Emphysema at 32?

[mpongo]

Hi, I'm a 32 years old male. I felt shortness of breath 4 weeks ago, and quit smoking since then. I went to ER first and doctor said anxiety migth be the cause.

Few days later I've seen another doctor (a very good pulmonary specialist) to make sure. He checked my chest x-ray (taken at ER previously), said there's nothing serious to worry about, advised me to quit smoking and mentioned 'a start or beginning emphysema' (don't remember the exact words).

I still feel a little shortness of breath, especially at nights. I've read on forums, that this also happens to many people as a result of quitting smoking (along with some other withdrawal symptoms).

The thing is I don't feel shortness of breath at all when I exercise or walk/run outside. Contrary I feel a lot better if I exercise when I feel SOB. It's getting better and better each day from the time I quit 4 weeks ago.

[pete3867]

yes , I feel very up and down , mentally , like one minute Im thinking about how I will top myself before I start panting , the next im like oh I'll be O.K ...other symptoms include ..lung pains ....but they feel much clearer ....anxiety... breathlessness ..that sorta isnt really breathlessness at all (if that makes any sense) ..I havnt had diziness but I spoke to someone the other day who mentioned it ..and I think the tiredness you have is your body and mind 'coming down' to normality again ...I feel the same , i.e I feel much better generally speaking every day ....just to put your mind at ease , and it put mine at ease ..if your feeling up to reading some scientific stuff , this article ...http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/full/161/2/381
is really assuring  ;; i.e if you quit , and stay smoke free at a young ish age , under 45 ....your gonna be FINE...I feel much better after reading it ...maybe I wont top myself just yet (joke)

[mpongo]

Thanks for the support Pete. Dizziness gone again today. Today I only feel tired and numbness. Your diary idea is a good one but I hope I recover soon and won't need to log these at all.

Steps, what withdrawal symptoms did you have or still having, could you name a few?

[Steps]

Hi Pete,  And everyone.   I looked at your website Pete your art and my jaw dropped.  Wow. For everyone who has quit smoking stay that way.  I went to a pulumary specialist. She told me she has seen worse lungs than mine in non smokers.Go figure. I am lucky in that i should be ok. Frankly they really don't know. For all you young people here who have quit stay that way. If you have a little emphyazema you never-the less- have it. Quitting is the best. Walking is good. Good diet etc. be postive.  I have had rough time sleeping its from quitting smoking.  For me its been 6 weeks no cigs. Right now i am having a with drawel of nicotine so intense still but you know what, it will go away and i won't have had a cigarette. Just ride out the withdrawels. You guys are positve encouraging, its awesome.

[pete3867]

yeah , as you know I too quit about two weeks ago and I have been up and down like a hoe's draws ,,,I kinda get breathless but if I take short shallow breaths it goes away ....no logic there either... if I were you I would set a date and keep a diary , say once a week , even if its only a txt doc on yer computer ...I know exactly what your going through as I am going through very similar things .. stopping smoking is a frickin rollercoaster ride especially when you have the word e-m-p-h-y-s-e-m-a to reckon with on top ...my guess is that yours will reverse itself ...mine may be more entrenched, Im kinda like you would be if you haddnt quit smoking , and I aint at all bad , I was shocked when they told me cos even my asthma is well under control now;;;anyhow lets hope BOTH of us and everyone else on this site are gonna be OK  

[mpongo]

I really hope it is Pete. I tend to think that these symptoms are more related to quitting as you said.

There is one other possibility I can think of (as I had not eaten well lately and slightly underweight) which is anemia that could cause SOB and dizziness.

I'll see my specialist and ask for deeper investigation (pulmonary funcion tests and blood tests) if symptoms remain the same for longer.

[pete3867]

I think the dizziness is because your getting moe oxygen on your brain than its used to , so really its a good thing