posted
Hi! I really want to get better so I am really trying to give up smoking.One problem,somehow it keeps me sane.I really feel like I am going over the edge some days.It takes the edge off this disease for me.I do believe that if it hadn't been for my few cigerettes a day I may not be here now. Sounds weird to a non-smoker,but when you are sick,have no energy etc all the time it is at least something you can enjoy and look forward to in the day.
Don't want to smoke but am I being too hard on myself trying to give up now. Really feeling the pressure,Sue.
Posts: 801 | From Kiama,Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
I quit snuff.
Posts: 10564 | From PA Where the Creeks are Red | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
I totally understand where you are coming from. Actually, nicotine has been found to have a beneficial effect in certain brain diseases, most notably alzheimers. However, you should quit asap, because unlike alzheimer's, you can recover or at least significantly improve from lyme disease. I suggest using the nicotine gum. It worked for me. Also, and I know this is very difficult, start an exercise routine of some sort. I started by walking 6-9 miles a day. Bicycling and swimming are good, too. If you have a PICC line, you can at least walk and bike. Don't lift weights or run with the PICC line, though, because when I tried this the line looped up into my neck and they had to pull it out. It will be very difficult to force yourself to exercise, but once you get going, you'll feel better. No pain, no gain. You just have to realize that despite how you feel, your life can get better. It is not easy, but I know you can do it.
quote:Originally posted by shassler64: Hi! I really want to get better so I am really trying to give up smoking.One problem,somehow it keeps me sane.I really feel like I am going over the edge some days.It takes the edge off this disease for me.I do believe that if it hadn't been for my few cigerettes a day I may not be here now. Sounds weird to a non-smoker,but when you are sick,have no energy etc all the time it is at least something you can enjoy and look forward to in the day.
Don't want to smoke but am I being too hard on myself trying to give up now. Really feeling the pressure,Sue.
Posts: 45 | From Stillwater, OK, USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
Hi Sue. My husband only started serously smoking after he got LD -- for the pick-me-up (and nicotine does improve cognitive function). He really struggled to stop, and did finally after the 80 billionth attempt.
One of his neuro sx was compulsive behaviour, and smoking was definitely part of that.
His used to have a lot of stomach pain and discomfort; this was hugely reduced after he quit. After treating for yeast and h pylori, his stomach pain is almost completely gone now.
Unless you smoke one of the organic brands of tobacco, there's a ton of poisons and heavy metals that you ingest when you smoke, as well. So you'll probably need a good metals detox.
TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
Yep,
I gave it up. The withdrawal was horrible and brought out the most of my worst neuro symptoms, but I swear after all that crap cleared from my system, I have more improvement now than I ever did.
Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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lymiecanuck
Unregistered
posted
I have quit. Two months ago, but started again for about a week and then quit again. The patch was the life saver for me.
Compulsive behavior, that's me , and I smoked alot. If I can quit anyone can, and I have to watch my husband smoke. As I mentioned on other thread, I can't tolerate it now. It makes me sick, like relpase stroke type symptoms sick, major cardio and neuro stuff. So even if I have one I will regret it.
This is the bonus, about this time for me. If I started again, I would be dead in a few weeks, or seriously messed up.
Strange eh? Really try and quit, you will feel so much better, I do.
troutscout
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3121
posted
I also quit snuff.
Yes, the mood swings were there...but, I couldn't tell if it was the Lyme or the nicotine. lol
Trout
PS>>>I have quit both of them at one time or another..and most definately...cigarettes are the WORST...all the poisonous gases, etc that your body has become accustomed to...oy!
I also just 'did it'....nothing else seemed to helped.....and, yes it sucked.
Posts: 5262 | From North East Iowa | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
I quit on April 9th and have not had one since. I decided to quit because I would get dizzy when I smoked and I kept dropping my ciggarette. I had smoked off and on for 25 years.
I bought some of those pixi sticks filled with sugar. I found some made out of plastic instead of the paper and I chewed on those. It gave me something to put in my mouth and took about as long to get the sugar out as smoking did.
I still have cravings and still want one but it gets easier every day. Now I can really smell ciggarette smoke and it smells really bad.
I hope I never go back to them. If you can get through the first few days, it will be so much easier. I wish you all the luck in the world. You can do it!!!
posted
Another incentive to quit smoking.....Tobacco is a nightshade. It can cause pain in sensitive individuals. So if you're in pain, quitting may bring relief!
I've been following the pain-free diet and it has helped my level of pain.
Avoid spices, potatoes, peanuts, tomatoes, peppers, ....and there's more. Sorry, don't have any links to more info!
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