David Lynch now requires supplemental oxygen to walk: “It’s a big price to pay”
The director, who began smoking at the age of eight, was diagnosed with emphysema in 2020
by Surej Singh · NMEDavid Lynch has shared an update on his emphysema diagnosis, revealing he now requires supplemental oxygen to walk – see what the esteemed filmmaker had to say below.
Lynch – who picked up smoking at eight-years-old – was diagnosed with emphysema in 2020. Since then, he’s been rendered homebound as the condition has massively impacted his immune system.
In a new chat with PEOPLE Magazine, Lynch shared an update on his condition, sharing that he needs additional oxygen if he does anything strenuous despite quitting smoking two years ago – even a walk across a rom could leave him breathless.
He told the publication: “I have a positive attitude focused on the body healing itself. It’s tough living with emphysema. I can hardly walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head.”
Despite his condition being “a big price to pay”, Lynch said: “I don’t regret it. It was important to me. I wish what every addict wishes for: that what we love is good for us. I never thought about it as glamorizing it. It was a part of life. Some characters would be smokers, just like in real life.”
And while he doesn’t regret smoking, he hopes other smokers can take him as an example: “I really wanted to get this across: Think about it. You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you. I owe it to them — and to myself — to say that.”
Recommended
Emphysema, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is where damage to the air sacs occurs as a result of smoking, pollution or workplace irritants (as per NHS). The disease causes breathing problems, coughing and those suffering from it can experience frequent chest infections and wheezing.
Explaining how the condition affects him in August, Lynch said: “I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold.” He also said he “can only walk a short distance before” he’s feeling as though he’s “out of oxygen”.
Despite the diagnosis, Lynch said he “will never retire”, and will direct remotely and work on other projects if he has to. Back in June, the Twin Peaks co-writer shared details of his latest project – confirming that he will be releasing a new album called ‘Cellophane Memories’ with Chrystabell. The album arrived in August.
Lynch and Chrystabell have collaborated in the past, and created two previous albums together. They also worked together on Twin Peaks: The Return, in which the latter took on the role of Agent Tammy Preston.
Lynch has previously hinted at a return to the Twin Peaks series, telling fans at a book signing in 2018 that the story “is calling, but there are a lot of disturbances”.