Do you smoke?

[charliej]

So...... how do I answer this question?

I had a doctor appointment today.  First time into this office.  It's a dermatology doctor.  I'm just wanting to get a good once over.  I spent way too many years in the sun.

Filling out the paper work, I was asked..."Do you smoke?"  Two boxes to check....Yes or  No.

So, after 5 months of no smoking, do I check "Yes" or "No".....?  It probably doesn't make a lot of difference to a dermatolagist......but, I've seen this question before.

At what point in my quit do I just mark "NO" ?

Gezz...I am so grateful to even have to ask this question !

Peace,

CharlieJ

[emt088]

Im only 6 weeks and change into my quit and I respond No.. I have since week two i believe.. the nicotine was out of my system at that point, so I felt comfortable saying No.

[dawn4]

Dear CharlieJ,

The answer to the question is NO.

wooo hoooooo!!!!!

[charliej]

Yeah Dawn, technically it is correct.  But, when dealing with medical professionals, it seems to me that after smoking for 40 years, to discount that, and say "NO" after only 5 months..........well, I wouldn't be fooling anyone but me.  Smoking HAS affected my health.  Period ! 

Unfortunately, I have not had the same doctor for the last few years......this health insurance crap sucks, so, with a new doctor, I think I need to be honest with her, and fess up....... I am a smoker.  5 months don't mean sh*t in the long run.......sorry to be blunt. 

I ain't bullshiting my doctor............

Peace Dawn    🙂

[emt088]

You could always go for completely honest and mark no, but make sure to mention during your physical exam with both the nurse and the Doc that you recently Quit.

[charliej]

EMT and Dawn..... thanks for your thoughts !!

Ok, I'm headed out the door...... this week in Fresno we are having the "Rogue Festival"......

It is a week of music, expression, comedy, eclectic  performances and cheer.   It is in the "arts " district.

Quite wonderful indeed!!

I so love going and not having to hang outside to smoke......

Peace

[charliej]

P.S.........I think I'm going to have a beer or two tonight !!!

I love the music................

Peace

[molzep]

Sounds like a cool week!

I say if the available answers are simply yes and no - then your answer is no.  They may not need to no more - I'm sure they give more thorough selections on a need to know basis!~

No, NOPE!

[tcollinskeo]

That gets one to thinking.......  I say the answer is no.  BUT if I were in your place, I don't know.  I am day 23, so not near advanced in the quit.  And it seems like I just keep waiting for that relapse to get me.  So mentally I don't feel like a non-smoker.    Thanks for sharing and way to go on your quit!

[budman12]

Just say No! I'm only 96 days into it which is nowhere near you, but I would have said no as soon as I felt that my commitment and resolve to stay smoke free wasgreat enough. For me that was about 2 weeks into it.

[onelasttime]

NO for sure and be proud of the fact that you can check that box!!!!!

[anacondahead]

I would check "NO" and then write my quit date next to it so they don't think you never smoked. The minute you put out your last cigarette you became a non-smoker.

[geminigypsylady]

Hmmmm ok the question is "do you smoke", not "have you ever smoked".  I would check the box NO and then be sure to mention to doctor that I am a former smoker. 

[Sootie]

I just had this experience---but I didn't even think about it---I was sooooooooooo happy to be marking NO!!!

If you are going for total honesty (unlike me!!)  I wouldn't worry. usually, the doctor or nurse go over the questionnaire. When they say "And I see you don't smoke..."  that is your opening to do the "not now but I did etc.etc."