1. Health

Discuss in my forum

If you have COPD, there are a variety of topics that may be of interest to you? Whether it be learning about the best treatments available for COPD, how a COPD diagnosis is made or how quitting smoking can slow the progression of COPD, each reader is an individual and has their own, specific learning needs.

That being said brings me to the question of the hour---what topics related to COPD are you most interested in learning more about? Perhaps you want to know more about sex and COPD. Maybe you would like to discover more about COPD complications and how to prevent them. It could be that you don't understand a certain topic, like pulmonary function testing, and need more information about it. Whatever the issue, I would like to hear about it. Remember, this is your website. I am here to help you learn everything you can about your disease so that you can enjoy a happy, more productive life.

Today's blog post is a formal invitation to the COPD Forum to let me know how the site can better serve you. Do you have a suggestion for an interesting topic that you are dying to know more about? Do you have a story about your experience with COPD that can benefit others? Did you come to the site searching for information that you were unable to find, only to find it somewhere else? As your COPD guide, my goal is to inundate you with the most up-to-date information about COPD. If I know what you want, I can better accommodate your needs.

I have started a thread in the COPD forum, entitled "Voice Your Opinion". Every effort will be made to include each suggestion in upcoming articles for the site. Hope to see you in the COPD Forum today!

Comments
August 22, 2008 at 8:23 pm
(1) Jace Shoemaker-Galloway says:

Deborah,

What a wonderful invitation on such an important subject! I hope everyone takes the time to leave a message in your forum!

August 22, 2008 at 11:23 pm
(2) Jen says:

I have a suggestion, content regarding traveling with COPD (best places to go, or destinations that are accommodating to persons with COPD), along with “must know” information before you go anywhere. Also, maybe information on myths versus facts regarding COPD.

August 23, 2008 at 10:22 am
(3) Susan Adcox says:

I have friends who smoke, and I have visited your page with suggestions for quitting smoking. I’m interested in exactly how quitting impacts someone who already has COPD.

August 23, 2008 at 10:57 am
(4) Paula Darnell says:

I don’t know too much about COPD, but I’m wondering how likely it is that a person who has asthma will also develop COPD.

August 23, 2008 at 4:21 pm
(5) copd says:

Jace, thank you the support of my blog.

Jen: Actually, travel and cOPD is on my list of to do’s, given to me in my recent review, so I will include these ideas in the articles.

Susan: While quitting smoking will not CURE COPD, it can slow the progression of the disease and hopefully add to years of survival. But, I must emphasize, that once the damage is done, it is done. I have seen many patients in the hospital dying from the disease that quit smoking 20 years ago. I am sure if they would have continued to smoke, they would not have made it another 20 years, so it most likely bought them extra time.

Paula: Asthma is not one of the causes of COPD, alghough it is possible to have both. Many people with asthma get it in early childhood. People with COPD develop it much later in life and it is usually caused by smoking. With asthma, people usually are symptom free between attacks. With COPD, people are rarely free of symptoms. I will blog more about this entire topic tomorrow, so stay tuned, and thanks for the comment as it gave me an idea for a blog post.

August 23, 2008 at 4:29 pm
(6) copd says:

For those of you who made suggestions, I will write them in my log book and include relevant topics in upcoming articles. Thanks, it helps to know what readers want.

August 23, 2008 at 8:15 pm
(7) Amanda Rock says:

I don’t have COPD and don’t smoke but do have asthma — for over 20 years now. I guess I’d want to know more about who is at risk for COPD. I’d also want to know about how to help families cope.

August 23, 2008 at 10:24 pm
(8) Karin says:

What risk does someone who just smokes from time to time at parties have of getting COPD? Someone who might smoke once a month or so, in other words. I think there are a lot of those ‘I never buy a pack but bum at parties’ types out there.

August 24, 2008 at 3:51 pm
(9) copd says:

Karin, I did a bit of research before answering your question. In a study that was conducted from 1970 to 2002, 42,000 people participated in a study to determine the effects of smoking on heart disease and lung cancer. Those who smoked 1-4 cigarettes per day were 3 times more likely to die from heart disease or lung cancer than those who did not smoke at all. The study also talks about the fact that many people have been led to believe that light smoking does not cause health problems. Unfortunately, many of those people are dead wrong, literally. Although the study did not include COPD, there is a link between COPD and lung cancer, so I am sure that if people who smoke even a small amount can get heart disease and lung cancer, then they certainly can get COPD. Here is a link to the study, if you want more information:

http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/health_news/300905lightsmoking.html

Hope that answers your question, and this is a great idea for a blog or article.

Thanks,
Deborah

August 24, 2008 at 3:54 pm
(10) copd says:

Amanda

Here is a link to one of my articles about risk factors for COPD:

http://copd.about.com/od/causesofcopd/a/copdcauses.htm

And here is a link to an article I wrote about coping/living with COPD:

http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcopd/a/living.htm

Hope that helps. I am actually planning some more articles related to coping with the disease for caregivers and family members, so stay tuned. It is on my to do list.

thanks for your comment,
Deborah

August 25, 2008 at 10:30 am
(11) Karin says:

Wow, that’s really interesting! Thanks for looking into it. Makes you think twice about even smoking occasionally, doesn’t it?

August 25, 2008 at 5:34 pm
(12) copd says:

Yes, it does indeed.

August 27, 2008 at 4:58 pm
(13) rjcharris says:

I was just released from the hospital today after a 5 day stay with acute exacerbation of copd. I had my last cigerette on the day I was admitted. I’m extremely depressed. I know a lot of people would not understand, but smoking is a big part of my life. I know I have no choice but to quit, but now I worry how I will make it through each day. I just joined this forum today and have found a lot of helpful information. Thanks for any suggestions to help me deal with this life change.

August 27, 2008 at 7:54 pm
(14) copd says:

Hi RJ, not sure if that is what you initials are. Thank you so much for joining the forum today. I want you to know that I do understand, trust me, I do and I also want you to know that you don’t have to go through this alone. I do have a quit smoking section that can help you that I welcome you to visit. You can find the link here:

http://www.copd.about.com/od/quittingsmoking/Quitting_Smoking.htm

I also want to point you in the direction of the smoking cessation guide site for some added support:

http://www.quitsmoking.about.com

As far as some quit tips, here are my suggestions:

The first thing that I would do is try to stay really busy, so you don’t have time to think about smoking.

Next, I would keep a journal so that you can be really in touch with your thoughts and emotions on a daily basis. Be sure to record those times when you crave smoking the most, and you will begin to see a pattern there.

When you begin to crave a cigarette, try a more healthy distraction, like taking a walk or swim. Furthermore, chew gum, eat hard candy, eat a carrot…anything that will keep your mouth busy as well. Remember, smoking is a very oral fixation, so it is important for you to replace it with something more healthy.

Are you planning to go on a nicotine patch? I usually recommend it so that you don’t have such bad nicotine withdrawels. Also, ask your doctor about Wellbutrin. It can help you fight the depression and the cravings, killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

There is also a drug called Chantex. Here is a link to one of my articles about how one of my readers quit using this drug.You may want to ask your doctor about this, as well:

http://www.copd.about.com/od/quittingsmoking/a/quitstories.htm

Nicotine withdrawel symptoms can be uncomfortable, and I am for anything that will help you feel more comfortable, so I highly recommend seeing your doctor as soon as possible.

Next, if you can, try to pick up a new hobby or get back into an old one that you have been out of touch with for some time. You will now have more money in your pocket, as you won’t be buying cigarettes, so maybe using that money for something fun, creative or both will give you something to look forward to.

Finally, be patient with yourself. You will have good days and bad, until one day you will be on the other side and feeling so much better. You will smell better, your clothes and car will smell better and your skin will look better. And, you will slow the progression of your COPD, which is the best thing that you can do for yourself.

I am so happy that you quit and found my site. If you want to continue this conversation, we can take it to the forum and if you would like, at least in the beginning, feel free to check in with me on a daily basis about how you are doing. Just post a new thread and I will always answer you in a timely manner.

Hope to hear from you in the forum and congratulations, you are on your way to a better life!

August 27, 2008 at 8:09 pm
(15) copd says:

For anyone who is interested, I have started a forum post about having trouble quitting smoking:

http://www.forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-copd&tid=29

Let’s take this to the forum!

December 3, 2008 at 11:13 am
(16) TekDeplebok says:

I am here at a forum newcomer. Until I read and deal with the forum.
Let’s learn!

January 21, 2009 at 11:48 pm
(17) cequenugSic says:

Nothing seems to be easier than seeing someone whom you can help but not helping.
I suggest we start giving it a try. Give love to the ones that need it.
God will appreciate it.

February 19, 2009 at 9:26 pm
(18) Moniboniz says:

Hi people… :)

July 20, 2009 at 10:38 am
(19) MichaellaS says:

tks for the effort you put in here I appreciate it!

August 16, 2009 at 1:09 am
(20) LongtimeSmoker says:

Figure Out Why You Smoke

You may have heard the saying that the first step in solving a problem is admitting you have one. As cliché as the phrase has become, it is undeniably true. You have to figure out why you smoke in order to get rid of those reasons and replace them with reasons why you should not smoke.

Quit With Others

It is easier to quit smoking if you do it with a group of people who are struggling at the same time. You can keep each other in line and offer advice and support through the tough times. There are various online resources for quitting in groups, and your local hospital may have meetings as well.

Throw Out Smoking Related Stuff

Perhaps the first step in quitting smoking is to get rid of all tobacco products, lighters, matches, ashtrays, and anything that smells strongly of smoke and can’t be washed. You are less likely to start smoking again if there is nothing that reminds you of it lying around.
Resource:

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I saw some sites about dem here’s 1: Google Biz Kit

thx for your assistance!

September 6, 2009 at 11:17 am
(22) sepeuromynome says:

Google

doesn’t look legitimate!?!?

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February 2, 2011 at 7:44 pm
(24) Pautic says:

Hallo Forumianer, ich habe von einem Kumpel erfahren dass es sein soll mit dem Hypnotisieren mit dem Rauchen aufzuhoeren… stimmt das?
Hat das schon jemand von euch ausprobiert?
Ich rauche etwa 11 Zigarren jeden Tag und ich mache mir etwas Sorgen um meine Gesundheit…..

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