I was recently diagnosed with

Stage I or mild emphysema. I’ve had symptoms of shortness of breath on exertion especially on hot or humid days. I also seem to have a lot of oralpharyngeal mucus. I don’t know if thats related. I know emphysema causes a lot of mucus production.

I smoked 2 packs a day the normal way by inhaling them for 7 years then quit at age 23. After that, I just puffed on them, I did not inhale. Did that until 2006 then quit. Too late. Damage done.

Emphysema always gets worse over time even if you don’t ever smoke again.

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i worry sometimes i may have damaged my lungs by smoking. especially after i smoked like prob almost 2 packs a day unfiltered for a year or two. after that i started getting shortness of breath after eating and ive read thats a sign of copd. i hope its ok.

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How old are you?

mid 30s. started the shortness of breath when i was prob 28

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Are you overweight or obese?

no. 5’4" 130s pounds…so its not a weight thing causing it

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Are you short of breath after walking a couple of blocks or after ascending a flight of stairs? @irrelevant

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yeah i get short of breath walking up a short hill, but i dont know why that has happened cause i can jump around my house for 30 min straight and be ok. so maybe im ok. i have had chest pain and shortness of breath walking from the end of a parking lot before but its not consistant so may be anxiety.

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It can’t be anxiety if you’re not worried about anything and you’re not thinking anxious thoughts. Chest pain and shortness of breath on exertion, and shortness of breath after eating are not normal. You should see your doctor about it. @irrelevant

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i went to a cardiologist and have a stress echo coming up so hopefully that will give some info. dont think my lungs are on their radar tho. since i switched to oral nicotine and dont smoke anymore drs seem to not even realize that i used to smoke.

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Why don’t you inform them of your smoking history @irrelevant ? That’s important.

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i tell the person who does the intake like “i used to smoke but now i use oral nicotine” and the drs never bring it up. i guess i could bring it up but i hardly talk. ill ask my mom to bring it up at the appointment to discuss the results.

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I also have shortness of breath after climbing up stairs in a hurry. And I sometimes cough up mucus. Not diagnosed yet but they might find something similar.

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Your doctors know you have a smoking history. Because you informed your intake worker and you’re now on oral nicotine. @irrelevant

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I’m sorry @SkinnyMe but hopefully you’ll be able to manage it ok

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But do you get short of breath after climbing a flight of stairs at a moderate pace? Not in a hurry? @Andrey

Thankyou @Wave. I used to be a pulmonary nurse so I know all about emphysema and how to care for myself.

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Yeah that happens to a lot of smokers if not all of them. unfortunately smoking ain’t healthy

And @SkinnyMe i hope you get better soon

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Thankyou @AwesomeFisherman.

Mm, nope. But I was a marathon runner a decade ago. The worsening in physical stamina has dealt a bitter blow to my confidence…

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