Recovering after smoking - Asthma Message Board

MistyDawn · 02-05-2003, 01:52 PM

I have suffered from asthma since I was little. I almost died twice from it. I'm 23 now. It got much better and I was put on a preventive inhaler (flovent) last year. I have used albuterol about 3-4 times per week all my life. Anyway, every now and then, I'd sneak a puff of a cig or smoke a few while drinking alcohol. I never got asthma from this. I guess I wasn't doing it enough. In November, I was totally stressed so I began smoking daily (about 5-10 per day). The past month, I have tried slowing down. Last week, I couldn't sleep b/c I had two asthma attacks during the night. I know this is due to the smoking. I quit cold turkey the other day and have only had two or three puffs. I feel much better. I am craving like mad but I'd much rather have my lungs. I am a very active person and I work out 4 times a week. My cardiovascular fitness level was excellent before the smoking spree. I need to get back to that point. Any suggestions on how I can recover from my brief period of insanity?

Thanks,
Misty

wrin · 02-06-2003, 12:02 PM

Remember that the anxiety from withdrawal from nicotine can make your asthma worse right off the bat.

Honestly the quitting itself will be its own reward. When your sense of smell and taste comes back and you start getting more energy to do things with, when you're dizzy because you're actually getting enough breath, nobody willb e able to tell you anything that will make you want to quit more than feeling healthy again.

humptydoodle · 02-07-2003, 04:03 PM

I've had asthma for many years & was a 20 a day smoker for around 20 years. I gave up abruptly after being diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I got rid of that but decided not to push my luck any further so gave up the cigarettes. That was over 4 years ago now. I was disappointed when I didn't get the improvement in senses of taste/smell that all the booklets talk about & for the first few weeks I felt awful .It's well worth stopping though. I've saved a huge amount of money & my hair, clothes, breath & home smell much nicer these days. Still got the asthma though lol

laci · 02-07-2003, 04:32 PM

You're nice and young. You'll feel so much better a year from now. I swear.
I'm sure you won't miss the pain from asthma and cigarettes.
I gave up smoking when I was 25 and pregnant with my first. I've never regretted.
Although for the 3 years afterwards, it was awfully hard not to smoke at parties, etc. If you just won't buy any packs then you'll not continue to smoke when you get home from bars or drinking.
If I had a pack on me, I'd always find a place to smoke.
I'm 58 and I'm still being asked how many cigarettes did I smoke for the 10 years between 15-25 years old.