My emphysema and vaping. Attention dual users.

[elbakan1]

Hi all,

I've been diagnosed with moderate emphysema. The middle of the road.

I noticed I was shorter of breath more while vaping, after a year or so.
I'm NOT blaming vaping by no means for my diagnostic. On the CONTRARY.
Because of it, I went to the doctor.
This sickness takes years to develop. And not everybody gets it.
But for those of us, lucky dogs, 90% of the time, is caused by smoking.
I'm almost 65 now. The tables say I got 10 yrs left, if I take GOOD care of myself.
As in NOT SMOKING AT ALL.

I'm still vaping but not inhaling. And, trust me, I breathe a hell of a lot better.
It's not that hard once you adjust the nic higher and practice.

I feel very relieved for this confession. I don't need pity or guidance. It's my own doing.
Only I will feel even better if someone totally stops smoking because of it.

Thank you for reading. Carlos.

 

[Katmar]

Sorry about your diagnosis, Carlos. Keep your chin up. It can be controlled for a very long time. Forget statistics and tables. Be proactive in your treatment. Take care of yourself and stay as active as you can. Good luck to you.

 

[elbakan1]

Hi Katmar,

Thank You for your good wishes and encouragement.

Proactive is the keyword. I have goals and hopes.
The exercise part is no issue. I've done it before and I like it.
The diet will be the hardest part. I eat no veggies or fruit.
Went the supermarket looking for healthy food
and all I brought back was meat. Lean thought, hehe.
Lesson #1: make a shopping list and shop on a full stomach.

I will post once a week about my progress.
It will give me an obligation, and may help someone else too.
I'm 5'7" on a good day and weight 183 today.

Thanks you so much for your post!!!.
Until next week. Carlos.

 

[GrandPapa]

Hi Wlbakan1,
Well welcome to vaping!
I also have emhysema (have had for some time in the 80's) I am 70 years young and smokde analogs for 58 years, now I vape
but I vape the 24mg Nicotine with no flavors and haven't had an analog since June. I have no adverse effects from vaping, in fact my
breathing has gotten a little better, no coughing. don't smell like an ashtray etc.
So COPD (in my opinion) is not effected by vaping...I have had CT scans done recently and go to the pulmonary specialist next month for
a check up I am going to suggest that she compare CT scans after I vape a liittle longer and see if there is any change.
Jim

 

[Katmar]

Hi Katmar,

Thank You for your good wishes and encouragement.

Proactive is the keyword. I have goals and hopes.
The exercise part is no issue. I've done it before and I like it.
The diet will be the hardest part. I eat no veggies or fruit.
Went the supermarket looking for healthy food
and all I brought back was meat. Lean thought, hehe.
Lesson #1: make a shopping list and shop on a full stomach.

I will post once a week about my progress.
It will give me an obligation, and may help someone else too.
I'm 5'7" on a good day and weight 183 today.

Thanks you so much for your post!!!.
Until next week. Carlos.

You are welcome for the wishes, and I am happy to hear you will keep us posted. You really DO need to eat your fruits and veggies!!! So I hope to hear that you have added them to your diet!!!

 

[elbakan1]

Hi GrandPapa,

I agree vaping won't hurt COPD any further if done with measure.
Only I was doing too much with too many different flavors.
I'm vaping 30mg or so of no flavor now. Not inhaling. Works for me.
A little less than 100 puffs a day now. Against 400+ of 24mg with flavors. Inhaling.

If you were diagnosed in the '80s, I presume you were 0 or mild at the time.
I was probably sick since the '80s too. But never went to the doctor.
Since I smoked 2 or 3 packs a day, I was "supposed" to be SOB
It will be very important to find out about your results.
Good luck with your tests. And please, let us know about the improvements.

Thanks for sharing, Carlos

 

[salemgold]

Thanks for sharing your story, Carlos. My mom was diagnosed with emphysema/COPD about 15 years ago and she still smokes fairly heavy. She started out vaping with me about 4 years ago and did well for awhile. She just refuses to give up the cigs though.

Anyway, my point is that the charts do not apply to everyone. We are all different. Good luck to you and I look forward to following your progress.

 

[GrandPapa]

Hi again,
Well I should have mentioned also that I don't vape flavored juice (tobacco Nic based) My wife doesn't like the aroma flavored juices give off! So I just vape 24mg Nic smooth tobacco juices.
Jim

 

[Rickajho]

I have to keep bringing this up again and again, that people somehow think when they finally/maybe/eventually get around to quitting smoking that their lungs get all fixed, like you will somehow grow a new lung or something. They mistakenly take a newly found ability to breath better as an increase in lung capacity or function. All that breathing easier is is whatever state your lungs were left in after years or decades of smoking working as best they can once the tar is cleared out. You don't get anything back - what is revealed is what you have - or have left - period.

Two of my MD's have both said the same thing: If smoking related lung damage was reversible then the cure for emphysema would be simple - quit smoking. It doesn't work that way.

All the more reason to quit smoking sooner rather than later.

Best wishes Carlos and thank you for sharing about what can be a scary diagnosis to deal with.

 

[salemgold]

Hi again,
Well I should have mentioned also that I don't vape flavored juice (tobacco Nic based) My wife doesn't like the aroma flavored juices give off! So I just vape 24mg Nic smooth tobacco juices.
Jim

Tobacco and a few other flavors do have a bad smell to them IMO But, there are flavors that actually smell pleasant and taste good out there. If you are happy using unflavored there is nothing wrong with that though.

 

[elbakan1]

Thank you Salemgold.
I truly wish your mother would stop smoking. And everybody else for that matte
I was counting on my good genes,
Mother is 100 years old with a brain function and health better than mine. Only mobility issues.
My father died in an accident,otherwise he would be 110.
Grandma died from a fall at 94, still smoking cigars.
My parents never smoke, but I had asthma as a kid. A factor.
We invent all kinds of excuses to keep smoking.

Rickahjo, you are SO RIGHT!!!.
I've lost 35% of my lungs and they are NOT coming back.
Furthermore, COPD/emphysema is progressive.
It can only be slowed down, not cured.
And the progression is not pretty.
Specially that it aggravates at a time when people are old and frail.
Keep up the good work. Someone will listen, I'm sure.
Hopefully before is too late. Carlos.

 

[DPGoyo]

WOw, thank you for sharing

 

[elbakan1]

Hi everybody,
Here's the 1st update.

I've been in Miami for the last week on biz,
in a not so great hotel. Only because they take dogs.
The gym is a disaster. 2 machines broken out of 3.
I've been going up and down the stairs, but the air is stale and humid.
My dog (dachshund) never learned to walk. So all he does is pull.
The Cuban food is not helping either. Nor are the Outback specials.
The good news is that I don't think about my condition much,
since I'm out of my comfort zone.
The other good news is that I'll be home by Friday.
Also ordered something called Aquajogger to exercise in the pool when I'm back.
I will service the pool and cut the lawn (not good for COPD) from now on.
My wife will handle the chemicals and trim the bushes.
I'll keep you all posted about my progress.
All The Best, Carlos.

 

[ABx009]

Regarding veggies: you might look for green juice at the grocery store. Odwalla calls it "Superfood," and I see various brands here and there, but in the juice aisle there's usually a smaller/generic brand for about half the price. I can't stand V8 (even their newer fruit ones), but love the stuff (despite how it looks, it's just like a fruit juice/smoothy). It's no substitute for eating veggies (no matter what the label says), but I use it as a small boost when I'm not feeling up-to-par.

 

[elbakan1]

Hello all!!!
Me chiming in. I've waited to have some good news.
I'm back home and have become very lazy.
Being looking for a car in the 'net. Being sitting for hrs.

At times, I think, why fight it. It's prolonging agony.
But I've controlled my demons again. (Methinks).
Yesterday I got back on the bike, the pool and ate salad.
I'll get the bottle with the green stuff next time I go shopping.
BTW, the Aquajogger works. Specially if I use it, hehe.

Got me a harmonica. Very therapeutic for COPD, they say.
Always wanted to play since I saw Bruce Willis in SNL. He's a monster.
A bottle of D3 capsules. It seems at my age the sun is not enough.
Waiting on the 2nd pulse oximeter. 1st one was defective.
Also need to inflate balloons. Keep forgetting to buy 'em.
Bottom line. I'm fighting again. We'll see.

More than enough for 1 thread. Thanks for reading. Carlos.

 

[salemgold]

That is awesome that you have found the motivation to take charge of your health, Carlos

Keep up the good fight and please do keep us informed. We are rooting for you!

 

[TyPie]

Carlos,
I have been following your progress through this thread. I'm chiming in here to wish you continued good health, and hoping that you continue to fight the good fight. It sounds like you are on the right track. You are an inspiration! Please keep us informed!!!
(PS - We're all going to want to hear some blues harmonica riffs from you in the near future, so make sure you practice up!)

 

[freeatlast!]

Hey, elbakan1, I too am interested in how you are doing! I hope you will continue to give us updates. How is it going with the harmonica? I have 3 that my husband bought years ago and never did anything with; I too would love to learn to play one - any suggestions for a good instructional program?

I look forward to your next message!

BTW, I'm 67 and smoked for 47 years....Never thought I'd be able to quit, but I now have over a year smoke-free, thanks to vaping! I have not been diagnosed with any respiratory issues, dr. always finds my lungs clear, etc.; however, I do find myself getting winded quickly so I wonder....I don't really want to find out, I guess!

 

[elbakan1]

Howdy!,

Many thanks to ALL for being there for me.
Updates will surely continue.
The harmonica is a great instrument. Not only the sound, but the portability.
I wear headphones while playing, so I can't hear how bad I sound.
The important thing in my case is blowing in and out for now.
Freeatlast!:
You Tube is full of harmonica classes for beginners.
Shortness of breath is common at our age. Mostly lack of exercise.
Being overweight is also a factor. Now, don't trust a GP exam for lungs.
If you feel you're under-par with your age group, go to a Pulmo.
The tests are so simple, they should be included in a real annual check-up.
6 minutes in the treadmill and blowing into a machine. That's it.
COPD can be stopped in the early stages. I waited too long.

That's all for now. I've classes to attend to. Hahaha!!!. Carlos.

 

[elbakan1]

Happy New Year Everybody!!!

Boy, time flies. I thought I've posted 2 or 3 wks ago.
My plans have been derailed more than I wanted
I need a part time job bagging groceries or something that I punch a clock. Not another biz.
Anyway, I'm doing good. But inhaling again. I feel my lungs when I lay down to rest.
Got a flu vaccine and got the flu Twice in less than 2 months. My wife (the nurse) says those were colds.
I'm getting better at the harmonica now that my assistant sings while I play,
Also did the CPAP test. don't need it for now..

I wish THE VERY BEST to ALL of you guys in this year.
May you all get to be 100, and I can see it.

Be happy and Safe, Carlos.