smoking topic

[anita]

I think some might agree that nicotine may have some redeeming value medically, based upon numerous articles.  However, don't forget that nicotine is NOT the only ingredient.  As a matter of fact, a cigarette can contain over 600 ingredients, including things like ammonia. 

How is one truly to know whether quitting made them worse or if the disease itself was just progressing?   And WHAT are the other chemicals doing to do your body/health?

I would be interesting learning more about medicinal nicotine (in forms other than cigs)...WITHOUT the other harmful chemicals.   

BTW, I use to smoke years ago and also got worse after quitting.  BUT I continue to get worse each and every year...that seems like progression.

[12lovehim]

Well if my 2 cents matter at all.. I was part of the "smokem if ya gottem" group in the Army.. Wont even try to lie.. My only smoke free times were "your expecting" and "enemy was spotted, don't light up"... From 18 to 37..  During this period I could run 5 miles a day, did PT every morn at O dark 30 for an hr prior to the five mile run.. I did all manner of outdoor sports with my boys (dad was gone on field duty a bit more than mom.. )

It was not until a drastic health crisis with Hubby kicked us in the rump, or the Dr telling my hubby that every drag could be his "honestly be his last breath. "   No go figure... I really gave the military some credit for destroying my body cuz retirement was soon following my quiting.. And my health took a real crazy turn for the worse.. Call it what you will.. but I have just learned the word for it and it's called a "FLAIR" .. Started right after I quit smoking... Got worse after I retired and I have been on a path of "someone help me" since..

(now have there been days that due to the stress of SSJ have i wanted to smoke.. Yes  ...   But one thing my Dr did say.. SJS smoking patients are more Susceptible to mouth cancer and throat cancer and dangerous Lung Infections than the average SJS citizen.. So if ya want the nicotine.. Use those "vapor cigs".. But please my friends.. Lets not smoke if at all poss.. Our chronic odds are bad enough..

Blessings.. Keri

[Jozee]

Eyeamdry-  Don't worry. I am not planning on starting smoking again. The thought of trying to hide the stink and finding a place to smoke outside where it doesn't bother anyone is just too much of a hassle. Plus, yes, it does have some very bad side effects.

I was just stating how much better I felt when I did smoke. Not endorsing it tho.

When I quit smoking my hubby started and I can't stand the smell!!

[eyeamdry]

I went to my ophthalmologist's office the other day for an appointment and the "clerk" that was working with me reeked of cigarette smoke.  I'm sure she tried to disguise it, but it didn't work.  I was in a closed room with her for about 1/2 hour.  It was enough to make me want to barf. I noticed she really didn't look clean as you expect in a dr's office.  I did not say anything as I didn't want to cause her any trouble.I remember trying to hide the smell.

If I go to a casino--and we go about once a month--I expect to be surrounded by smoke nd smokers.  A hazard of the habit.  This is the only place people can smoke any where.  I rarely say anything unless someone has a cigarette in my face.  One other point to smoking is that we also expose our family to second hand smoke.  I know we like to think we don't do this or try and go outdoors away from everyone, but it's not always possible.

If I was given a death sentence of 6 months t6 live--I would go out tomorrow and buy a carton of Virginia Slim menthols.  As I said I need to stay vigilant that I don't smoe.

[irish]

Smoking is a strange issue isn't it. I know that the doctors were adamant that it was causing all my issues years ago. I told them that there is no way the smoking was causing my health problems and that I knew it wasn't good for me and I would quit when my brain got psyched up.

Finally my brain got psyched up and I quit cold turkey without any problem. For some reason I didn't even crave a cig for a couple of years. I made my hubby go outside to smoke and there was no more smoking in the house.

I loved to smoke and if I picked up a cigarette tonight I would smoke a pack by tomorrow night. That is the way I am!!! So, I don't pick one up. I do know that I am like you Lucy, as sometimes the smell just makes me ill----but there are other days when I would kill for a puff. As all you ex-smokers probably know that the first puff after not smoking (for me it is now 10 years) just about drives me to my knees. It makes me so sick and nauseated. Years ago after quitting several times and having that first puff and getting sick I would just keep smoking til that reaction went away.

After I quit smoking this last time and THE last time I never felt one bit better nor did any of my symptoms improve. Didn't make any difference. I know that if I started in again now my lungs would really give me grief. Plus SIX DOLLARS A PACK!!! CAN YOU IMAGINE!!! That would be like drinking up almost 2 gallons of milk a day!!!!! Wow. Irish

[eyeamdry]

Irish, my hubby and I often talk about the cost of cigarettes.  Some of the guys he used to work with still smoke and their wives too and we wonder how they have any $ to buy food.When I quit about 20 years ago, they were a buck a pack.  Hubby quit 5 years after me, so now on Soc Security, there is no way we could afford to smoke now.  It was getting to be hard to find places to smoke back then and often you had to go out to the street and I always felt a little like a hooker.  That gal in the eye dr's office about made me want to barf.  Somehow I don't think she will be there long.  Someone will complain about her smoky odor. 

[Jozee]

Do you ever see someone out in the pouring rain trying to squeeze under a ledge to stay dry so they can smoke a cigarette? I pity them and remember I used to be just like them. It's crazy to think how the weather affects me so bad yet I'd go out in a blizzard just to have a few lousy puffs.

I love everyone, smoker or not, I'm just glad I've quit.

[seren]

Hi all,

Well my experiences are that I felt much worse after quitting smoking.  I stopped smoking about 4 yrs ago and soon after (within 2 months) I started having issues, thyroid and onset of SjS.  People would always ask me if I felt better but I could not really say that I did??

One thing though that I do not miss is the stink of tobacco.  I feel 100% cleaner and was only a 10-15 a day person but still..

My intention is never to go back as although it may have kick started my autoimmune problems?, there must be so many other benefits for the body as a whole being non smokers that we dont see or feel!

Paula 

[susanep]

I  can so relate to what everyone is saying, and it is funny thinking back now how I would climb a fence to get cigs if they fell there, and I was out. Don't ask how I know.

Doctors always telling me too that I felt bad, because of all my smoking. Yeah right!
I also would be the same way if I picked up a cig tonight, I would smoke the whole pack by tomorrow night. I also enjoyed smoking.

I did decide to quit when I started having more lung and mouth issues. I also quit cold turkey. I haven't felt good since. 

I heard about a doctor that said when he turns 80 he is going to pick up smoking again. 

I am also glad to not have the smoke smell. I very rarely think about smoking now, but once in a blue moon something will happen, and I kind of grin to myself and think, this is definitely a smoking moment if I still smoked.

susanep 

[irish]

Susan, My sjoggie friend in town who I went to high school with and who is also a nurse has quit smoking also. She has been so ill the past 1 1/2 years and has almost died a couple of times due to infections in her lungs. She has COPD---especially in the one lung.

She and I have made a pact that when we get old (don't ask me how we will figure out what old is and probably in the nursing home) we are going to start smoking again and also drink with our pureed pizza. I think it is a sound plan as we will be so close to dying. Maybe we could con cigs out of our kids at that time to help defray the cost!!!  Irish

[A66eyroad]

I "quit" smoking about 20 years ago. I use the quotes because I never want to be a non-smoker, I like it too much! I actually set aside one evening per year when I smoke for just that one night.

I never want to be "hooked" again because I would easily be one of those gals squeeked into a corner trying not to get wet. But, dang, a good smoke is a good smoke.