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MedHelp Member's Question

Why Quit?

by Scooter5, Apr 11, 2002 12:00AM
I am a 35 year old female who has smoke for about 17 years.  I am now on my 3rd day smoke free.  i have been scanning the web for some info and everything that I find is very discouraging.  The Lung Assoc. says it takes 15 years for the cancer risk to go down to the level of a non-smoker and up to 15 years for the risk of other diseases  to decrease.



What's the point?  They try to convince you to quit, but it doesn't seem as though you're any better off once you have.



Is this just an ex-smoker's rant or are there benefits to quitting no matter how old you are or how long you've smoked?



thanks
Member Comments (16)

by 1fortheroad, Apr 11, 2002 12:00AM
congratulations!!!  you're doing great! my guess is that it is an ex-smoker's rant...deep down you know there are good reasons not to smoke, and there are many to quit.  it is the hardest thing ever - even more than quitting drugs i think.

by Seamstress, Apr 11, 2002 12:00AM
To: Scooter5
How about, according to your information, that when you're fifty, you'll have same risk of cancer as a nonsmoker.  I quit smoking over 15 years ago.  My father died of lung cancer preceded by congestive heart failure and emphysema.  Lung cancer always metasizes to the brain.  It's not a good way to go.

by mrmichael67, Apr 11, 2002 12:00AM
Each time you inhale a drag, your arteries contract.  If a clot is flowing through your veins and a contraction occurs, heart attack or stroke.  Even though it takes 17 years as you say, your breathing will be back to normal sooner than that.  And, when I say sooner, I mean it takes months.  I should know, I quit about 14 months ago.

by 1fortheroad, Apr 11, 2002 12:00AM
To: gwh
where have you been?  i got back to you...hope you're ok.

by OxyDout, Apr 12, 2002 12:00AM
To: groovy
your awesome, always concerned, i need more people like you that I can actually see every day, but I have my brother and, well hes the only one that really knows. Anyway, how are you feeling today? I hope your doing well. I don't know what to do, some people have been talking about how my brother has issues with using......... I knew he was lying to me, I don't know how to approach him, he always lies and he won't give in, any suggestions.



GWH

by 1fortheroad, Apr 12, 2002 12:00AM
To: gwh
you can't help him until he's ready to be helped...you know how it goes.  it is so hard to see someone you love hurting themselves...i've put my husband thru some very difficult times, and i thank god every day that i have him and that he's stuck with me.



how are you today?  it doesn't seem like people are posting much these past couple days...

by OxyDout, Apr 12, 2002 12:00AM
To: groovy
yea, I know, I think I scared them off with the whole kicking mickey in the %&* comment, haha.  No but seriously, your right, I don't know whats going on, but I don't blame them, sometimes you need a break.  I'm doing ok today, my legs a little irritable and in a little pain.  I went to the gym this morning and my knee held up pretty well.  And yourself? let me know whats going on, you feeling ok, physically, mentally?



GWH

by dive, Apr 12, 2002 12:00AM
Hi everyone.  



Me again.  Day...11 I think.  



GWH, I hope you're doing better today.  I know how hard these times are for you.  But hang on.  I'm proud that you didn't pick up.  Dulling emotional pain is so easy with drugs, only to have come tenfold after the high is over.  I admire your resolve.



As far as me... I'm feeling good.  I still think about those little things at least 10 times a day, only it's starting to be in the context of despising them, instead of loving them(the pills).  All physical symptoms are over, my legs are calm, and sleep cycle has returned, I think.  I slept from 11:45 till 6:45, and actually woke to the sound of an alarm clock.  These past 2 weeks I was beating the alarm by at least 1-2 hours, and then lay there waiting for my time to get up.



I hope everyone is feeling "just a little better" today than yesterday, after all that is what we hang on to here, knowing the next day will be better than the previous.



by Jagstarrr, Apr 12, 2002 12:00AM
HI Everyone!  I'm back.  Sorry for the delay. I went and received my scholarship today. I'm feeling great! Not bad withdrawals from quiting vics. just nerves and a few runs. Nothing compared to the Oxy's. Like I said. I did the taper thing. took half a pill for my last dose today. It worked for me.



OK enough on me. My views of smoking .  Here goes. I don't smoke. I can smell the smoke on others who do. It's in there hair and clothes and house. THAt SMELL. My Mom makes my Dad takes his clothes off before entering the house after a few drinks with the boys. Many reasons to quit. Like your family breathing in all that poison. Kids are very prone to second had smoke. So are your teeth and gums. If you think it takes time for your health to come back, think of others too. Please don't think I"m being insincere, just my opinion. Thanks all and God Bless.

           ~J~

by dunit, Apr 13, 2002 12:00AM
Well smoking,thats something I know alot about! after a 25 year old habit,and alot of nagging from my then, 5 year old I quit. It was rough, but I did it with a friend-that always makes it easier. After a year I thought I could handle one puff, and I did , but a week or two later the 20th (little puff) got me rite back to nico addiction. Two more years before I quit again. The 2nd time I knew I was gonna do it for good and the quiting seemed easier. It's been 5 years and no cigs.

I did use those nico patches and they hleped some.

I tryed to stay away from anyone who smoked( made me wanna cig reallll bad).

I told the people close to me who smoked to not give me a "puff" or a cig even if I begged.

That ment I would actually have to go to the store and buy a pack! That ment defeat.

Now I have very few cravings, only when I am around a smoker (hey to me it smells good, what can I say!!??)

I Sam sure you know all the bad things that smoking does to you, and what a terrible death lung cancer is.

Also it feels great to be smoke free, although quiting didnt give me personaly the great taste of food,boost of energy and other things some people experience. It made me feel so clean and free of that craving that is ALWAYS on your mind. Now that it is so hard to find a place to smoke it must take up so much of your mental energy just to plan how to get your next nico fix. And yeah being an addict I must say it is for certain another one of those bad and highly addictive drugs.

by OxyDout, Apr 15, 2002 12:00AM
Good morning guys,



I have a question.  I was given 2 pills, I don't know the name, its Metha... not methadone, they were prescribed for Muscle spasms.  It says to take 1 pill 3 times a day.  The pill itself is white like a vicoden.  It says "DAN"/"DAN" on the front and says 5382.  The person who gave it to me showed me the bottle, I can TRUST this person.  He gave it to me because of my leg spasms I have been getting from the surgeries/addiction issue........ Does anyone know if this has any type of oxycodone or any similar substance........  Thank you.  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I have to work today!!!! but thats ok, my girlfriend is running the marathon!!! so wish her luck.  Groovy how are you??

by Seamstress, Apr 15, 2002 12:00AM
To: GWH
METHOCARBAMOL tablets are skeletal muscle relaxants according to rxlist.com which incidentally provides a search for NDC codes and lots of useful information on just about every drug out there.

by dunit, Apr 15, 2002 12:00AM
To: jagstarr and dive
Jag---glad to hear your doing well, tapering off always worked for me, but that 1st day without was a real bummer then the next 2 were ruffffff.  Glad you got thru the WD's , any depression?? If not your on your way! Just stay clear of those bad infuences. Keep us posted,we always like to hear the succcess storys.



Dive --Day 11, or 15 by now,hope your still clean , and Congratulations! You two sound like you are doing great

and I am so happpy for you.

One day soon you will wake up early (after a GOOD nite sleep) and hear the birds sing, head outside to sit in the early morning sunrise and get "high on life" as we used to say(and we did)

I can't wait to join you--ahhh--mabey one day.

keep the faith and talk to someone--it really helps when your weak moments hit.

posting takes time, but reading is part of my everyday therapy, your lives are part of mine. you guys are my only support--feeling kind of down and sorry for myself tonight. Best go to bed.

Later---------

dun-it

by dive, Apr 16, 2002 12:00AM
To: Dunit / GWH
Hey Dunit,



Thanks for that comment.  Yes I am still clean and it is now day 15.  I feel like myself again.  I still read this board everyday.  It is my daily NA meeting.  And it is truely Anonymous. LOL.  I have to tell you..  being clean feels so good.  I love my new life, and if I can do this, anyone can.  I believe it just takes the right state of mind.  Hang in there, everyday it gets better.



GWH,



How are you?  I hope you had fun at the Marathon.  Is your girlfriend Kenyan? if so, congratulations :-).  Just kidding, I hope you're doing well.  I just wanted to put in my 2 cents on the muscle relaxer.  Stay Away.  I was taking soma for a while there, and it is truely addictive,  I went through a little withdrawal from that **** around December.  I was taking it as prescribed by a doctor for a shoulder injury.  Honestly it didn't do much for me except calm me down and make me sleep.  My point is, You have come so far to be clean, try to stay away from as many substances as you can.  I know you have leg problems, but I believe you need stay clear of RX drugs for a while.  



I hope everyone is doing well,  I am having a pretty good day so far, and will continue to lurk around the board.  Take care, and stay clean.