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]

good man steps (or woman) the sort of art i do is here www.contemporarypaint.co.uk its my website , but that is really only a very small proportion of it I do mostly painting but also my digital art is very popular anfd I do lots of photography ..i am doing a masters degree at the moment having finished a B.A last year ...I wish you every success in making your jewlery  it will be an excellent way to keep positive ..I love my art it is the single biggest driving force in my life (apart from my good lady)

to mpongo I too quit smoking last week and even tho I was only having like one or 2 spliffs a week I can feel the difference , and by that I dont mean all good , at first (I know cos Ive quit a few times) it has the effect of opening new bits of lung and because they are a bit knackered they take time to get working properly . I think it takes about 4-6 weeks before you start to really feel an improvement,

[mpongo]

Thanks Pete, my breathing is getting better I guess.

When I breathe, I'm feeling that an obstacle on the way to my lungs that has been there before, is removed now! Every breathe feels so fresh like I'm eating a mint candy, if you know what I mean. Also as if I'm feeling the parts of my lungs when air travels along.

At the same time, I'm having a constant dizziness for two days. My resting heart beat goes up to 80 (rarely 100) sometimes, which is normally between 60-75. Kind of worried about these two symptoms.

[pete3867]

yeah i know what you mean about the mint candy, in my opinion , I think you should write down how you feel at say 10 tonight and then 10 tommorow morning and then contrast that to say a month from now , did you smoke heavily ?

[mpongo]

I smoked a pack a day since high school. My heart rate right at this moment is 68.

I hope this dizziness is gone soon because I want to start cycling in a few days.

[pete3867]

dude, yer gonna be fine , but ffs never smoke again

[mpongo]

I really appreciate the support Pete.

I had a strange feeling in my lungs now, not pain but as if I got cold (which could really happen as I walked a lot outside) I feel like 'my lungs are there'.

Still dizziness coming and going, with a little SOB (lighter and different than before).

I'm worried about these which makes me nervous and anxious. I'm listening to myself/my body a lot lately, which I normally don't.

There is no way I'll smoke again for sure. Not that I hate it, but I cannot stand to get these all over again.

It's late here and will try to sleep now.