Smoking

[mtkayak]

Yes, that dreaded subject. Okay, not looking to be judged just need some support and advice. I've fallen off the wagon again. Since surgery in March 2006 I quit smoking for 6 months only slowly to start again. I have significantly cut back but not quit. Sometimes 2 to 10 cigarettes a day.The nicotine gum seemed to help. I'm on Chantix right now and that defintely helps me cut back but not quit. They have a support line too that I haven't used, but maybe I should. Has anybody here found a magic bullet? I highly doubt it but my will power has been weak at the moment. I exercise like crazy, spend as much time in the gym, jogging and paddling. Truth is since surgery I feel great but I also feel indestructable. The Dr. told me you may feel that way now but maybe not so much in 10 to 15 years if you continue. I know there are truth in his words. I got a big lecture from a Lung Doctor but it only lasted a couple of days! Help! Any advice or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

[Bina]

Mike, it sounds like you need a smack in the head....what's your address???

 

[Cooker]

Mike....there is no magic bullet. I quit, started, quit, started......you get the picture. I still grab one now and then. The only thing I can say is good luck. Everybody I know that has put them down for good did it cold turkey and say they had tried multiple times and finally got fed up enough to be successful.

 

[Ross]

Nope, no magic bullet. I cannot even begin to count how many times I tried and failed. One day, it took hold and that was that. My wife still smokes and I cannot say that I don't want one from time to time, but I have to remind myself no touchy or I'll start right up again.

 

[Bina]

Okay, seriously. My husband smoked for 30 years. During that time he tried a couple of times to quit...cutting down, wearing a patch, etc. No success. Then, 20 months ago, the Ontario government sent out a quit smoking "help" package with the chance to win a car. He followed the instructions and quit. And he quit cold turkey. I still can't believe it! No, he did not win the car, but he sure as heck deserved to.
It's all about being totally committed, ready, and really wrapping your head around the idea that you WILL be a non smoker. You did not survive OHS to be killed off by lung cancer, did you?

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Mike,

There is no magic pill. I personally believe that the only way you will quit is if you really want to. I started smoking again, two months after my valve surgery in March 2001. I, like you, thought I was invincible since my new valves gave me a new lease on life. Members who have been at the reunions I attended, know I smoked. They all gave me their input and though they meant well, I ignored them, just like I did my doctor and cardio. I did cut down to less than a half a pack a day, but it wasn't enough. Prior to about a year ago, I did not have any heart issues, just valve replacement. I didn't have high blood pressure, palpitations, nothing like that. I then started noticing my blood pressure was going up more and more. I started noticing palpitations. I didn't and don't now have high cholestorol. In fact my cardio says I have cholestorol numbers that people would die to have! No pun intended! I bought myself a blood pressure monitor in March, because I decided I needed to keep a check on myself. Did I stop smoking? Noooo. In April of this year I ended up in ER with chest pains. They couldn't find anything wrong with me after many test, other than yes, my blood pressure was high, even when I was resting and they noticed skipped beats. They did put me on my first blood pressure med, Norvasc. Did I stop smoking? Noooo! I continued. I had an angiogram done on Aug 8th, everything looked good. My cardio mentioned again to quit smoking and i told him I was thinking about it.

Fast forward to Oct 22 of this year! I came home from work, was pouring water in my coffee pot for coffee the next morning and boom! I got excruciating pains in both my arms that hurt so bad. It felt like a boa constrictor was squeezing the life out of my arms. I ended up in ER and was told I was having a heart attack!

Now that got my attention. After feeling that pain, I vowed I would never touch another cigarette again. And I haven't. My whole family smokes. I wasn't even tempted nor wanted one when we were all together at Thanksgiving. In fact I seriously didn't even pay attention that they were smoking. It's like I wiped it out of my mind. I knew I wasn't addicted to nicotine, like so many people are. Was it because I didn't start smoking until later in life? I don't know that answer. All I know is that I wouldn't quit until I was ready. It took a real eye opener to wake me up, but by then I knew I was ready. I don't miss cigarettes . I find I can breathe better. In the winter I would always get congested and now I haven't at all. I have more energy and I am exercising. I too did not like listening to people lecturing to me, so I would turn a deaf ear. I do believe now, that my heart attack was very much related to the fact that I was a smoker. I wouldn't have believed that a year ago.

I want to wish you Good Luck on quitting. Since I did it Cold Turkey, I have no tips I can pass to you on how to quit, other than the fact what made me quit was being scared out of my wits, on Oct 22.

 

[Debster]

Hello! This probably won't help much-but when my stepdad wanted to quit-he did cold turkey. No cutting back, nothing-that was it. The dr found emphysema and the smokes were history that day. He never smoked again and that was 21 years ago. In fact-he hated to be around smoke after that. Best of luck to you-it is awesome that you want to quit! Deb

 

[Karlynn]

My sister stopped smoking with the help of an online forum much like VR. She had tried many time previously with all the patches, gum, fake cigarettes etc. She found the forum 5 years ago and hasn't had a cig since and says she has no desire to.

 

[mtkayak]

Thanks Everybody!

Thanks Everybody!

Thanks for all the input. I knew deep down there is no magic bullet but just wanted to see what other have experimented with that worked. The Dr. swears that the Chantix will help with the nictine addiction but the psycological part I have to do myself. He is right and y'all are right. All my numbers are good, cholesterol, blood pressure, ect. I don't take any medication for my heart and I do have the occassional palpitation but that is not due to smoking. I hope it doesn't take a heart attack to make me realize that I need to quit but I do need a good smack in the head It's so easy to pick up a cigarette and light it. Too easy. I try to tell myself that I could be a lot healthier and have more endurance by not smoking. But then I go jogging for 5 miles come home and light up. Like it doesn't even phase me at all. Geez, then there is coffee and alcohol, that makes it even worse. God, there's nothing like a cigarette and a cup of coffee. I have to quit! Maybe, I do need to join a clinic or a forum for addictioN. The Chantix pill also gives you a support line to call should you fall off the wagon.

 

[Marguerite53]

My husband used the patch and found it quite helpful. Of course, several years later, he started up again. But then he quit again with the patch and now it's been a year. He's working out in the gym and watching what he eats.

I smoked a pack a day before we decided to have children 25 years ago. I felt responsible for the health of my children so I quit. If it weren't bad for me (and others), I'd smoke again. Loved it.

My husband chews on a lot of toothpicks.

It's tough. I think you have to want to succeed and live a new lifestyle. Many of us have. I think you really just need to "break up" with them. Like it's a bad relationship that is dragging you down.

Anyway. Keep trying. And good luck!

Marguerite

 

[CathyK.]

Mike - I have been on the Chantix for several months now. Yes, it does help with the strong urges but like you said, it is the habit on it that is hard to break. I only have a few cigs a day now but can't get beyond that. My husband is an ex-smoker and quit cold turkey so he is not very supportive towards me because he can't understand why everyone just can't stop cold turkey. Anyway, I am right along there with you and I also have not used their support system either. If you do, let me know. Good luck to you!! You are not alone!

 

[LUVMyBirman]

LoRain,

Happy to hear your progress GF! Looking forward to getting together sometime after the New Year!

Happy Holidays

On the smoking. I was a very mild smoker prior to my MVR. Social. Quit cold turkey. From time to time I have been known to light one up (in a social setting) after a glass of wine. Only if I smell it...does the temptation creep over me. Should be much easier in the future as most establishments in our state have outlawed smoking! Yes, smoking and children do not mix. Another reason not to light up. I never smoked anywhere near my child. I don't understand these folks that drive down the road with the windows rolled up with children in the back seat. Now.... that far worse than actually smoking yourself!

 

[Ross]

Mike, it sounds like you need a smack in the head....what's your address???

HEY Don't be smackin your forum brothers.

 

[kfay]

Hey Mike, if you don't mind me asking, what did you have your tricuspid replaced for, did you have Ebstein's? My surgeon at Mayo is Dr. Dearani who was trained by Dr. Danielson. Would love to know more about your experience there.

Kim

 

[Philip B]

Magic Bullets

Magic Bullets

Hi Mike,

Just in case you haven't heard yet...there's no magic bullet cure to quit smoking. As others have said, you've got to decide you want to quit.

A smack in the head may work for some; it hasn't worked for me. I still enjoy an infrequent cigar on occasion. I've been smacked more than once and I'll probably continue to be the target of a good smack every now and then.

If you can't make yourself quit, learn to duck quickly. The smackers really do have your best interest in mind.

-Philip

 

[Bina]

HEY Don't be smackin your forum brothers.

I'm 105 pounds of weakling....no danger here.
I should mention that the more people nag the smoker, the more they become unable to quit.
This is very important!! Do NOT nag (or smack) someone trying to quit.
I used to point out once in a while that the extra $250 of cigarette money every month would be nice.
We also loaded up on sugarless gum and candy, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.

 

[Ross]

I know my wife is always complaining about something with her car. I looked at her the other night and said, quit smoking and drinking beer and you'd save enough to make a payment on a brand new car. She would too! Just wish she'd set it as a priority

 

[aussigal]

I quit the ciggies before my OHS...they didnt want to operate on me until I did. Anyway...I did it Cold Turkey although I did quit daily for a week or more until I did it for good. I replaced the smokes with bottled water and walks. Now I chew sugarless gum if I feel I need something...nicorette is probably good too but I couldnt be bothered with the cost of it.,plus you are now addicted to the gum .

There are quite a few ex-smokers here who will support you as you try find a way to quit...we know how evil nicotine is.

I think the forum is a great idea...

Good luck with the Chantix...let us know how you go.

 

[Rich]

Mike,
As you can see you are not alone. Smoking is a filthy, digusting habit, and these days a very expensive one as well. Unfortunately I am just as guilty.
I quit thirty days prior to my surgery, and for many months afterwards. But then once I was back to work things got so stressful I fell off the wagon.
For me smoking was always a psychological crutch. When things got out of hand(which was quite often) I had a choice, leave the room, go have a smoke and calm down. The other choice might have been to put someones lights out! I don't see it as a habit, just a stress reliever which many people just don't understand. For people of my generation, everyone we looked up to smoked. Parents, grandparents, family members, politicians, movie stars, military personnel, doctors..........yes many, many doctors.
When I hear someone say 'I don't understand why he would do that', I get really upset and want to say why the hell don't you try to understand?
A good example of that was when Peter Jennings died a while back, and Charlie Gibson made that remark. It really upset me, I felt it was a disgraceful remark about a really good guy. I havn't watched the ABC world news since.
So in the meantime I hope you can find a solution, but regardless I for one will not think any less of you if you don't.
I guess I'm just a worry wart and that makes it really tough to stick with it.
Ironically all my friends that quit or never smoked all died many years ago, including a dear friend who was a world champion weight lifter.
Also a boss I had back in the sixties was EXTREMELY anti-smoking, and was always on us to quit. So he retired and moved to Florida, was on a stepladder cleaning his gutters on his one story ranch, fell off the ladder and broke his neck and died instantly. So who knows?
Sorry for the length of this post, I just wish people would try to understand.
Rich

 

[hensylee]

what Rich said...... ditto