smoking - Smoking Cessation Message Board

farfaraway12 · 07-05-2005, 04:19 PM

I've only been a smoker for about 2 years or maybe less. Though I smoked pretty heavily during that time. And not just cigarettes. Bongs etc.

My lungs feel pretty bad. Not wheezy, just a bit heavy and horrible, and a bit tingly. Smokers, you know the feeling. I imagine it's how asthma sufferers feel. They've actually felt alot worse since I stopped smoking about a month ago.

How long would a full recovery take? If ever? Is there anything I can do to speed it up? How do I test my lung power? Should I be worried about disease etc?

Thanks.

alsaser · 07-07-2005, 02:45 AM

You are very wise to quit smoking. I smoked for nearly 10 years (and a bit of weed) and experienced the heaviness in my lungs. I quit smoking and starting feeling better within a few months. You may have already, but you will probably start coughing up gunk.
From what I've studied, smoking for only two years has almost no health risks, as long as you don't go back, especially the weed (that kills your lungs). Your lungs should completly go back to normal in about a year. {removed} Also, exercise!!! That is the best way to increase your lung capacity. What ever you like running, any kind of aeribic activity but include weight training at least twice a weak, it doesn't have to be heavy weights, but that will strengthen your heart and expand your lungs.
There is also a lung capacity test. You put a measuring tape around your chest, like right over your heart and measure it. Than take a deep breath and measure it again and see how many more inches. [For example, mine is 33 inches, when I inhale very deeply, it is 35 inches.] Keep track of these two
numbers and every couple months, you can redo it and you will notice the
second # getting higher. I can't remember what a healthy lung spand is, but maybe someone else will. I'm sure no specialist, so sorry if this doesn't help much. Congrats on quitting. good decision!

Johnsternow · 07-07-2005, 02:21 PM

farfaraway12,

Thank God and congratulations on your quitting!!! I think it is important to mention that your odds might be better for some recovery now that you are quitting. It is hard to say how much damage is done and how much will recover. For one thing you sound fairly young because of the amount of time doing it. Your odds will be better for that. The weed thing is pretty bad too. That stuff can be pretty rough and more harsh and toxic at times if you got some bad stuff. I’m not sure about today but years ago they said people were frying their lungs out because they were spraying insecticides and some other chemicals to make them grow faster. They did not care what it did to you because it was all illegal and who would stop them. That’s what some said anyway. Another simple test for lung capacity and tests is the ones they use for asthma. You blow in a hose and try to raise a ball to whatever #. More sophisticated machinery is used to measure that as well. I do agree with alsaser that you should start coughing up some serious nasties in the next few months too.

Good luck and hang in there.

JohnD

Deda · 07-07-2005, 05:05 PM

Congratulations, farfaraway12! Best to quit while you are still young before real damage is done, and the stupid habit gets ingrained deeper into your brain! I really don't think you have too much to worry about, having only smoked for 2 years. Just think what we older folks have to worry about, after smoking 20, 30 years and more!

!!!!

I think you will be fine. If you really are that concerned about it, speak to your Dr., possibly ask for a PFT to see what your lung capacity truly is. If you don't have asthma, or any other symptoms, I doubt they would even do it for you...but maybe you can at least get a chest xray out of them.

I agree with alsaser, EXERCISE!! I do this a lot more now that I don't smoke. (It's easier now) Ride your bike, or walk a couple of miles a day...you'll grow to love it, and may even become addicted to that! It makes us feel sooo good! And it's very good for your lungs, drawing in all of that oxygen. Take a good multi vitamin, and fish oil capsules are great for your health. Eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies. The more colorful they are, the higher the antioxident content, which is good for preventing disease.

Keep up the good work, and give your self some nice rewards, every now and then!

Deda

~Almost 22 months not smoking now, after 30 years and 10 quits!~