I was a smoker since age 18. All my friends smoke. And they aren’t quitting, even after seeing my health problems, caused by smoking.
Its easy to say, but I know its very difficult for a smoker to quit smoking. I’ve experienced it.
It happened on the night of 2nd Aug 2005. I had a lot of drinks(hard) and 2 packets of cigarettes(goldflake lights) in 2 hours.(otherwise I used to smoke 1½ packets everyday.) I reached home at midnight with my wife. I just lay on my bed and suddenly, I felt that I am losing consciousness. I was UNABLE to BREATHE. Our AC was on. I put on the fan. I was jumping here and there to get a gasp of air inside my body. I just COULDN’t BREATHE. I ran. to open all the windows, doors. I didn’t know what to do. My mom and wife thought that this could be because of gastro problems and so offered me all kinds of things. but the problem was something else.
I, visited my family doctor. he couldn’t diagnose the problem. for 3 months I was taking the wrong medicines. because nobody understood what was wrong with me.
Every night, I couldn’t sleep. It always happened at night. These - I termed as my breathing attacks. One of the doctors told my family that I have a psychological problem. that I don’t want to breathe.
I went to another doctor in another city - whom we knew well. And he told me that this could be Chronic Bronchitis. Another chest physician told me that this could be COPD. Another doctor told me that this is Asthma. And another one told me this is something to do with my stomach.
Inspite of all these things - I continued to smoke. Its difficult to quit - I know.
In Jan 2006. I quit smoking. Not because I should - because I had to.
In March 2006, I visited another doctor - a very renowned doctor. head of some department in some hospital. and She told me that there is something wrong with my Airways and Lungs. Now, I am recovering from my illness. After about 10 months of medication, inhalers, ayurvedic medication, homeopathic medication, all sorts of medicines. now I am taking the right medicines and finally recovering. My profession is teaching. And my doctor has told me to speak less. Because whenever I speak, I get breathing attacks. It seems that this will continue for next 2 - 3 years.
So much - for what. - Cigarettes?
I know so many of my relatives and friends - who are aware of my illness. They are scared that this might happen to them. But still they aren’t quitting cigarettes.
I have written this because I really wish all the smokers who read this can learn something about what can happen to them. and how severe it can be.
All smokers know - that they can suffer from Cancer, Heart problems, respiratory problems. But, still they smoke. They wait for one of these things to happen to them. I had once read a phrase - Cancer Cures Smoking. And I understand it now, why they wrote it.
Quit Smoking - if not for yourself - atleast for your family. They need you to be healthy.
You can read this Free ebook on Stop Smoking. It really helped me. Click on the following URL: https://freestopsmoking.homestead.com
You can even download it from download.com
The e-book is by Mark Jordan.