COPD and Can’t Commit to Quitting Smoking

It is very addictive . I started a pac a day at 18 smoked until I was 57 .( 38 years ) Worked for the Forest Service BD Crew. If we weren’t burning off brush, we were fighting a wildfire . I did finally quit smoking at 57 . I had 20 years of good breathing . I had some minor surgery. Twice with general anesthetic. The 2nd one did cause me to come home on oxygen . I was able to get off of it after a week . Then at 77, I experienced shortness of breath . I was diagnosed with emphysema. I was put on a home oxygen concentrator at 4 ltrs. 24/7. And on a rental inogen portable . It didn’t make enough oxygen . I couldn’t walk around with it . I then started using a tank with a cart . Here I am, 3 years later with the same concentrator and cart with tanks for going out . I now have to pace myself . Even with 4 ltrs. I can run down to an 85 on the oximeter . And lower if I push myself . I will be 81 in Sept . I have a lot of arthritis, some very bad joints . Scheduled for surgery on my hand .. I broke my wrist . Had a bad cast . Came out of it with a disjointed thumb . They will be doing a nerve block . Theses are the Golden years ? Don’t get me wrong . I am very alive and enjoy my days. I value my peace. ☮️.

I know 3 people who quit smoking after reading Allen Carr's book "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking". Two of these smoked heavily for many years and I was stunned that they quit after reading a book. I smoked for 43 years and didn't quit until I got sick and basically had to quit. I bought the book for others in my family and read it myself. Very interesting approach. I would recommend it

I’m 54 now and I’ve been smoking since I was nine. I was born four months early so I have an under developed lungs. I have COPD and asthma. I’ve been on NICOTROL nasal spray and it has done wonders for me not smoking.

Yes, I am going through the same thing. Sometimes the withdrawal is intense more of a physical thing. Getting light headed etc. I just started a pulmonary rehab. It’s hard when you live with smokers. I live in Wisconsin and there is no rehab per se here. Doctors say it’s in your head. They have rehab for alcoholics and drug addiction but none for nicotine addiction. I just wish I could go somewhere smoke free and get treatment.

@barboz, I understand what you are going through!!
Did you read the post by @mjb24?
When I was first quitting, I read the Allan Carr book as well.
It was filled with valuable tools and tips and really, really helped explain the psychology behind addiction. Nicotine is the most addictive substance on earth...but the physical withdrawals are nothing like heroin or alcohol withdrawals. With heroin withdrawals you wish you would die...with alcohol withdrawals you will die without help.
I have been smoke free for over 8 years now after being dedicated to my cigarettes for 42 years. The best way to quit smoking is the one that works for you!
Have you heard of the Allan Carr Book, The Easy Way to Quit Smoking?
I highly suggest you read it if you have not...it was a life changer for me.

Yes and I ended up using 3 patches at a time in rotation. Tapered down slowly.

Oh my goodness yes going through the same thing I get so angry at myself that I'm not strong enough nor have the willpower to quit even though it is literally killing me. The depression is unbearable at times!

I quit June 4th, 2026. That was the day I found out I had badder cancer.

I started smoking in 1979. For years, smoking over 1 pack per day. But I was also an athlete, I kept in shape, exercised frequently, and biked more than 20 miles on the weekends. Many people didn't even know I was a smoker. Of course, there was an ugly stigma attached to being a smoker. I was a walking contradiction-- athlete/smoker.

A few years ago, I finally had it consistently cut down to no more than 6-7 cigarettes per day. I was okay with that, no cravings for more. This went on for at least 5 years, I was very disciplined! But it caught up with me, and I started getting more bronchitis and lung infections. It was this spring that I went to the clinic to get antibiotics that also triggered a series of blood work and a urinalysis. The urinalysis found (occult) blood in my urine, and that prompted my doctor to ask me more questions, and ultimately a CT scan that revealed a large malignant mass on my bladder. Come to find out, bladder cancer is very common among long-time smokers.

Anyway, that was sort of my impetus to quit, even though it might be futile at this point. I had never tried to quit, and honestly didn't think I could, and really hadn't felt the need to until now.

I've radically changed my diet and lifestyle, and continuing smoking just didn't make any sense. I have to admit, cutting back helped with going cold turkey tremendously, but it's different for everyone. When I decided to quit, I happened to have a pack with 4 cigarettes still in it. It was sort of my "safety net", I would tell myself I could smoke them if I wanted to... but decided not to, and to see how long that lasted before I gave in. But I didn't give in, and it kept working day after day, it's been 42 days now and I'm over the worst part. The positive changes are dramatic and I'm actually shocked how great I feel now!

I know this sounds cliché, but YOU CAN DO THIS!

I totally understand your issue. Like I told my pulmonologist cigarettes have been my friend for over 30 years. I understand that it is just a habit but it is hard to lay them down permanently. I too have been diagnosed with COPD. Plus my husband has been diagnosed with BE and is on oxygen. So any real suggestions is welcome.

Hello @nanax4, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
@kjr11 posted a beautiful post meant to help all who will listen.
I was a dedicated smoker for over 42 years and NEVER thought I could quit. Mostly because I didn't want to, I enjoyed my filthy habit. And also...I had tremendous FEAR that if I tried, I would start again, and IF I tried, I would crave them so bad it may make me crazy.
Part of that was true...fear of quitting something I enjoyed might mean I would never enjoy my life without those lying little sticks of poison.
Cigarettes are liars.
They lie to you and make you think they are your friend. They are always there for you.
When you're stressed.
When you're happy.
When you're sad.
When you're mad.
When you need to think.
When it's time to relax.
When you need to calm down.
During commercials.
At weddings, baby showers and funerals.
After dinner. Before breakfast with coffee. With a drink. The list goes on.
It's all a lie!
They are NOT YOUR FRIEND, they have lied to you and made you a slave to them. A silly little piece of paper with tobacco and nicotine and other cancer causing additives are NOT your friend.
This is an important concept to understand.
I also quit cold turkey. Not many people are successful, and start again, like only 8% are successful. I also have a full pack and a half of a pack in my freezer. In case of emergency I told myself. Knowing they were there (and still are to this day) gave me some peace. I didn't want to be going to Circle K at 1:30 AM on the day I was going to break...but I have not touched them.
Thankfully, it did not take getting bladder cancer like @kjr11, which is certainly a reason to quit. There are numerous other reasons to quit, which being a former smoker I know them all, and bet you do too.
I was also an athlete and felt pretty good being able to run and hike and ballroom/swing dance like I did. Plus, I only smoked like 5-6 day. That's not bad, right? Ha! Wrong!!!
But I knew. I knew it was going to catch up with me someday. I also felt like a hypocrite.
We don't need to be told how bad they are...we know. So no need to go there.

I have shared before in the "Smoking Section" at Mayo Clinic that the easiest way to quit smoking is the one that works for YOU!

Everyone that has ever quit this filthy and expensive habit will say they feel better and are grateful to not be a smoker.
There is NO downside to quitting.
You feel better, smell better, have more money, and have more time for real things, rather than standing outside, away from gentle people while you puff and drag on your cigarette.
You are a winner when you are a quitter.

I can share that Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking book was a tremendous help to me when I first started. I loved learning the reason we are addicted to this hideous little creep.
I also got several bags of hot cinnamon candy at the Dollar Store and each time I wanted a smoke, I'd pop one of these hot and spicy candies in my mouth instead of lighting up.
I would take time during the awful cravings (they are real--they are awful) and straighten up a drawer. Or my pantry. Or the linen closet. Anything to use my hands and get away from the thoughts for ten minutes.
I can promise you this as well, the cravings are BAD. You will want to give in to the liars, but oh how wonderful you feel when you went all day without one. And then another. And a week has gone by, and now a month. And one day, you realize you went several days without even thinking about them. Hallelujah! You did it!
It WILL get better. Be prepared to fight for your life...because in a sense, that's what you are doing.

You have the power inside you. Sounds like Darth Vader in Star Wars...but it's true. It is within your ability to do this and nothing anyone says can make that happen.
Only you.
The excuses for not quitting are exhaustive. There will always be stress in life. 100%. For real.
I still crave them from time to time, but after 8 years, I know I will never go back.
And just like @kjr11, I too, was shocked how good I felt at two weeks. In a month. And now forever. I felt incredible!
You ask for "any real suggestions" but you may be blocking them because in truth, you don't want to quit, so you don't want to listen to suggestions...you will have a reason why you can't quit.
Here's the Truth:
You can quit.
You can quit.
You can quit.
You have to want it!
What will you lose by quitting cigarettes? Make a list. Read it. Ask yourself, what will I lose by quitting cigarettes?