Have i left it too late to give up smoking?

Question

I,m 48 ...and been a smoker most of my life. Now beginning to feel the effects of 30 years puffing. The odd twinge and the dull ache...

Answer 1

If you give up NOW the advantages will be significant and it is thus definitely worth while. You will slow or stop the progress of any bronchitic changes, though they cannot be reversed, and your heart disease and lung cancer risks will fall, but never to the level of someone who has never smoked. The sooner you stop the more the advantage, so today is good!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Give it up and feel better, Don't use the excuse of too late now to keep on.. I did a bit... I smoked from 14 to 75 and gave up last January.... My lungs are knackered I get out of breath easy and am limited in what I do.. but last January I could hardly get across the room to the kitchen and had to crawl up the stairs..... I feel a lot better now.. I can drive down the town and walk around the shops Have been to the coast and had walks along the front, Things most people take for granted, but difficult if any exercise at all even walking gets you puffed.....So I feel better, probably might have extended my life a bit... Will always have the problem though... You are much younger so the benefits would all be much greater for you, believe me,,,.Give it up death from lung disease is slow and very unpleasant. My doc prescribed a tablet Champix(in UK) which did the trick it is very good. ..Had tried nicotine patches previously to no avail. Can't say any more can I It's up to you.

Answer 3

After 30 years of smoking, I doubt that you'd all of a sudden feel the effects. The effects of smoking are more prominent during the beginning until your body begins to adapt. The symptoms you are displaying could be the result of something else such as a new medication or a lifestyle change causing increased stress. If it is due to smoking, I'd go to the doctors as soon as possible for a professional diagnosis. Actually, at your age you should go to the doctors on a regular basis for a physical. If your serious about quiting smoking pfizer came out with a new drug called chantix which works very well.

Answer 4

It makes me cross to hear people ask if they should give up smoking.

To a non-smoker you smell like a dirty old ashtray. No one will tell you that, they would rather just put up with it. Your house will smell of smoke, your clothes, your car.
You are asking for an early death. The statistics are clear on that, there is no maybe. You are poisoning your body. It is true that lots of people eat badly and do dangerous sports etc but statistics on these sorts of things are more fuzzy and so easier to ignore. Smoking kills, it says so on the packet.

Consider that many children get cancer as well as adults. Those kids are innocent and do nothing to being it on, and they suffer. You are a grown adult and should know better.

Choose life.

Accept that you are addicted and be prepared for some cold turkey. Throw the rest of the packet away along with your lighter and anything else you have that is associated. That way you can be sure you mean it. NEVER TOUCH ANOTHER ONE. When you feel ill over it remind yourself that anything worth doing isn't easy, tell yourself you are strong and if you wait long enough the feelings will pass. Examine how you are feeling and recognise that it is because you are withdrawing from addiction.Keep awayfrom smokers who will be only too glad to make themselves feel better by welcoming you back to the cancer club. Take a walk to distract yourself. If you need to smoke when you drink, give up drink as well!

Good Luck!

Chocolate addict, lol.

Answer 5

Never too late although a lot of the damage is now done. If you can give up now it will give you a good few years of life. Not only life but a much better life. Eat sensibly and take moderate exercise daily and you will feel great in a years time. Take up golf and join a club. This will give you a purpose( the learning is painful) and you will get to meet some nice people and it gives you some of the exercise you need.

Answer 6

I smoked from the age of 12. I quit at the age of 49, when I was smoking 30/40 a day. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43, but smoked more than ever, and got thru the treatment.
My mother was diagnosed 2 yrs later with heart failure (caused by passive smoking according to her). I carried on smoking.
At 47 I was diagnosed with incurable auto-immune liver disease. Still I smoked. I watched the tele about all kinds of transplants. Saw a woman refused a place on the list because she smoked. That ain't happening to me!! I quit smoking.
Referred to the liver unit, I went for an assessment for a transplant. I was so pleased to tell them I do not smoke. I don't get the liver yet either, nor a place on the list. Not because I smoke, but because I don't. I am too healthy to be placed on the list yet!!!
If you WANT to quit you can. Don't try until you do, as you will set yourself up to fail. Good luck.

Answer 7

Seeing you published your question in the "cancer" section I take it you are worried about the risk of cancer. If you stop smoking every year without all those toxins running through your respiratory tract will lower the possibility of you getting cancer from the smoke. But it is not only that - you will feel very soon after quitting that you can breathe better, smell better and taste better!!! All in all your quality of life will improve and so will your health and fitness. With 48 it is normal to feel the first aches and pains and having to face these limitations is never fun. But see it as your body crying out for you to live healthier (including stop smoking) so you get hopefully another 48 years more ....

Answer 8

No it's never too late. My nana and grandad were both very heavy smokers (60 a day each....) until their 50s and they gave up and noticed the benefit. They are glad of it now they are in their 70s, their health is failing in other ways (grandad has 2 artificial knees because of arthritis, and my nana is getting less steady on her feet) but not smoking anymore and not having lung problems etc as well means that they've had 1 less thing to cope with. Good luck to you and go for it!!

Answer 9

you could not smoke any.. that way you would still have 10 left after friday, and would not be damaging your health. Or maybe this is a good time to quit smoking, dont buy any more, and smoke 1 a day for 3 days, and then for 4 days have half of one a day... then for 5 days have half a one every other day then have half of 1 every third day until you run out, and bingo! no need to worry any more!

Answer 10

Honestly, from my personal experience dealing with cancer patients, it may be too late. Some people get lung cancer after having quit 20 years ago.

But, in regards to your overall health, it's not too late! COPD, asthma, shortness of breath, skin problems can all be avoided still.

I'm not telling you that you ARE 100% going to get cancer, but it's a possibility. It's always been a possibility. That's why the warnings are on the box.

Answer 11

never too late, my dad stopped when he was 60, hes 70 now. i'm soon to turn 36 (boo hoo wail sob ect..) and i've cut down big time and i cycle to work already my appitite has increased and i feel a lot better. i work in a labour intensive industry i dont smoke when i'm working, as long as my hands are busy and not by doing what you mucky lot are already thinking i have no craving for a smoke. i wish i could afford a drum set instead of smoking i could knock out a few riffs off the hi-hat, i could beat my skin untill my fingers blistered.