I'm on day 18 and almost every evening I have horrible lung pain, even though I'm breathing better. Anyone else ever experienced this?
I'm on day 18 and almost every evening I have horrible lung pain, even though I'm breathing better. Anyone else ever experienced this?
Thank you Nancy! I will check in with Doc next week if it continues.
Hi Annette. I'm about 6 weeks into my quit and I continue to have a heaviness in my chest and in my lungs. I assume this is just because I smoked for so long. The shortness of breath is getting better but a lot of times at night my lungs just feel heavy and I have to use Albuterol. Depending on how long you smoked I think that some of this is probably normal but I agree that you should get it checked out by a doctor if it's sharp pains. Mostly mine is dull pain. And because I smoked for 45 years I don't expect it to get better anytime soon. Maybe after a year or so. But I don't care. I know it would be worse if I was still smoking. At least I am on my way to Freedom. Good luck to you and keep it up!
I also smoked 45 years, and it does feel more like a heaviness than a sharp pain. I have Albuterol so maybe I'll try it. Thanks!
Something to cheer you up. The heaviness has decreased lately. It's not
coming as often or as bad. I started going to the Y and doing yoga and
stretch classes. And the stationary bike. I'm trying to do anything I can
to move my body and get it back to shape. Good luck to you Annette.
Congrats 19 nicotine free days this saturday AnnetteMM How was dr appointment for lung pain? Hope you ok
I haven't called the doc yet. I actually feel better today though.
Good! Because you're a smoker of many years as I am, a lot of this
heaviness is to be expected and is normal. Don't be too quick to throw away
your money on a copay to the doctor for something that she is just going to
tell you is normal. I think sometimes we are all guilty of medicalizing
illness or uncomfortableness because we think it will alleviate our
suffering. But suffering I heard is optional. I know it sounds like a bunch
of crap to those of us with chronic pain. But in a way I think it is true
that we run to the doctor too much for things that are normal and must be
borne. Some just cope better than others. And some of us just want the
doctor to take it away. But instead we must go through it sometimes. I am
guilty of wanting the doctor to take away my pain. In this case I think it
is just going to be a matter of slow steady progress. And I would like to
share my progress with you and have you share your progress with me. The
days can be tough but that doesn't mean we have to do it alone. I for one
have many medical expenses and cannot afford to be running to the doctor
all the time. I have decided to try and slug this out on my own. I do have
connection to my primary doctor through the patient portal on the web. I
send her a message every few weeks and tell her that I'm still smoke free!
And she sends me back a message saying I knew you could do it. Keep going!
Take care kiddo. And every hour, every minute we stay smoke free, our
bodies are healing! Our minds just have to catch up to what is going on.
Peace. Bernie
bsheats and AnnetteMM I remember how frustrated I felt when I would read blogs by people who had not been quit for very long but who were feeling very positive results. They were able to walk much longer, be much more active with significantly less shortness of breath. I, on the other hand, did not notice real improvement and I started to feel like something was wrong. I KNEW that COPD was progressive, I also knew that I had it and that I had had pneumonia when I quit which likely left significant damage. After I had been quit for a year and I was being screened for bilateral shoulder replacements, I read a LOT on the COPD group, much of it was posted by Thomas3.20.2010. I was convinced that I needed to see a pulmonologist...I called to make an appointment and it was very difficult to get in, first they did not call me back to make the appointment (that is how this practice handles appointments) and next, the appointment that I finally got was months in the future. I went there knowing what I wanted....I wanted a Low Dose CT Scan, I wanted to know if I had lung cancer...I also wanted a spirometry test so I would know where I stood. I had become aware of the importance of these screenings through the group...I am a retired RN but most of my experience was in ER and ICU and not in diagnostics and the COPD patients we saw were usually in crisis. I finally got in to see the pulmonologist and I told her that I wanted a spirometry test and the CT Scan. Mind you, I was terrified of what the results might be. The spirometry test was dismal...my lungs were terribly damaged and while the CT Scan did not show cancer, it DID show that there was significant damage to my upper lobes so I was scheduled for something called a VQ Scan and that showed that I might benefit from surgery to have my upper lobes of my lungs removed because the lower lobes were significantly less damaged and they felt that removing the upper lobes would allow the lower lobes to move up into that space. I was told that the surgery would not cure me but that it would ideally improve the quality of my life for 3 - 5 years and I would possibly be a candidate for a lung transplant. Given the fact that I was in my 60's, I was and I AM very negative about a transplant for someone of my age who caused this damage to myself to take a set of healthy lungs from a donor that could possibly help a younger person. I had the surgery in November of 2015, I had been quit for one year and ten months at that time...it was my 666th day of freedom (some people thought I should reschedule the surgery). I would not have been eligible to have the surgery if I had not been smoke free for at least a year. The surgery was grueling, to put it mildly, it was more painful than I could possibly have prepared for. I spent three days in ICU and I was discharged in significant pain but I desperately wanted to be at home, in my own bed. I know that I had improvement from the surgery and I know that I have certainly helped to slow the progress of my COPD by staying smoke free, by practicing regular exercise, and by eating a healthy diet. I kind of hate to think where I would be without it. I am on oxygen at night only, I have been since before the surgery because I had a night time study of my oxygen saturations and they dropped dramatically at night. I had another spirometry test this past August and the results were significantly better than the original ones. The technician could not believe the original results had been so bad. I am scheduled for annual CT Scans...in fact, I am due now. I see the pulmonologist every six months unless I have a problem. The surgeons who wanted to do my shoulders were kind of annoyed that I did not want to pursue that right now. I am MUCH stronger now than I was when they were screening me. Obviously, I cannot do anything about the damage to the bones or the fact that both of my rotator cuffs are completely torn and my biceps have also both torn...what I DO have is the commitment to exercise and to build whatever muscles and tendons I have left. Back when I was being screened, I was dislocating one shoulder or the other at least once a week. Now, it is much less often, I go several months without it happening. I am suggesting that you might want to consider asking your doctor for a Spirometry test, just to get a baseline. It is not expensive. Depending upon your insurance, the CT Scan MAY be covered...but I do not know. Mine are being done because the hospital I go to received a grant to do CT Scans on people who met certain criteria. There is no cost to me.
I have chronic pain...most of the time, I push through it, sometimes, I cannot. One way or another, I don't feel sorry for myself because there are a whole lot of people in much worse shape than I am.
Ellen
Wow Ellen, you really have been through the mill. My hat's off to you. I am glad you are here to educate us newbies. I did have a spirometry test at Mayo Clinic this last summer when I went for there quit smoking program, though I only stayed off cigarettes for 3 weeks, I did learn a lot and they did a spirometry test. My lung function was at 34%. That scared the hell out of me. It improved slightly with Albuterol. I bet if I wait 6 months and have another one it will come out a lot better. I did have a CT scan about a year ago and several nodules in my lower left lung had not change size or shape since the last time they used a scan on it. So they said basically I was okay as far as lung cancer goes. But I have pretty bad emphysema, they didn't tell me what stage. I guess I didn't want to know.
I agree with you Ellen about taking a pair of lungs from a donor at our age. Much better to go to a younger person who has a longer life ahead of them. And who hasn't done the damage themselves to their own lungs. Easy for me to say. But faced with certain death I might change my mind.
did I tell you I graduated to the 14 mg patch? It's my second day on it. A good notice the drop-in nicotine and actually use nicotine gum yesterday to get through the day. I don't use it very often because I don't like it but it helped me yesterday.
bsheats Good for you, dropping the nicotine. I am glad that you had a spirometry and the CT scan...I was so scared when I was waiting for those results. I work pretty hard to keep going now. I honestly don't think I would be a candidate for a transplant any more...my scoliosis is so bad that they would have to remove ribs to keep them from crushing normal sized lungs. I can also tell you that after going through that last surgery...there is no way that I will voluntarily go through something like that again. To wake up from surgery and have chest tubes sticking out of you on both sides is horrifying and the pain is like nothing I have ever endured and I am no wimp when it comes to pain.
I am glad you had the testing and you are aware of where you stand. I asked what stage my COPD was in and my doc said "moderate"...really?
Ellen
Hi Ellen. Thanks for your response. I am on the 14 mg. patch for another 3
weeks before I go down to the 7 mg. I tried augmenting the patch with the
gum since they sent it to me free from the MN quitplan program, but after
several days of chewing it (and I know you don't chew continuously) I
developed some pretty severe mouth sores like I've never had. I won't be
using it anymore. I can't even wear my partial that provides chewing
surface to the right side of my mouth. It's digging into the place that is
worn through and bleeding. So much for nicotine gum.
Otherwise, my life is pretty much as it has been. I've been going to the
YWCA for stretch and yoga classes and that helps my pain. But the list of
responsibilities around the house hasn't decreased but only increased, so
much happening with the senior and sophomore grandkids. And I try to
maintain relationships with my own children, 3 of them. I actually went to
a movie 2 Sundays in a row with my youngest, Elliot. My butt was hurting
fantastically by the end of the movie. I have taken to putting Ben Gay on
it, but it only lasts an hour or so. I might try the patches like icy hot
and see if that works better. I have issues with my sitting bones, "ischial
tuberosities". They tried steroid injections but they didn't help. I hate
that I can't sit, because I love knitting but the sitting is impossible. If
I had just the right chair that would take the pressure off the bones but
still keep me upright enough to knit . . .
Well, off the begin my Saturday chores. Picking up clutter, putting things
away, making a grocery list and meal plan for the next week (my husband has
to shop), and doing laundry. Will keep me busy all day. I just don't feel
right if things aren't tidied up, rugs shaken, surfaces wipes, you know,
the way our mother's taught us.
Anyway, hope you have a good day. And it's going to be a fantastic day
BECAUSE WE'RE SMOKE FREE! 47 days for me.Bernie
Virus-free.
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On Sun, Jan 14, 2018 at 8:36 PM, elvan <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
Have you tried one of these? Nova 3in. Convoluted Foam Cushion Without Cover for 18"x16" Wheelchair | Walgreens
I used one when I came home from the rehab hospital and was sitting for long periods of time.
Hope it might help?
Sorry youngatheart, I dont remember your name. Thank you for the
suggestion. I will check it out. Was it just a thick foam pillow?
On Jan 20, 2018 12:10 PM, "Youngatheart.7.4.12" <
It is foam with thick fingers that stick up so the weight is distributed and not in one place. It provides support without pressure. I have seen them for sale IN Walgreens. They are mostly used by people in wheelchairs because their sits bones Just put a pillow case over it - no need for a cover.
I hope it will help!
Nancy
Thank you Nancy!
On Jan 20, 2018 1:37 PM, "Youngatheart.7.4.12" <
I also use those neck pillows that are designed for travel...I use two of them and move them around to get the pressure off my sensitive areas. I move them around, a LOT.
Ellen, I can't even imagine the pain you went through, and still go through. My little tiny bit of heaviness is nothing compared to that. Thank you for sharing your story. Much love,
Annette
You sound like you've got this...good. As we get older, we need to be more patient with our bodies...God know they were patient with our addiction.
XOXO,
Ellen
Thank you, Bernie! I do feel a tiny bit better every day, and I'm starting to think of the heaviness as more grief than physical pain. I breathe just fine, so I'm not going to the doctor unless something dreadful happens. I had a physical just this past October and my breathing test came out at 85%, so I'm not worried. And at 61 years old, I figure I'm going to heal a lot slower. As long as I keep busy I'm doing okay! Hang in there yourself, and keep coming back.
Annette
I read your post Ellen, elvan and wow, you have gone through a lot, but I like how you classify everything.
I look at myself, and the things I have been experiencing, and then this original post by AnnetteMM and reading bsheats comments, I realize that I too have been struggling with my lungs as of late. I have been finding it difficult to get good deep breaths of air into my lungs, and I didn't notice that when I was a smoker. In fact, when I quit
smoking at first, I thought the quality of taking in oxygen had improved considerably for about the first month and a half, but now it's a struggle to get a good deep breath in when I need to. It angers me that I caused so much harm to my body. I have recently had a EKG performed with a stress test as I have been experiencing some chest pain, and they say my arteries are clear, but that there are a couple of valves that are leaking slightly.... but that the leakage should not be causing any pain! Now I read all of this today, and I know it's from quitting and all the harm I was doing for 43 years!
When I smoked, did smoking just mask all of what I feel now? Because I honestly did not feel all the things I have been going through since quitting. There is nothing that will make me go back to smoking, but I have jokingly said "If I just started smoking again, my digestive track would go back to normal" when actually it would continue being harmed by smoking!
I find I get angry for ever smoking all those years. At myself..... But, in the end, I look at how things are now, and I'm completely happy. Every little pain I feel now, well....it will get better, I hope!
Whatever ...... I will never smoke again! This much I know!
I hear ya, Sandy! I never felt any of this stuff before either. Sometimes I'm not sure if it's lung pain or heartburn, actually. I had a friend who liked to say "I'd rather feel pain than be dead inside", and it seems apropos now.
Oh since quitting I have had to go have upper GI, I have full blown acid indigestion, I take a daily pill for it! It beats eating TUMS all day long! But hey, acid indigestion won't kill me like smoking was doing! I'm sure we will get better as our bodies adjust! I am just so glad I don't smoke anymore! It really did consume my time! I despise it more and more daily when I see how much I accomplish on a day to day! We will get better!
You might want to have a spirometry test done. That is an, easy inexpensive test to check out lung function.
SO glad you have quit!
Nacncy
I think I'm going to look into that soon Nancy! Does regular doctor do this? Or pulmonologist?
I think it's available at your General Practitioner, but I will ask Thomas3.20.2010 by mention to be sure! He should get back to us.
Nancy
Sandy, most doctors have the spirometer in their office. Based on their results they may order a full pulmonary function test that could be done at your nearest hospital.
hi Sandy yes I think a lot of us are finding out that it takes a long time
to get rid of that heavy feeling in the chest I certainly don't expect it
to go away at least for a few more months but we have done what we need to
do which is to stop adding insult to injury by quitting smoking. keep up
the good work and never take one puff ever. stay the course!
Bernie
On Jan 22, 2018 8:50 AM, "Sandy-9-17-17" <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
Thank you, I will definitely look into this!
I had one - it's just breathing out real long and fast for as much as you can. Piece of cake.
Annette, do you have COPD? I do. And the spirometry test is very difficult for me. I almost pass out from the effort. I am glad it is easy for you but you still have 85% of your lung function so that explains it. I am so glad you quit before you got to the point where I am at. Good for you! Keep going. Don't give up.
no problem. Was not offended. I am happy for you!
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On Fri, Jan 26, 2018 at 9:53 AM, AnnetteMM <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
I am sorry no one here responded to your blog. I missed it, as well. In my five years volunteering here, I have not heard of this before. I did find this from a Google search, but if it continues, I would have it checked by your doctor: Coughing, Chest Pains and Respiratory Problems. Quitting smoking can also lead to (temporary) respiratory problems: sharp chest pains, coughing and cold/flu like symptoms e.t.c. A number of sites attribute this to the body clearing itself up.
I wrote a blog for the newly quit and asked for contributions from our members that you might find useful: For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too).
Congratulations on your decision to quit and your first 18 days! You are doing GREAT!
Nancy