Will i go same way?!
Question: this may sound daft but ever since i lost my mum when she was 57 to lung disease i have had obsessions about lung disease and getting what she had,although my mum had a long history of respitory problems-puemonia when 18 permanently scarred a lung which resulted in years of slight breathing problem which she never got treated then she developed asthma which later developed emphesema and died .i have had no respitory trouble through my life--i am 49,but i do smoke and i know a lot of you reading this will say give up but i have suffered panic disorder since i was 18 and for years have reached for a cigarrette when feeling panicky and i guess relied on them which is mad i know but with a history of nervousness i know i would have trouble giving up.but if my mum always had breathing trouble and i havent and still dont,whats the likelihood of me going the same way?i asked my doctor but not helpful
Answers: this may sound daft but ever since i lost my mum when she was 57 to lung disease i have had obsessions about lung disease and getting what she had,although my mum had a long history of respitory problems-puemonia when 18 permanently scarred a lung which resulted in years of slight breathing problem which she never got treated then she developed asthma which later developed emphesema and died .i have had no respitory trouble through my life--i am 49,but i do smoke and i know a lot of you reading this will say give up but i have suffered panic disorder since i was 18 and for years have reached for a cigarrette when feeling panicky and i guess relied on them which is mad i know but with a history of nervousness i know i would have trouble giving up.but if my mum always had breathing trouble and i havent and still dont,whats the likelihood of me going the same way?i asked my doctor but not helpful
You won't get the same thing as your mom since her's started with a bout of pneumonia which left scarring in the lung. That's not hereditary.
But, I can tell you this....smoking definitely causes COPD, lung cancer, mouth cancer, airway cancer, heart attack, heart disease, artery disease, etc. The longer you smoke the higher your risk.
If you are a type "A" personality you need to talk to your doctor about other ways of reducing that stress before it's too late. Exercise is a great way to deal with nervousness, panic disorders, etc. along with medications that address that specific issue. Therapy can also help. I would try hypnosis or acupuncture. They are great modalities and you would see great benefit by using them.
I'm not going to tell you to quit smoking, because you have to make that decision for yourself. Smoking is a crutch plain and simple. It's addicting just like heroin or cocaine is. Once you realize this, you can stop, especially if your life depends on it.
Take care my friend. Hope this helped.
maybe either ask your doc for meds for your panic disorder or see a different doc, maybe a psych who can help you soht you can quit the cigs but still have something that can help with your disorder. good luck.
Don't try to guess if you might develop lung problems like your mother. Just assume it's very likely that you might and do everything to prevent damaging your lungs. Which means, of course, stop smoking. Talk to your doctor again, or another doctor, and get some medication for anxiety. Believe me it will help you tremendously. You might just need a very small dose of med to curb that anxiety.
I wish you well.
Stop smoking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!