Just wondering how many of us are currently smokers and if so, are you planning on quitting now in preparation, or are you waiting until TSHTF to quit?
How is it going? Are you stocking up on ciggies to keep anyway, for yourself or for bartering?
Smoker here. Quit once, then drove cross-country in a blizzard in December 2000. Started again. Considering cigs cost more than a gallon of gas here in CA, I guess I need to decide: do I wanna quit and drive, or do I wanna quit drivin’?
I don’t smoke but was curious. Wonder if I bought cigs as barter items if I’d be tempted or not.
I doubt it…but then again, I didn’t start ‘til I was 28 years old. If you don’t hang around folks who regularly smoke I don’t think you’ll be too tempted. One way to stay away from smoking them it to not have any matches or lighters within easy reach! ;-)
Going to the doctor for the first time in years, gonna ask about the happy pills to help me quit, I have tried darn near everything..I suppose the BF might cure me if I cant get out, but I’d be a bit stressed anyway and don’t want to put me or the kids thru it if I can help it,
My wife and I both smoke. I would like to quit. We have bought tins of tobacco. the cheap stuff. I will smoke a pipe and my wife will do rollies untill we run out. Then we quit. Sounds good. hmmmmm maybe I should hide my wifes guns when the tobacco runs out. hehe
happy pills to stop smoking?? Please explain!! I have smoked since i was 15. hate the wretched things but am hooked :(
I think the commonly used med is Wellbutrin, which is an antidepressant that somehow helps with quitting. I haven’t tried it myself. I smoke. Quit for ten years, and then started again when I got divorced.
I figure that anyone who smokes, or has smoked, is a goner if they get this flu.
Red
will a cigg fit in the drinking tube of my NBC mask? hehe LOL
My sons smoke and I worry about them being more vulnerable to lung infections etc should they get the flu. I am also concerned that they are going to be really in a panic if they can’t get their cigarettes. We are all going to miss our various addictions and it is not going to help improve the already very depressed mood if TSHTF.
I am really worried, however, about drug addicts. These folks aren’t going to necessarily be able to quit on their own. What desperate measures will they take to get their “fix”. How many people will they infect in their desperate search for drugs. How will hospitals and clinics be able to guard themselves against the addicts looking in desperation for drugs there?
I know that alot of the street addicts will, most likely, catch and die from the flu due to their poor immune system and living conditions. How many people will they carelessly infect during the last few days on this earth in desperation for that one, last hit? This scares me. A gun will not deter them for what do they have to lose?
I’m cutting waay back, but live with two smokers. To keep myself and others safer(from each other) when tshtf I am stocking nic replacement gum. Less space and longer shelf life. Funny, insurance would send me to some really nice drug/alcohol rehabs but I’m on my own to quit smoking. And all the knowledge, reason, or whats left of my common sense just doesn’t seem to help.
I smoked 2–3 packs a day for 25 yrs
If I can quit you ALL can quit, I can tell you are strong people
Dont have them around for “barter” you would be like a drug pusher and end up using them yourself
Janet – at 18:49
That’s a really good point… one that hasn’t been dealt with much (at all?) yet. Judging by the film last night, it is easy to imagine druggies getting creative for a hit — and yeah, most probably wouldn’t be dissuaded by a gun, esp if they are on coke or heroin. Maybe a topic for another thread?
I think the nic replacement gum sounds like the best idea for prepping for smokers…
If BF hits we will have plenty of things to distract us from smoking. So quitting is our plan.
As a long time activist in the smokers’ movement (opposing bans and tax increases) I participate in a lot of forums, on many issues. Something came up several weeks back on a thread on another forum about BF. The woman that brought it up is a non-smoker but believes she heard that the majority of the people who have so far died from this were non-smokers. Her premise, and question, is that is it possible there is some protection afforded smokers in B2H transmission? So far none of us have found anything about it, but we continue to look.
now wouldnt that be a kick in the ass?? I finally quit!!!
I used to smoke. One of the side effects of smoking is a decreased immune response (as I understand it). I often wondered if it would make you more susceptible, but also decrease the chances or severity of the cytokine storm (sp?), thereby increasing survival odds? Catch 22 to be sure.
For those of you interested in quitting here is what helped me the most (and I’ve tried them all):
1. Resolve 2. http://whyquit.com/
Whoa.. If what they say is correct about c-storm being an issue & having a strong immune system is not necessarily a good thing, then what could this mean for smokers? My brother, father, sister & brother-in-law smoke so I am just curious.
Just got back from the docs and yes got the wellbutrin, she also gave me zanax? in case I get stressed, trying to quit smoking. I put those babies away, don’t plan to use them, not really into drugs much. I asked for a Pneumonia shot and without questions (i’m 41), gave me one. I usually hate going to the doctors but she seemed ok
Not stocking cigarettes but have stocked Zyban (Wellbutrin)-it also decreases ones appetite which could come in handy ITSHTF.
Have 10 cartons stocked. Should last about 5 months…
Surely smokers are at an increased risk of contracting influenza if for no other reason than the frequent hand-to-mouth action.
I joked abt this on another thread several weeks ago - something like - if I believe the hype and all my alveoli are crapped up with tar and nic. . .then the virus wont have a receptor to bind to - and how ironic if the smokers were to inherit the earth!! Nobody laughed!! :-((
gharris – at 23:53 LOL
Hey, Bint — 23:42 !
Tell me you don’t mean this: “Surely smokers are at an increased risk of contracting influenza if for no other reason than the frequent hand-to-mouth action.”
Does that mean I CAN’T EAT during a pandemic??!!
<Okay. I’ll be serious. Real soon.>
I once had an old goat who would eat cigarettes, filters and all.
i think that was me…and i’mnot THAT old thankyou
Goats will eat anything they can get their lips on….Except tin cans(but they love the label glue)
I talked to 2 people over the weekend that guit after hypnosis, so hubby and I are considering it. I’ve tried the happy pills twice and had alergic reaction both times. Anyone else tried hypnosis?
hypnosis ( like anything else) only works if you WANT to quit…My partner quit cold turkey after being a smoker for 25 + yrs..But I still smoke.
My dad quit after 40yrs of smoking with hypnosis and accupucture. He was a two pack a day smoker. He lives is southeast asia and the accupucture there is far superior to what you can find in the states. He stopped that day and has not smoked now for three yrs.
Nikolai - do you only eat with your fingers?
gharris - after observing for more than a decade the almost maniacal persecution of smokers by those who behave as if they can just hang on long enough, someone will come up with the means by which one can live forever (as long as one doesn’t smoke, of course) and recognizing that an overpopulated world may well have much to do with a host of attempts on the part of nature to control our numbers, your idea has a certain perverse appeal.
Even the most horrible scare tactics don’t work with smoking. Nicotine is too powerful an addiction (been there, done that). But there is one sure-fire way to quit smoking: train for a marathon. It entails an incredible amount of discipline and hard work, but I can almost guarantee it’ll work. And aside from being free from a terrible habit, you will have one of the greatest experiences of your life.
And if there’s a pandemic, substitute any kind of regular, rigorous physical activity for the long distance running (unless you have a treadmill (boring) or a whole lot of land).
Here’s a report on a new FDA approved quit smoking drug, http://tinyurl.com/jfkr9
I wish you all luck quitting - I went to hypnosis 5–2−78 and haven’t had one since!
train for a marathon
That’s great, if a person is already in fairly decent shape. This fat ol’ 49-year-old USED to run cross-country races in High School…that was 30 years ago. Then the knees gave out about 15 years later. Training for a marathon is about as far from my mind as that silly comet is from Pluto! ;-)
I’m with you BB. I used to be a pro bicyclist. that was 60lbs ago. I walk the fence around the ranch on the weekends and that’s even hard on the o’ popping knees. LOL
BB - “That’s great, if a person is already in fairly decent shape.”
No, no, no! I was in terrible shape when I started training for a marathon, let’s see, eleven years ago. People used to ask me, “How can you run 26 miles?” I would say I couldn’t when I started. I had to work up to it.
But I understand the knee problem. I can’t run now because of my hips (that getting old thing). BUT, there are marathons you can walk in! Hooray!
(And how far is that comet from Pluto?)
A friend of my DD’s moved in with our family recently. It was supposed to be temporary. She had been smoking about a pack per week. Outside. She recently asked if she could move with our family when we leave California. I put only one condition on her going with us. She had to quit smoking. She has. I am so allergic to cigarettes that even the smell on her clothes was making me sick. There was absolutely no way I could spend several days with her in the same car if she continued to smoke. The rule was self preservation on my part. A friend of hers suggested she try using the stop smoking gum, he said it worked well for him. I think she has just gone cold turkey. I just am very glad she was willing to stop, for her sake as well as my own.
Scaredy Cat – at 14:11 --- That comet? Hmmmm….I don’t know now…a long ways away, I suppose :-) It didn’t land here, that’s for sure! LOL!
Poppy, my friend --- how’s the packing going? When are you all planning to leave me here? If I promise to quit, can I go with you? LOL!! I know, I know…but I hadda ask! Had another open house today…two prospective buyers came through, said they really want to move into this neighborhood, but they both have houses of their own to sell first. Damn…I had my hopes up ‘til they said that, what with the RE market as bad here as it’s gotten in the last 6 months…
Sure Bill! We just may make it a parade. Us, our daughter’s friend, my youngest son’s gay boss (he’s getting sick of California too & wishes he could leave), and you. That would be 8 people, 11 rabbts (our 9 his 2), 2 turtles, 1 cat, 2 dogs, 2 doves, several fish and whatever animals you have. It ought to be loads of fun. Not sure of our exact date yet, hopefully the middle of next weeks. The truck is reserved and I can change the date if need be. We still have loads of details to iron out. The packing is getting there. We have made lots of progress in the garage the past few days with the cooler weather and a yard sale. I’m hoping to finish it today before it can get hot again. My living room looks like an exploded warehouse with filled and half-filled boxes everywhere. The cat is losing what little mind he ever had because of all the changes. I am so glad he will be in the truck with the men. Sorry to hear the house sale has not happened yet for you. The market is slowing everywhere. I guess it is forcing prices to come down too.
Finaly! good news about smoking.. Damn, now I have to add tobacco to my preps, and I was planning to quit when pan started.. (yeah I know, heard that before, bla bla bla..)
“Infection causes part of the damage, but what makes patients critically ill is their own fiercely aggressive immune response. Macrophages churn out huge quantities of proinflammatory cytokines. This exaggerated immune response leads to tissue damage, and eventually the patient dies of cardiovascular dysfunction and multiorgan failure”
“it turns out that nicotine can block the cytokine storms that are the most lethal effect of this strain of flu. Nicotine, as in tobacco. Grand irony, that, and yet, apparently true and well documented including the theoretical mechanism (nicotine occupies the acetylcholine receptors that would otherwise be part of the positive-feedback loop that creates cytokine storm). “
Dem, who has been after me about smoking for the nearly 30 years I’ve known him, sent me that link last week.
vell… since I am already doing this converting of metrics etc, lets se how to convert social democratic taxes into $. One 20 packet of sigaretts costs 13$ here in Norway (2/3 is tax).. To prep for 6 months will cost me..1 171,591$.. I am so happy I dont have a car.. you should see the gas prices.. Our earlyer primeminister was head of WHO some years ago.. She did NOT like tobacco, and sugar (and she was also vorried about celphone radiation…!!) But mostly we agre, we know cars and tobaco isnt good for us and the planet…. During a pandemic the smokers will be the only one in the streets,, its ilegal to smoke inside.. (and soon it will be illegal in private homes as well I guess..) No SIP for me then ;)
Urdar,
I live in Virginia, a tobacco growing state. I can get a pack of 20 for about $3.80, including tax, if I buy a carton. There are Internet ways of doing it cheaper but I don’t know what they are.
Former smoker ages 15 to 33, quit when I was deathly sick from bronchitis, it hurt to smoke, a good time to quit. Easiest way to relapse? Lighting them for a friend.
Best quit smoking plan I ever saw was a woman on a polar bear viewing trip I took to Churchill Manitoba. We were out on tundra buggies 9 ft off the ground surrounded by bears, and miles from a store for 4 days. Worked beautifully, she had no choice, and the bears were great too.
yes, but all the taxes are used to train dogs and people to find such things in the mail.. nocando.. heck you should have seen the penalty taxes on my tamiflu from england.. will grow my ovn.. send seeds!
ROFLMAO!
Bumpity, Bumpity, Smoke-ity, Smoke-ity— Do not mind if I do! - Oh yes!
IIRC, in the Civil War the smokers were sure then had more resistance to disease than non-smokers. Not sure the stats bore them out, but new soldiers were encouraged to start the habit. Maybe they were onto something??
Would using the nicotine patch or chewing the nicotine gum, have any effect on cytogenic storm or would the nicotine need to be inhaled directly into the lungs? Anyone smarter than I am, have any thoughts on this. If this might help, I’d be sticking those patches all over my chicks, just like they do with their stickers!(I’ll even decorate them!)
I found this about nicotine in the peak oil forum, and someone mentioned that the advantage of smoking is that you have a very consise feeling of how much nicotine you have inside. The patches are scary becuse if you are not used to smoking you will get sick before the body gives it varning signals. I would recomend smal pieces of cheving gum that you chew on very slow.. But anyone that is not used to nicotine will feel bad.. As I understod it, its nicotine that is the key, not the inhalation. But it makes sence to place it where you need it most, in the lungs.. Maybe the inhalators? I dont have acces to the whole article, (i think its on the streets now) and I dont know if its realy “ a cure “ just quoting the web article…
I heard an anecdote about the collapse of the sovjet.. First the sugar was gone, people was irritated, then the flour, and people was more angry. Then the tobacco and everyone took to the streets, demaning changes..
I had quit a number of times. Oh you know pulling out a pack of cigs, looking at them and throwing them in the back seat,,,,,only to stop down the road and retrieve to light up. That nicotine really got to me and I smoked since I was 21 or so. Then in the morning of Nov 3rd, 1990, saturday morning at 9:15 am while playing a friendly game of cards at a neighbors,,,,,that heavy sensation on the chest, followed by me stand up, a sharp short pain down my left arm (I measured it 2 inches long), followed by an eruption of sweat,,,,,and I had the people call for an ambulance. I had been a medic at one time in the fire service and I knew better not to call,,,,and the words I used were, “Call the ambulance, there’s something going on with my heart.”
When I arrived at the hospital and the doctor reviewed the EKG, my chart, he leaned over the gurney and told me “Gary I would suggest you quit smoking!” I said OK. And that was it. The heart doctor did want to do open heart surgery on me (and I said no, do the angioplasty instead ((I was correct he was wrong)),,,,,and have not had a cigerette since. I was 44 years old.
Cold turkey. Y’all can do it. You tell everyone in advance to steer clear of you for a week, that you will be a very unpleasant person and then dig your heels in and do it. Take long walks, cry a lot, punching bag or whatever it takes and don’t worry about being a bitch - people will understand. And tell everyone you meet what you’re doing - you’ll get a lot of encouragement.
I smoked for over 25 years. Quit a year and a half ago, used Commit Lozenges. Was the hardest thing I have ever done and the best thing I have ever done for myself and my family.
As I said at 30 June 2006 – at 23:54 about the way I was forced to quit,,if I had not had that heart attack, I would bet that I would not be here today. Sometimes it does take a hammer along side the head, but I have known others that have have 5 way by pass that still smoked. I was lucky,,,,and still maintain that smoke free life to this day.
Started smoking in the Mekong Delta to burn the leaches off. Cigs were in the C Rations so cost was not a problem. Been hooked ever since. Have tried to quit at least 2 dozen times. I have not stocked up for the BF. Figure that will force me to quit or go crazy. Best of both worlds. Will be protected going in and will be a non smoker coming out the other side.
So does nicotine help? Could it really help me stay alive?
Still smoke and yes have stash in BF rations. Am not apologetic and not trying to quit. I like smoking!
Gave up all youthful bad habits (which were many) years ago except for smokes and an occasional drink.
If I’m stuck in this house alone for months I figure I’ll need the smokes and a little bourbon/ wine to relax and sooth my sureto be jangled nerves.
Does anyone know of any studies RE: Nitcotine and the Flu?
I’ve done a lot of reserch (on the internet) and all indicators point to nicotine working (to prevent cytokine storms).There are a large number of historical references of tobacco’s effective use during the 1918 pandemic and also many recent credible research papers on nicotine’s use in preventing immune over response.Even a patent that’s a couple of years old was issued for treating cytokine storms caused by influenza with nicotine.Not a patent owned by nut job, but a Doctor from a major legit research school.It’s all there on the internet if you look for it.Really.
DH smokes, I don’t. Should I be prepping nic patches and gum for *both* of us:-?
OKbirdwatcher – at 11:52 --- You might want to get him some patches and gum, but if I were you, I wouldn’t start taking anything with nicotine in it unless I talked with my doctor (whom I would hope would be up to speed on BF).
Heh..and this coming from a smoker! (me)
marcus – at 22:54 I’ve done a lot of reserch (on the internet) and all indicators point to nicotine working (to prevent cytokine storms).
marcus, were those findings in peer-reviewed professional journals? I checked the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) this morning and found different conclusions:
I did see several references to chronic suppression of cytokine production by nicotine use, but those findings were being presented in the context of demonstrating increased pulmonary infections among smokers; there was no reference to cytokine storms.
When I entered search terms of “nicotine cytokine storm” or “nicotine influenza cytokine” the returned results were null — that is, there were no articles containing those combinations of words.
Yes you only have to Google for Cholinergic Agonists and Dr? Kevin J. Tracey …
Bronco Bill -
Yea, I wasn’t *really* serious, just wondering where’s MY magic bullet? <arms crossed, pouting :( >
OKbirdwatcher – at 12:27 --- YOUR magic bullet?!? RWFK, of course!!!
BB - Of course…and my flu prep for today :)
Now you know I couldn’t read this and NOT comment…
For all of you who are hoping nicotine might save you from HPAI, believe what you will, but I truly hope (and pray) that you also remember that this virus might never make the jump as a readily transmissible H2H entity. And the damage that smoking does in the interim is not worth making the bet with your health.
I do anesthesia for a living. And the problems that I encounter when dealing with the consequences of smoking on a patient’s anesthetic/surgical outcome are numerous. I won’t bore you with the voluminous data/studies re: smoking and it’s negative consequences. You already know all of that.
But, the problems faced by your medical providers TODAY may alter the outcome of any procedure or illness. I alter my anesthetic based on a patient’s history of cigarette smoking. Smokers typically require higher anesthetic doses and additional medications. A smoker’s airways are highly irritable. They are susceptible to spasm which may make ventilation difficult. You all know about the increased secretions. Those secretions may also cause a broncho or laryngospasm making for a STRESSFUL or even dangerous situation for those maintaining your airway. And those seemingly “nothing” secretions can make even a small procedure into a disaster.
Add all of the problems smoking causes to our national obesity problem, and you have a recipe for trouble. It is getting more and more challenging to do anesthesia on our population. Increased age (with all of those problems), increased over-weight/obesity, AND smoking makes for a h*[[ of a triad. Oh…don’t forget sleep apnea. That is always a good one to throw in just to make it more interesting.
And all of this does not even mention the potential problems faced post-operatively. Smokers are harder to remove from ventilators, have more pneumonias, higher surgical complications and longer hospital stays.
Everyone thinks they can decide to quit just before their operation. But…you can be driving your car today, have an accident and require an emergency surgery. Or find yourself having a heart attack, or a gallbladder attack, etc.
IMO, the slow death from emphysema is one of the worst imaginable. If you think prepping is important, think again about not smoking. Without electricity, no air conditioning or fans - those suffering with lung damage do not tolerate heat well. The constant (20 gasping breaths/minute) feeling of “air hunger” never goes away. It takes electricity for an oxygen generator to function. And it would take a heck of a lot of O2 tanks to maintain a patient for weeks to months.
This of course does not even touch on the other consequences on other organ systems: poor healing, increased cancer risks, heart disease, increased amputations, osteoporosis, etc. None of it is good.
It is well known how difficult it is to stop smoking, but IMO, if there is any way possible, do so. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US. SIP without easy access to healthcare is a major reason to keep yourself as healthy as possible.
Of course, the main variable is the desire to quit. That is the most important. I wish success for those who try. I can’t speak for the other specialists, but those of us in Anesthesia, would be VERY happy!
nsthesia, I’ll second your comments regarding smoking. For a while, I worked on the “Respiratory Rehab” unit (just 6 beds) of an acute hospital. COPD, from whatever cause, would not be my choice of end-of-life diseases.
However, what if a case is made for transdermal nicotine being able to block the cytokine de-regulation that is seen in young adults with H5N1? If it can have a positive effect (and I am not yet convinced that it can), should we not explore that?
It seems to me to be in the same class as the statins as far as exploration is concerned: not enough good evidence yet, but maybe one more adjuntive therapy that might be useful.
Dennis,
It will take a while for the research on transdermal nicotine patches to be useful. One study does not a valid conclusion make. We as non-researchers will not be able to draw valid conclusions from anecdotal information.
As you know (others here may not), transdermal patches are not innocuous in themselves. Nicotine has negative effects, regardless of the mode of delivery. The patches are just less destructive because cigarette smoke contains so many more toxins than just nicotine, that it is the lesser of two evils.
Heck, I’d be VERY happy if everyone switched from cigarette smoking to patch sticking! At least the respiratory component would be diminished. I just wanted people to know about an aspect that perhaps they never considered. For years, we have just dealt with the situation. Today, it is recommended that people be taught the consequences.
I will also keep an open mind re: nicotine use for HPAI. But, just like Clinton, I won’t inhale. And mom11 don’t even THINK about putting those stickers on a kid unless instructed to by your pediatrician. Nicotine in even small doses can be fatal to kids.
nsthesia at 15:00 - “And mom11 don’t even THINK about putting those stickers on a kid unless instructed to by your pediatrician. Nicotine in even small doses can be fatal to kids.”
Nicotine is one of the oldest and most potent insecticides there is. It’s loved by gardeners because no insect (at least that I’m aware of) has ever developed any resistance to it, it’s cheap, and it’s extremely effective. Gardeners who want to make their own cheap insecticide will simply drop their cigarette butts in a glass of water and spray the resulting “tea” on their plants. Nicotine is a deadly poison and fast-acting; nsthesia’s right, those nicotine patches could kill a child. Be careful with them.
I think this thread should be renamed- “Quit smoking” or “Bash Smokers”
Hi Y’all, This is something we could all do with the help of others. We all really need to quit. Now how do we go about doing it.I have done the patch thing,The gum thing,The happy pill thing.And they didn’t work for me.But I think if we challenge one another we could do it.So who’s up for the challenge.I smoke 1 1/2 packs a day and cough and hack all day.My cig. bill a month is about 180.oo…I could by a nice little car for that or a camper.Thats like 2,000 a year.So who’s up for it……Let me know……Later All
anonomymous – at 19:05, this suggests to me that you smoke. It is a defensive statement from a drug addict fearful of even the thought of having their supply removed, or a clever remark of a tobacco rep who doesn’t want to see more rats leaving the sink ship. No-one is bashing smokers, what we have is either smokers seeking vindication or non-smokers who can’t fathom the addiction. Hands up, I smoke. I wish I didn’t and have had numerous unsuccessful attempts to quit in the last year or so. Unfortunately nicotine is more addictive than heroin.
I was born addicted as my mum smoked. I didn’t start smoking until I left the fog-filled family home. I reckon my body was missing the nicotine it had been imbibing. I don’t blame my folks, at that time they didn’t know the dangers and implications. Even now that I know it’s still hard to stop.
If nothing else quit for your kids’ sake. If you can’t, smoke outside.
In any case it suppresses your immune system. You want a healthy, functioning immune system, not a messed up unreliable one.
For f**k’s sake if you don’t smoke then don’t stick on nicotine patches or anything else that will clue your body into this miserable addiction. If you didn’t smoke before then you seriously up your chances of starting. It is disgusting and many smokers, whether or not they are aware of it, are filled with self loathing because of it. Cigarettes have an antidepressant effect too, which just reinforces the difficulty in stopping. Basically, we stink; we have stale breath and smelly clothes; our fitness is diminished; our skin looks older; we have more yellow teeth, bone loss in the mouth and receding gums; we are ruining ourselves and affecting everyone around us. Oh, in case I forget, our lungs are a mess and we are screwed if something like H5N1 gets a toehold. Make no mistake, we are screwed. I curse the day I ever put a lit cigarette in my gob. Go on, reach for another one to relieve the stress of reading this.
I’m not shy of sticking the boot into big pharma and big food - well here is an UP YOURS to big tobacco too. Does this adequately describe how strongly I feel about this? It is a NO CONTEST. If you don’t smoke don’t start. If you do don’t fool yourself.
Hey Dizzy,Thanks for not downing me as a smoker.What was it Drug addict you said.Yep I am and we all are because we were all lied to.We were never told hold habbit forming they were until we were all hooked on them.I was told by a doctor the addiction to cigs. was stronger then the addiction to heroin.I simply wanted everyone who smokes to waite I hour on there first cig of the day.no patches no gum.So before it even started.You started with the name calling.So forgive me for trying to get a couple of my friends to slow down or maybe evn quiting……..Have a nice life
I think we’re all getting a bit thin-skinned here…
Mstrbubbie – at 00:58 --- I don’t see where Dizzy is attacking you or anyone else in particular…he’s simply expressing his opinion and certainly is not directing anything at you. I smoke, and I agree with what he says. My teeth (those that are real) are stained, my gums are receding, I don’t like the smell of my clothes, but yeah, I guess I AM a drug addict, now that you mention it.
It’s the honorable thing to do, what you’re doing. Even though you smoke, you recognize what it does, and you’re trying to get some friends to either slow down or stop. Nothing wrong in that at all…
Mr. Bubbie:
You could submit to major surgery, that’s usually effective. Heart bypass anyone?
SPAM ALERT AGAIN
Can Mods please help?
Thanks, spam alert. Fixed.
To Dennis in Colordo,
I Googled every combination of words I could think of and have dozens of references (and much copied text) in E-mails I have sent to research doctors,government research directors and science writers and magizines.I can share all this with whoever is interested,however I’m not sure what the policy is for exchanging E-mail addresses on this forum. I am personaly convinced nicotine can be a useful medicine but many people in other forums have proved to be downright hostile to any suggestion that there might be any benifit at all to be dirived from tobacco.I am a long time ex-smoker and my father died of lung cancer,so I’m totaly against addiction to nicotine. I will try and paste some links(in later posts)to what I’ve found but I hope no one starts accusing me of promoting tobacco abuse because that is not at all my intention.
Forgot to add my name to the last post.
Mstrbubbie – at 00:58, I am sorry that you took my comments personally. It was unfortunate coincidence that your post was just before mine, it was after reading the entire thread that I wrote this. I’d love to see you and everyone else who is stuck like I am be able to quit and buy something they’ve always dreamed of having instead of buying themselves a whole lot of ill-health. I applaud your efforts and wish I had a fellow quitter to team up with. You have my sympathy and understanding. BB, thanks.
I am sick of this addiction and when I hear of people sticking anything to do with nicotine on themselves I shudder, thus my strong reaction. I’m also sick of being preached to by those who’ve never smoked. Most people drink coffee, so my standard response is ok, quit drinking coffee. For good. Forever. They shift uncomfortably and say it’s not bad for you (oh yes it is). Ok, take that and multiply x10 and you’re getting warmer. I’m starting to think I’ll have to spend a month in a coma and wake up with total amnesia to get off the cigs. Bitchin’.
A smoker will defend and justify his right to smoke untill the VERY end
Dizzy—I’m starting to think I’ll have to spend a month in a coma and wake up with total amnesia to get off the cigs.
That is how I felt. I told my husband I was gonna have to be locked up for three months. You sure sound like you are ready, very honest with yourself. I smoked for over 25 years, quit a year an a half ago. It’s a very personal thing for each quitter but if you have any questions I would answer them as honestly as I can.
I went cold turkey. The first three days I wanted to kick the dog, people ran from me and I was even thoughtful enough to take two weeks off work. What worked was this-I studied all my habits connected to smoking. So if I got up in the morning got coffee and smoked, I changed it to get up and shower first. Instead of smoking I sucked hard candy or gum. The moment eight minutes passed (time for cig) I spit out candy or gum. I also kept taking breaks like I did when I smoked, but in no smoking zones and drank water to keep mouth from getting dry. Your brain tries to fool you into smoking so it secretes stored nicotine in your mouth and from your skin. The scent or taste is what drives you insane. Therefore, I brushed teeth minimal three times a day,and showered as much as three times a day, changed sheets daily. Had my car professionally cleaned to get out odors. Three days is the physiological kick after that it’s breaking a long habit. Yes I had H/A. yes I felt sick to stomack, yes I had the shakes, yes I gained fifteen pounds (lost later), yes I had a running nose and eyes for months. I dreamed of taking a hit that was more powerful than sex—I woke up several times prepared to go through garbage cans for stubs. But finally, the monster released me. I am honestly so much healthier and I’m glad I did it. I don’t think people in high stress jobs can quit unless they take time off or find themselves in hospitals where they are forced to withdraw. Hope it helps someone. Zyban, gum, and patches no help at all for me, they just prolonged the misery. What you have to realize is that nicotine works along the same brain pathways that cocaine does. It’s just as addictive and just as hard to kick. Bottom line cold turkey won’t kill you, but it will make you wish you were for three days.
Chesapeake, thanks for your support. Yes, I’m both honest and disgusted with myself. As MAV in Col says, a smoker will defend their right to smoke until the last, but I’m past the point of deluding myself that it’s defensible - just struggling with stopping. With each attempt I’m getting better at recognising my own stumbling blocks, and I’ve made more attempts lately then ever before. It will happen, but as you say it’s a very personal process. Like death, no-one can really go there with you =:-o
One thing I have figured is that a lot of it is to do with adrenal hits and blood sugar imbalance. Same reason people get addicted to caffeine, sugar (alcohol included here), dope (affects blood sugar, think munchies), even overexercising. Notice what people substitute in when they quit the cigs. They all hit your adrenals to make them pump out that last bit of oomph. It’s also important to have your nutrition needs met and I’m working to get this right and cut down on all of the above (except dope, that’s already history!) in the hope that it gives me a fighting chance. I really wish everyone who is trying to quit, however they go about, the best of luck.
Leo7, yes, the bit about taking time off work makes sense. I don’t stress a lot but my my job is pretty busy and it’s often the only chance I have to take a break (I’ve even had people bang the toilet door to tell me my phone is ringing, you can imagine my response). I’ve been in the trash looking for dog-ends (I’m so glad none of you know me in the flesh, this is a degrading admission - what was that I said about self-loathing?!).
I’ve washed the curtains, sofa covers, bed clothes, got new toothbrush, cleaned the car etc. but something failed. I’m listening to you. Next attempt I will go further. Another thing that nearly worked last time was just having a nap when the craving was biting. What you say makes sense and I appreciate your tips. One piece of good news is I could do with gaining 15lbs and *not* losing it!
I started smoking at 18 and ended up with pneumonia two weeks later, was hospitalized, and still would sneak out for a cig. I quit both times I was pregnant but believe you me I had those cigs packed in my overnight bag. I’ve tried patches, Zyban which gave me a migraine and then I was allergic to the migraine medicine which gave me a rash, then I tried the inhalers. The problem is, I guess, I really REALLY like to smoke. I am not prepping any cigs or alcohol (now). I just can’t think of those things as an absolute necessity. However, I may be stocking up when it gets to the nitty gritty.
Good Luck Dizzy…may the force be with you!
Dizzy,
My mom quit cold turkey at 76. If she can do it, you can do it.
My grandmother quite at 75 cold turkey….of course a diagnosis of lung cancer contributed to it I’m sure….
I thought it was interesting the lone survivor of the Indo cluster had been a smoker/drinker and wonder if the rest of his family smoked/drank?
bump
Closed due to length, and the smoking lamp is now lit here
Spirits – at 01:20 copied to new thread.