Do I have the beginning signs of emphysema?
Posted in technique on 12/19/2008 06:50 am by HealinPower
Concerned D asked:
I quit smoking (again) 2 months ago but still fell like I can’t take a deep breath..I’ve been trying deep yogic breath techniques but my lungs aren’t opening up to take deeper breaths. Also, when I hold my breath I get dizzy, sometimes really dizzy to where I’m bent over holding my legs. It only last a few seconds but this seems pretty abnormal. Also, I was having problems waking up dizzy before I quit ( I haven’t had this problem since I quit) I have smoked on and off for 18 years. I quit because my lungs were hurting and felt like I couldn’t breath. I’m a relatively active person, I can exercise on the treadmill without any problems, or at least I don’t notice any…I just can’t open up the lungs enough to get a good satisfying deep breath. I feel like I’m not absorbing the oxygen and that’s why I get dizzy….Am I just having anxiety? Does it sound like I have permanent damage? I quit smoking 3 years ago for one year and smoked occasionally when I drank for 2 years…but for the past 8 months I have been stress smoking…Sometimes every 15 minutes…How long does it take for the lungs to start healing themselves from heavy smoking? Is it normal to still have these breathing difficulties after quitting for 2 months?
I quit smoking (again) 2 months ago but still fell like I can’t take a deep breath..I’ve been trying deep yogic breath techniques but my lungs aren’t opening up to take deeper breaths. Also, when I hold my breath I get dizzy, sometimes really dizzy to where I’m bent over holding my legs. It only last a few seconds but this seems pretty abnormal. Also, I was having problems waking up dizzy before I quit ( I haven’t had this problem since I quit) I have smoked on and off for 18 years. I quit because my lungs were hurting and felt like I couldn’t breath. I’m a relatively active person, I can exercise on the treadmill without any problems, or at least I don’t notice any…I just can’t open up the lungs enough to get a good satisfying deep breath. I feel like I’m not absorbing the oxygen and that’s why I get dizzy….Am I just having anxiety? Does it sound like I have permanent damage? I quit smoking 3 years ago for one year and smoked occasionally when I drank for 2 years…but for the past 8 months I have been stress smoking…Sometimes every 15 minutes…How long does it take for the lungs to start healing themselves from heavy smoking? Is it normal to still have these breathing difficulties after quitting for 2 months?
Anyways, I don’t have insurance so It’s hard to just go to the doctor. I’ve been trying breathing techniques to improve lung capacity but it doesn’t seem to be working…Am I just getting all worked up and stressing myself out? Or should I try a seek medical help immediately. 
I’m just short of an anxiety attack! I’m 37 so I’m not so young and have been smoking more than 1/2 my life…WOW that’s scary…Hope I don’t have it…Answers from people who have had similar experiences would be great, and any suggestions for healing the lungs and making them stronger would help also…
Thanks…
Elizabeth