Here's the deal with damage to the lungs: you can't undo the damage that's already done, so you have less lung function (FEV1) than normal people. If you quit, you may gain some function back as you rid yourself of all the gunk you've been putting in your lungs, but the damage is already done. Let's assume that you currently have 50% lung function (FEV1 of 50%), you've quit smoking let's say for a year. Your job now is to keep your lung function at 50%. With exercise, diet, good meds, normal weight, and not getting sick, you have a good chance to maintaining that 50% of lung function compared to someone your height, weight, sex, age and ethnicity for a very long time. Remember that everyone loses lung function every year, including people without lung disease, so it is a progressive disease for everyone; you're going to continue to lose function, but if you do all the things you should do, you shouldn't lose any more lung function that a person without lung disease.

Why don't you quit today?

I use Equate nicotine lozenges 4mg.They work fine but still cost $34 for 100 of them.But I break them up into 1/4 and they last a lot longer.Anything is better than smoking.They are available at wallmart.Drink plenty of water and get out there and walk.It cleans the tar out and strengthens Your lungs.Also,start eating healthy.Go online and find a list of fruits and vegetables that are good for healing Your lungs.Believe Me this all works.Especially the walking.I walk 2 miles a day now.

Your COPD has no cure.But if You quit smoking,take Your prescriptions,walk or exercise,and find a list of fruits and vegetables that heal the lungs,this all works in Your favor.You can last a long time with COPD.It all depends on how You take care of Yourself

You HAVE to stop smoking - your cops will not go away but it will arrest and slow down the the development.
This is a chronic illness and you need to consult a specialist and ask everything!

the thought of being on oxygen just scares me, have I quit smoking?no, thank you for your post, it just might help