thing that I do know for sure is that you will reap the benefits of giving up smoking. Positive attititude does go a long way.

 

[toto1013]

I so wish there was something I could do or say that would convince your Mom to try again Salem.

 

[wfx]

I so wish there was something I could do or say that would convince your Mom to try again Salem.

i share that sentiment. maybe try surprise gifts of the latest tech. and filling cartos for her. there's so many options i can't imagine one won't work for her.

 

[Capt Scott]

First off, thank you for your service to this great country. Secondly, Great job on quiting for 16 months. Way to go.


Scott

 

[Rar]

Thanks everyone. This was my first exacerbation. (I didn't know what one was) Though I sort of expected COPD (I think we all have that fear in the back of our minds), somehow I didn't learn enough about what COPD was and emphysema was one of the last things I expected. It seems as if my lungs deteriorated suddenly. One day I was diagnosed with the exacerbation, couldn't breathe, etc. and a few weeks later discover I have emphysema with only a 43% breathing capacity. Right now, I'm having a hard time mustering a positive attitude. It's been YEARS since I've even had a cold. I was one of those smokers who thought that once I quit, all the bad physical ailments would go away. Of course, a lot of them did - but some lingered......like the emphysema.

@ Salem: I wish I could convince your mom also.

 

[toto1013]

Sending positive vibes Rar........

 

[Jimbo B]

Congrats! And great job on spreading the word on e smoke to especially professionals who give respected advice to others. There are still plenty of smokers out there that doesn't know its benefit or stay away because of the FDA press release a few years back. @esmokedepot.com, we are all ex-smokers who quit cigarettes using electronic cigarettes. It still takes personal effort but sure help. Great job and congratulations. Carry a box of cards!

 

[dcinky]

I to have COPD. I was diagnosed 10 years ago. I resisted quitting smoking all this time. Sure I tried a few times to quit..using the patches & gum. But neither worked for me. Then 2 months ago tomorrow ..Nov 14th. My daughter got her EgO-T and convinced me to try it. Well needless to say..That was the day I quit. I haven't had a single analog since. I can now breath normal..I don't even get winded like I used to. My smell & taste are returning. I now enjoy the smells & tastes. I haven't had a single cold or bronchitis. I usually have bronchitis about every 3 months. Its been 5 months now since I had it. I contribute this to my e-cigarette. I vape Atomic Fireball flavor exclusively. I found I like it better than any other. Its contains a lot of cinnamon flavor and I like that and feel it helps keep my lungs clear.
I haven't been to see my doctor yet . But I am sure when I do he will be amazed at how well I can breath now. He has been after me for awhile now to quit smoking. He will be very pleased with me and the progress the vaping has made in my condition.
Congrats to ALL you who have been able to quit using E-cigarettes. I think this is the very best thing my daughter ever did for me. Oh and we even got my other smoking daughter to quit and vape with us. We are now working on my son and he is "Thinking" about it .