Women & Smoking

I saw this article in the NY Times and I think it's something we all
need to be aware of regardless of gender. I know very little about
COPD but I know when I see my doctor next month, I am going to ask as
I know I definitely am at risk.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/he...pagewanted=all
is the link and I do hope you find it helpful. Stay strong and stay
smober!

FlatironMike
Nine months, two weeks, four days, 11 hours, 37 minutes and 47
seconds. 5829 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,748.90. Life saved: 2
weeks, 6 days, 5 hours, 45 minutes.

On 29 nov, 16:08, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I saw this article in the NY Times and I think it's something we all
> need to be aware of regardless of gender. I know very little about
> COPD but I know when I see my doctor next month, I am going to ask as
> I know I definitely am at risk.http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/he...=1&hp=&oref=sl...
> is the link and I do hope you find it helpful. Stay strong and stay
> smober!

Mike, I know emphysema is incurable but, by quitting smoking, you
surely done something to slow the progress *if* you already acquired
it. What many people fail to see tho is that, with emphysema, it's not
trouble with inhaling (why I never understand the "breathing through a
straw" comparison) but the inability to exhale that causes the
shortness of breath. If you have reasons to worry, by all means, talk
to your doctor but, please, do not allow articles like this to drive
you crazy with worry.

Inky,

Free since 22/06/07. No nicotine for 5 months, 1 week, 11 hours, 48
minutes and 28 seconds. That's 4814 stinkers not smoked, saving EURO
510,50. Reclaiming 2 weeks, 2 days, 17 hours, 10 minutes.

On Nov 29, 9:08 am, FlatIronMike <FlatironMike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I saw this article in the NY Times and I think it's something we all
> need to be aware of regardless of gender. I know very little about
> COPD but I know when I see my doctor next month, I am going to ask as
> I know I definitely am at risk.http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/he...=1&hp=&oref=sl...
> is the link and I do hope you find it helpful. Stay strong and stay
> smober!
>
> FlatironMike
> Nine months, two weeks, four days, 11 hours, 37 minutes and 47
> seconds. 5829 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,748.90. Life saved: 2
> weeks, 6 days, 5 hours, 45 minutes.

My Mom just emailed me....

"There is a great article in today's New York Times about what I have
and the
treatments, etc.

Mom"

Too late....... the yodeling gnome master already sent it to me.
Good job Mike.
And. Happy Birthday!

Inky, I am NOT worried by any means but I do want to discuss the topic
in a general manner with him. I do know that I was told two years ago
I was in a pre-emphysema state and that was the beginning of my
thinking and trying but failing on my own again to quit. I wasn't
told this last year with my physical and I expect I might be lucky but
I still think having knowledge is much better than having to scramble
to learn after getting a diagnosis.

FlatironMike
Nine months, two weeks, four days, 19 hours, 56 minutes and 25
seconds. 5836 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,750.98. Life saved: 2
weeks, 6 days, 6 hours, 20 minutes.

Good find Mike !

I want to know how if Docs can even diagnose this ? From the article, looks
like it goes mostly unseen.

Steve

NicoDemon Free for Two weeks, three days, 20 hours, 53 minutes and 51
seconds. Didn't smoke 536 cigarettes so far, saving $91.14 for motorcycle or
puter parts. Extended my life expectancy at least: 1 day, 20 hours, 40
minutes. I put my last one out on Nov 11th 2007 @ 10:03 PM and will not
cheat a single smoke.

On Nov 29, 7:57 pm, "Steve" <sew199...@spamyahoo.com> wrote:
> Good find Mike !
>
> I want to know how if Docs can even diagnose this ? From the article, looks
> like it goes mostly unseen.
>
> Steve
>
> NicoDemon Free for Two weeks, three days, 20 hours, 53 minutes and 51
> seconds. Didn't smoke 536 cigarettes so far, saving $91.14 for motorcycle or
> puter parts. Extended my life expectancy at least: 1 day, 20not
> cheat a single smoke.

Well Steve, this is what they do:
1. They listen to your lungs
2. They send you to have an x-ray of your lungs
3. (sometimes) They send you to have a pulmonary function test done,
where you have to exhale into a machine.

Then, when you do all three, like I just did today they tell you you
have COPD. However, when I did my PFT - I passed with flying color, I
have no wheezing nor do I have a cough, so tomorrow I will go take a
look at my x-rays, since I have seen my husbands many times (he had
COPD, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer) and know what to look for.
I just don't trust this doctor, he has only been in practice for 5
years and he lacks a lot of doctor - patient etiquette.

So for now, I will not take the Albuterol inhaler because it makes me
sick, and also it makes no difference with my breathing problem, which
I suspect is the result of my tachycardia (heart rhythem problem).

All I can tell you "STAY QUIT AND STAY AWAY FROM ANYBODY THAT STILL
SMOKES" if at all possible.

Love Lizzy

Lizzy! I do agree with you about not ever smoking again and staying
away from smoke as much as possible. As to the doctor's diagnosis, I
would strongly suggest besides looking at the x-rays yourself, get a
second opinion as you could well be right. Take care regardless!

FlatironMike
Nine months, two weeks, five days, 11 hours, 22 minutes and 39
seconds. 5849 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,754.84. Life saved: 2
weeks, 6 days, 7 hours, 25 minutes.