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Give and get support around quitting

Del24
Member

I really hope this question is received with my true intent to get reliable information and not an excuse. I am extremely I'll.

I have been unable to hold down food or most liquids for almost 3 months. The doctors are running a lot of tests mostly looking at my endocrine system. They even did several MRIs and CT scan to look for a pituitary tumor. They have tested my thyroid and adrenal gland but the tests have been inconclusive. My doctor said now is not the best time to try to quit smoking because my body is under a lot of stress already and smoking does ease some of the nausea. She said the most important thing is to try to hold down liquids for now. They have put me on liquid suppliments that are like meal replacement also I have IV treatments but I have still lost 37 pounds since July 2 and have begun loosing muscle mass and strength at an alarming rate. Honestly, I think the doctor doesn't know what to look for next even though there is an oncologist and an endocrinologist working with the team. Is it true that now is not a good time to quit without me feeling like a loser for using that as an excuse? I know this is a no excuse support site but honestly ImI so worried about my health I don't know if I can quit smoking right now anyway. Any advice?

21 Replies
minihorses
Member

I know the rest of the community will probably say quit anyway but I personally think your doctor is right.  There is a lot going on with your body and your mind with all the medical issues right now.  You have enough to worry about right now and going through the withdrawal of nicotine would honestly make it ten times worse.  I personally went through a stage where all I could do was vomit. You don't need anything else piled on the huge platter of medical issues you are having.  Try eating Popcicles if you can keep them down.  They provide lots of liquid although non-nutritious at least it's something unless you're still  vomiting, then ice-chips maybe? I pray they find out what's wrong soon so they can start on a healing path for you!

indingrl
Member

call your doctor tell your doctor -he is the PROFESSIONAL of your personal health physical - i am not a PROFESSIONAL.

GyorgyiM
Member

Stopping smoking requires a strong "Mental Status"......and I agree with"Minihorses"  that perhaps right now is not the time to make the decision to stop. Get your answers, get your health back on track and then make your choice. When we are physically ill it is VERY difficult to even crank out a smile, let alone the willpower to make such a drastic change, becuase it will effect you physically. 

Perhaps just be more intentional regarding "how much" you smoke.....every little bit helps, and that can also mentally prep you for when you are ready to stop.

I pray for your health and happiness...

Miles of Smiles

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YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

I am so sorry to hear of your illness and all you are going through.  I will include you in my prayers going forward.

While I cannot BELIEVE I am saying this, I agree with those above.  While you are waiting to find the answers, I would, however, do some of the homework in preparation for the time when you have a diagnosis, start to feel better and are ready to quit. You might try putting each cigarette off just a bit and naturally cutting back a bit for awhile.   Spending time reading about other things might help to keep your mind off your other troubles, as well.

Do you have a university medical center anywhere near where you live?  If so, there is no harm at ALL in asking for another opinion there.  It sounds like the specialists you are seeing are stumped --- so I would find some MORE!  It took me FOUR orthopedists to diagnose terrible pain in my knee - so it is not unheard of that it takes a village sometimes to not only raise a quit - but to find a diagnosis of a difficult illness.

The most important thing you can do is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for it  or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
 
 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance.  When you are ready, you should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested in My Quit Plan http://www.becomeanex.org/my-quit-plan.php
 
 After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort.  I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.
 
When you quit, the idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
 
You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
 
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...
 
The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.
 
Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!


 Nancy

Tabbiekat
Member

A few years ago my husband got the same advice from his primary doctor. He was in the middle of having a lot of health issues and it took almost two years of the tests and ruling out things until they got him a confirmed diagnosis. Now years later he has quit. He started about a year ago with the desire to quit, I quit 10 months ago (we initially were going to quit together, but he just couldn't). Over the last few months he held on to his desire, slowly cut back and eventually quit without having the stress of it. He was ready and his body was ready. Today is his one month smoke free.

Spend time reading and learning about the addiction to nicotine. Figure out ways that you can cut back and hopefully as you find out what is wrong with you and have solid treatments in play you can transition to a full quit without a lot stress. Stay with us through your journey.

Keeping you in my prayers

Tabbie

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elvan
Member

I honestly don't know what to say.  I am a retired RN, I have never heard a doctor tell someone NOT to quit smoking.  I can only ask what they think is happening to your lungs as you continue to smoke.  I never felt that cigarettes helped me to keep anything down, exactly the opposite BUT, I am not judging you, I simply do not understand the thinking.  I'd like to speak with the doctor and ask about your lungs and your cardiovascular system.  I understand that something is going on and it sounds horrible, I just cannot understand why you would have a patient administer a poison when you can't even make a diagnosis.  I don't see this as an excuse, I am just befuddled.

I certainly will be saying prayers for you.

Ellen

SimplySheri
Member

I would never advocate to disregard a doctor's advice.  But I also don't know why you are asking because we aren't doctors and even if someone here is, they would not attempt to diagnose you over the internet.  Listen to your doctor, ask questions, and partner with the professionals.  This is your life.

Hope they find out what is going on!!

SaraCorinne
Member

My sister is a retired RN.  I was going through an ugly divorce years ago and was thinking about quitting smoking too.  She told me the same thing.  I listened to her and smoked for another 35 years.  I know I eat WAY LESS when I'm smoking.  I quit 20 days ago and it feels like I gained a pound (or more) a day.  I think, if I were you, I'd want to see if quitting helped the situation.  You already know how you're doing while smoking.  Maybe things would turn around if you quit now.  Once again, that's just my opinion.  I'm not a doctor and don't even play one on tv, haha.  Good luck.  Hope they get you figured out!  Hang in there.

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

 Is it true that now is not a good time to quit without me feeling like a loser for using that as an excuse?

I believe that you are the only one that can truly "honestly" answer this question.  We can only quess and assume and offer our opinion.  We do not know you or your mental, spiritual, commitment, determination, willingness to let go which is what you will need to have a successful quit.  Your quit would have to be a priority.  Can it be a priority right now?  I think you should access it for yourself along with your medical team.  We wish you the very best and will support whenever you need us. 

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