Can't Stop Coughing - Smoking Cessation Message Board

Dondee · 02-17-2004, 09:20 PM

I have a quit date set for early March. I have already quit twice, only to go back. With this new date approaching, I developed a bad cough and it won't go away. I scheduled a doctors appointment for after my quit date, because I know if it's before hand, I will get the 'I have to quit' speech. Anyway, what could the cough be? I am obvioiusly aware and worried about the worst possible scenario. But what are some of problems, outside the worst-case scenario, that this could be?? I'd like to do some resesearch before I see the doctor.

jc001 · 02-17-2004, 10:52 PM

Im sorry you're going through this ... keep tough and I wish you the best of luck for March.

As for the cough, it could be any number of things ... could be bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, a virus, irritated throat, etc ...

All of us smokers hate going to the doctor for breathing, coughing, heart, lung problems amongst other illnesses, but for the faint of the heart schedule an appointment with him ASAP. It's better to be $1000 short (assuming thorough breathing tests, chest X-rays, etc...) than to have had the chance to live a descent life and blow it away because of a month of smoking.

Again, good luck and specially in March

Deda · 02-18-2004, 02:11 AM

Don-Please get it checked out. Did you start with a cold? It could be bronchitis or allergies or a hundred other things, but you shouldn't let a cough go unchecked. Try to give up your smoking earlier, (if you can) and it might just go away. You never know, it could just be a smokers cough, which is from irritation, but you still don't want to let it go unchecked. jc001 is right, get it checked out asap.

DEDA

LL29 · 02-18-2004, 08:41 PM

Amen to that - please go to the doctor's now. You could have walking pnemonia(sp?) and not even know it. When there's something not normal with your body - you should ALWAYS get it checked asap............shoulda, coulda, woulda - don't regret not going later. Even if it's bronchitis or anything - you need to have an antibiotic (assuming) in your system to clear it up.

Besides - when you go in tell the doctor about your quit date so you won't have to hear the lecture.

Best of success and don't forget to say your prayers to help you along

Laurie

90 days smoke free CT

Tobias · 02-19-2004, 08:25 AM

I can identify with your fear of a doctor visit for a persistent cough. You know you're going to get the "stop smoking" lecture. While I was a smoker, I NEVER saw a doctor for a cough. NEVER. I dreaded getting a cold because even minor ones usually went directly to my lower respiratory system and I'd have a cough for weeks. Bronchitis I suppose. Once I'm pretty sure I had pneumonia. Guess I'm a tough (or lucky) customer because I survived all this stuff so I could quit smoking much later and find out that it doesn't have to be a given that every time one gets a cold, one coughs for weeks.

When I smoked I got at least one cold a year which left me coughing for a couple of months at least. I also coughed at night, even when I didn't have a cold. The very minute that I stopped smoking, I stopped coughing. Completely stopped. that was two years ago. I'm so glad I stopped.

You could decide to not wait til March to stop and DO IT NOW. What better motivation?