Not a Good Day

[rocketvapor]

I've recently posted about my ongoing chest infections in the 3 months since I quit smoking. I chalked it up to coincidence, but the last 2 or 3 weeks have been really bad. I had been doing better - no more coughing, and I was sleeping great for a change. But now I've been having a dry, hacking cough, wheezing, and feeling "air hungry" and unable to catch my breath. I never breathed this badly when I smoked!

I saw a doctor today, and had several breathing tests before and after a nebulizer treatment. Unfortunately, I've been diagnosed with severe COPD. It looks like I waited too long to quit. So now I'm learning to "embrace the suck" as we say in the military, only this time it's literally in the form of my new inhalers (Spiriva and others).

On the other hand, my doctor asked me how I had quit. When I showed her my PV, she was excited, and said she'd heard about them, and was even thinking about getting one for herself, as she used to be a smoker and still had cravings! I may give her a starter kit as a gift! Ha-ha! She had no problem with my using it.

So, if you or someone you know is undecided about quitting for good, I say "DO IT". Don't wait too long like I did, or you may regret it. COPD can be insidious and sneak up on you if you're not careful. Best of luck to you all.

 

[ladyraj]

Thank you for sharing your story and your service. Your story ended on a positive note and that is a testament to your character...Thank you again, and I hope your health improves or becomes more manageable. -Ruth Ann

 

[Synthesis]

I'm sorry to hear of your health problems. My thoughts are with you; wishing you the best possible outcome.

 

[Mary Kay]

Rocket, you never cease to amaze me! You could have come on here and whined..had a regular pity party..instead you try to inspire others to do something now. My hat is off to you girlfriend!
Hubby had COPD and that's why we started on this journey. He still can't quit..but like you said, vaping couldn't hurt now, it may even improve his changes to breathe better for longer. He has 2 inhalers he has to use and a night time forced air machine. Soon it will be oxygen.
On the other hand, I took the tests and have no sign of COPD after 37 years of smoking. I lucked out!

 

[rocketvapor]

A night time forced air machine???? Sounds absolutely ghastly! This is probably somewhere in my future....on the other hand, I'm not yet dragging an oxygen tank around, so there's that. At least e cigs may have postponed that indignity.

I have a referral to see a pulminologist; maybe he'll have some advice as to longevity and quality of life, as these are very important to me. I don't want to live to 80 if the last 20 years are hoooked up to a breathing machine. That's just my choice, of course, and others may feel differently, but if my lifespan is now seriously curtailed, maybe it's time for early retirement and getting the best of what I have left. I very much want to travel - I have a lot of destinations on my bucket list!

Jeez, sorry to be so negative...I'm not in a good place right now as to my head space and timing (another military term that defies translation!).

But, hey - at least we'll get to meet at the mall next week! (Unless I have to work.) Look for the long-haired lady with the inhaler! Until then - be good; and if you can't be good, be careful!

 

[silkyblue]

RV, I'm new here, but I would love to give you a hug for being so brave. Long time smokers know this is something we all fear.

I did work with a gentleman who was diagnosed with a severe case quite a few years ago (10 - 15) and he was immediately put on medications and oxygen and the prognosis was not very good. He did use the oxygen for maybe a few months, even at work, but I never saw him use it again after that. I see him use the nebulizer on rare occasions, but he seems fine otherwise. So stay positive and keep inspiring others!

 

[Mary Kay]

It's just a mini mask like the oxygen they give you in the hospital..it blows fresh air into your nose. If you snore or have nases that collapse..it really helps get air into your lungs when you sleep. The whole thing is the size of a briefcase with the hose and nose plugs coming out of it. Mike really doesn't mind it.

I will look for you next sat. I will be the one drgging a relultant hubby. He hates going shopping at the mall!

 

[SudokuGal]

Jeez, sorry to be so negative...I'm not in a good place right now as to my head space and timing (another military term that defies translation!).

No need to apologize!! You're dealing with something that is life altering; you'll probably bounce back and forth between the positive and the negative.

You'll be in my prayers.

 

[Kimerpuff]

Rocket, you are in my prayers as well! You are an inspiration, as MaryKay said!
Vent on if you need to! We are here for the good and the bad

My man uses a C-Pap at night, but its not from smoking. He has sleep apnea and will stop breathing 300ish times a night, scary sounding! The C-pap has not only saved his life but has saved us from sleeping in seperate rooms hehe! I used to have to sleep with ear plugs in, the man can snore!!! holy cow! When he first moved in the kids thought there was a monster in the house LOL. It forces him to not snore thus not stop breathing. he loves it now, and wont sleep without it

 

[MadeyeTony]

I hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[Allestaria]

My dad uses one of thse C-pap machines. And your right talk about snoring. He would wake us up as kids when he would snore. Even with the bedroom door closed. Now all ya here is a little humm. Its so much better.

Keep healthy. And I understand your mind set. When life hands you double trouble. Its hard to deal with. I'm sure your a strong women and will fight the best you can!

My mom has breathing problems. They say its allergies and asthma. I disagree and think it is something else. She goes for a sleep test next month. One of her doctors gave her Chantix.. NOT she will not take that garbage. Even if I have to go to her house and raid her meds.

 

[smoobruva]

Get well. Thats a good sign when doctors vouch for ecigs.

 

[Luv2CUSmile]

Oh Rocket! Hope you start to feel a bit better- At least it was found now so they can help you with it... Hope you can get those lungs back into shape little by little- We are praying for you!

 

[PatriciafromCO]

Hig hugs from all of us !!!! sending good thoughts.. Is it possible to heal over time with this? I just hope it's like my friends husband he was really bad several years ago, they didn't have much hope for having many years left. And he was suffering, the oxygen tank, very limited activity.. But now they go everywhere, doesn't need his oxygen tank anymore and he is as active as he wants to be... I hope that for you RV !!!!!!!!!! that now you know what it is, you'll get everything you need to move forward .....

 

[rocketvapor]

You guys are great! Thanks for all the good vibes - it really helps!

I took Friday off from work, just to rest and think. I needed a break, and I always put work first. It was time for a little "me" time, so I just lounged around most of the day, catching up on my DVR-recorded shows and puttering around the house.

I plan to keep up with my meds as prescribed and hope for the best. I've read that COPD isn't something you can make better; when the damage is done, it's done and there's no going back.

At least I can keep it from getting worse by staying off the tobacco. Here's the worst part - I had a breathing test a year and a half ago when I was in the hospital for what they thought was pneumonia. I saw a pulmonologist then, and he didn't say anything about it, even though he had reviewed my records. Last week, the nurse I saw told me she could tell right away from the test results in my records that I had COPD. Basically, I had COPD for all that time and never knew it. If I had known, I could have been under treatment, and it might have made a difference. Maybe not. But I'd like to strangle that pulmomologist right now, let me tell you!

Thanks again for all your kind thoughts!

 

[bikergirl1908]

Hang in there and I hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[mixxy]

Just now seeing this Rocket... and so sorry to hear the news about the COPD. I hope that now that they know this is the problem, you'll be able get a treatment that will at least help!

 

[BARENETTED]

Hey Rocket,

I too am just now seeing this. I will keep you in my prayers.

I know you are a 'survivor' and you will come through with flying colors!

 

[rocketvapor]

My doc gave me Spriva and Flovent inhalers for daily use, and a resuce inhaler. The daily inhalers are working great, and I haven't had an episode since. I haven't even taken the rescue inhaler out of the package.

Next step - getting clearance from the doctor to resume an exercise program, something I lost when my breathing got so bad. Believe it or not, in my day I was something of a gym rat. God, I've gained weight! Ewww.....

I'll keep you all posted. Thanks again for the support!

 

[mixxy]

So happy to hear that the inhalers are helping... and fingers crossed that you'll just keep that 'rescue' one where it belongs.. in it's package!!