I went to our quack the other day, my complaint was that I was loosing the feeling in my legs, they were as cold as charity from the knee down,
the result of a heap of tests is that I have lost 2/3's of the blood circulation to both legs.
this was blamed directly to my smoking over the last 50 years.
I now have to enter Hospital and have the veins in both legs opened up again
The quack said that I must give up smoking Straight away or I might have to loose both legs,
well that was enough to scare the pants off me so, the doc stuck me on these nicotine patches,
At first I didn't have any faith in what I called a new gimmick, but within two days I had cut my 25 smokes per day, down to 5 and today I haven't had one,
I must say, I am really surprised at how easily I found it to give up, whether it was the thought of loosing my legs, or did the patches do what they where supposed to do, one thing I do know is that I seem to have a lot more cash in the pocket now, maybe I should have given up a long time back, we could have had a new caravan by now.
K.J.
PJK said
02:11 PM Jun 20, 2014
Good on you Kiwi Jim.
I am sure your whole body will thank you for it.
I have never been a smoker, but for the past 40 years have been overweight despite trying heaps of weight loss methods.
Perhaps a Nicotine patch would help me as well. Just have to put it over my mouth.
Regards
Peter
PJK
aussie_paul said
02:37 PM Jun 20, 2014
kiwijims wrote:
I went to our quack the other day, my complaint was that I was loosing the feeling in my legs, they were as cold as charity from the knee down,
the result of a heap of tests is that I have lost 2/3's of the blood circulation to both legs.
this was blamed directly to my smoking over the last 50 years.
I now have to enter Hospital and have the veins in both legs opened up again
The quack said that I must give up smoking Straight away or I might have to loose both legs,
well that was enough to scare the pants off me so, the doc stuck me on these nicotine patches,
At first I didn't have any faith in what I called a new gimmick, but within two days I had cut my 25 smokes per day, down to 5 and today I haven't had one,
I must say, I am really surprised at how easily I found it to give up, whether it was the thought of loosing my legs, or did the patches do what they where supposed to do, one thing I do know is that I seem to have a lot more cash in the pocket now, maybe I should have given up a long time back, we could have had a new caravan by now.
K.J.
Good for you kiwijims. My father made sure I did not smoke as he smoked and was annoyed that something had power over him. He eventually gave it up. I am so grateful for his honesty AND to convince me to never try it.
Aussie Paul.
neilnruth said
03:58 PM Jun 20, 2014
Well done kiwijims. Hope it saves those legs.
kiwijims said
06:36 PM Jun 20, 2014
Thanks for the kind thoughts everyone,
I went and saw the "quack" again this afternoon, he was amazed at my reduction in blood pressure since I stopped smoking,
it was running at 150 over something, but today it was down to 131, anyway he was happy so I guess am as well,
next comes the operation, then if all goes well, I might throw out a walking challenge to all grey nomads.
K.J.
pambaz said
07:58 PM Jun 20, 2014
It can only be good now Kiwijims. Congratulations on your success and I hope your legs improve. There is nothing like having good health.
My husband gave up 60 cigs a day 38 yrs ago and he said it was the hardest thing he ever did. Went cold turkey, no aids to help just stopped and never went back to them. It was amazing seeing it was a month before X mas and we were into the party mode. Said he felt so much better and of course we had more money.
Pam
kiwijims said
10:52 AM Jun 21, 2014
" WOW" from 60 smokes per day zero, that's incredible Pam,
Your hubby sure deserves a big pat on the back for managing that,
after two days I am starting to feel the temptation returning, but determination ( hopefully )will see me through.
K.J.
Mike C said
02:27 PM Jun 21, 2014
Good on ya KJ
Wish I had the same strength of will.....
My dad finally gave up at 65 by falling down stairs and breaking a couple of ribs.. hurt to cough so he stopped..
cheers
Mike
pambaz said
04:22 PM Jun 21, 2014
kiwijims wrote:
" WOW" from 60 smokes per day zero, that's incredible Pam,
Your hubby sure deserves a big pat on the back for managing that,
after two days I am starting to feel the temptation returning, but determination ( hopefully )will see me through.
K.J.
Watching his Father die of lung cancer made him do it , I was very proud of him and the fact that he was never tempted again. i know it took a lot of willpower. Several of his friends just couldn't do it but years later they did. they were the days when most people smoked. He chewed a lot of gum and lollies.
peterblack said
08:08 AM Jun 22, 2014
hi the best thing u could do mate congrats on that effort. I gave up the smokes cold turkey many years ago but I must say it took 12 months or so to get over them. glad I did saved on dollars and health I guess. enjoy life
Vic41 said
04:56 PM Jun 22, 2014
Sorry to hear about your legs KJ, but glad you are managing to kick the habit, keep at it.
I gave up at 37 (smoking 20 per day) and it is the best thing I ever did, can't stand the things now.
I had several earlier attempts but no patches around then (or all the health warnings they have today) tried not carrying a lighter or matches around with me at one time and this reduced it by a lot, surprising how often when I wanted a light nobody around me had one.
In the end, just went cold turkey, a bit hard to get along with for a few weeks while getting over the addiction but eventually started to get easier. I would keep away from any group things (eg; bars or social gatherings) during this time in case I was tempted.
kiwijims said
11:07 AM Jun 23, 2014
You're right about being a bit hard to get along with , I'm the same Vic.
the last time I tried to kick the habit, the missus reckoned I was so bad, she went out and bought me a packet, just to get some peace,
another time, when working up in the North west years ago, I drove 150 km one way, because there were in smokes in camp.
So you can see, I have a challenge ahead of me,
there's no problem staying out of pubs or bars, who can afford a beer at the price they are charging today,
the last time a Beer I think it cost about $ 3.00 a glass, I believe it's a bit dearer now.
K.J.
Vic41 said
01:29 PM Jun 23, 2014
Hang in there KJ, if you can get over the worst of the withdrawal then it lessens and is worth the bad temper etc, eventually you will have to wean yourself off the patches also.
My heart specialist/surgeon was a smoker and eventually lung cancer got him, I was surprised a person who saw what he saw with blocked artery's etc smoked. When he took your blood pressure he reeked with tobacco smell.
It is an evil substance and like any non prescribed or medicinal drugs needs to be avoided if possible with medical help.
Happywanderer said
12:09 AM Jun 24, 2014
Fantastic news kiwijims. I know how hard it is to give up but the patches do work. I gave up 15 years ago using the patches, best thing I ever did.
Hope those legs of yours improve for you.
Gerty Dancer said
04:08 PM Jun 24, 2014
Great news Kiwijims, and good luck with the legs op. You,ve made a good start hang in there.
kiwijims said
12:50 PM Jun 25, 2014
Thanks for all the support Folks, I heard yesterday that the procedure as it is called, will take place in the middle of August,
almost a week now since I have given up smoking and it's been a pretty long week at that,
when things don't go as one would like, the first thing I have always done was to sit down and have a puff,
now I have to be content with chasing the dogs around the house, with these legs, they are pretty safe and a slow trot keeps them out of trouble.
K.J.
TizTom said
04:11 AM Jul 17, 2014
Good luck with the smoking, my last one was last Dec just before my last operation on my right leg for blocked arteries. I found Champix was the easiest way to kick them and easy to give up again if you fall off the wagon, I was on and off for about 3yrs and could honestly kill for one now but I only get that feeling once or twice a day.
As far as the leg op's go they are usually painless, if it's a stent or balloon you'll be back on your feet the next day, partial artery replacement is only a little sore for a couple of days, DVT from 3 flights in one day to the bypass is absolute bloody agony - but after about 10 op's to the one leg in 3yrs, including a bypass to the bypass everything seems pretty good now.
kiwijims said
10:56 AM Jul 18, 2014
G'day Tiztom, I sure hope that I don't have to go through more than one operation.
Any more than one, will interfere with our plans of getting back on the road again, hate being unable to get around, would love to be up in the North right now, instead of sitting here in cold, wet, Perth.
maybe by the end of next Month, after the Opp, I sure hope we will be gone.
"GAUD" I could kill for a smoke !!!!
K.J.
TizTom said
02:22 PM Jul 18, 2014
You'll be right, my specialist has me checked every 6 months, just a treadmill test so they can check the blood pressure in your legs before and after then a simple Doppler to check for more problems, every time I get it done I need a new stent or something and you should get them to check your carotid artery while you are there, I did and ended up slit from ear to throat to clean all the muck out hahahaha ............... Better than a stroke I suppose and I'm only 57.
I've got an almost continuous scar from half way up my calf to next to my old feller from all the different ops but if you're still getting along ok you'll probably only need a balloon or stent so you'll be out in no time, just keep off the durrys.
Cowboy7307 said
07:57 PM Jul 26, 2014
I stopped about 10 years ago, from smoking a pipe for 20 years and cigs before that from the age of 13
I found the Nicorate chewing gum worked for me started on the 4mg then the 2mg then had to weed my self off the gum , never had or ever wanted to start again, mind you i did put a fare bit of weight on
All the best
I went to our quack the other day, my complaint was that I was loosing the feeling in my legs, they were as cold as charity from the knee down,
the result of a heap of tests is that I have lost 2/3's of the blood circulation to both legs.
this was blamed directly to my smoking over the last 50 years.
I now have to enter Hospital and have the veins in both legs opened up again
The quack said that I must give up smoking Straight away or I might have to loose both legs,
well that was enough to scare the pants off me so, the doc stuck me on these nicotine patches,
At first I didn't have any faith in what I called a new gimmick, but within two days I had cut my 25 smokes per day, down to 5 and today I haven't had one,
I must say, I am really surprised at how easily I found it to give up, whether it was the thought of loosing my legs, or did the patches do what they where supposed to do, one thing I do know is that I seem to have a lot more cash in the pocket now, maybe I should have given up a long time back, we could have had a new caravan by now.
K.J.
I am sure your whole body will thank you for it.
I have never been a smoker, but for the past 40 years have been overweight despite trying heaps of weight loss methods.
Perhaps a Nicotine patch would help me as well. Just have to put it over my mouth.
Regards
Peter
PJK
Good for you kiwijims. My father made sure I did not smoke as he smoked and was annoyed that something had power over him. He eventually gave it up. I am so grateful for his honesty AND to convince me to never try it.
Aussie Paul.
Thanks for the kind thoughts everyone,
I went and saw the "quack" again this afternoon, he was amazed at my reduction in blood pressure since I stopped smoking,
it was running at 150 over something, but today it was down to 131, anyway he was happy so I guess am as well,
next comes the operation, then if all goes well, I might throw out a walking challenge to all grey nomads.
K.J.
It can only be good now Kiwijims. Congratulations on your success and I hope your legs improve. There is nothing like having good health.
My husband gave up 60 cigs a day 38 yrs ago and he said it was the hardest thing he ever did. Went cold turkey, no aids to help just stopped and never went back to them. It was amazing seeing it was a month before X mas and we were into the party mode. Said he felt so much better and of course we had more money.
Pam
" WOW" from 60 smokes per day zero, that's incredible Pam,
Your hubby sure deserves a big pat on the back for managing that,
after two days I am starting to feel the temptation returning, but determination ( hopefully )will see me through.
K.J.
Wish I had the same strength of will.....
My dad finally gave up at 65 by falling down stairs and breaking a couple of ribs.. hurt to cough so he stopped..
cheers
Mike
Watching his Father die of lung cancer made him do it , I was very proud of him and the fact that he was never tempted again. i know it took a lot of willpower. Several of his friends just couldn't do it but years later they did. they were the days when most people smoked. He chewed a lot of gum and lollies.
hi the best thing u could do mate congrats on that effort.
I gave up the smokes cold turkey many years ago but I must say it took 12 months or so to get over them.
glad I did saved on dollars and health I guess.
enjoy life
Sorry to hear about your legs KJ, but glad you are managing to kick the habit, keep at it.
I gave up at 37 (smoking 20 per day) and it is the best thing I ever did, can't stand the things now.
I had several earlier attempts but no patches around then (or all the health warnings they have today) tried not carrying a lighter or matches around with me at one time and this reduced it by a lot, surprising how often when I wanted a light nobody around me had one.
In the end, just went cold turkey, a bit hard to get along with for a few weeks while getting over the addiction but eventually started to get easier. I would keep away from any group things (eg; bars or social gatherings) during this time in case I was tempted.
You're right about being a bit hard to get along with , I'm the same Vic.
the last time I tried to kick the habit, the missus reckoned I was so bad, she went out and bought me a packet, just to get some peace,
another time, when working up in the North west years ago, I drove 150 km one way, because there were in smokes in camp.
So you can see, I have a challenge ahead of me,
there's no problem staying out of pubs or bars, who can afford a beer at the price they are charging today,
the last time a Beer I think it cost about $ 3.00 a glass, I believe it's a bit dearer now.
K.J.
Hang in there KJ, if you can get over the worst of the withdrawal then it lessens and is worth the bad temper etc, eventually you will have to wean yourself off the patches also.
My heart specialist/surgeon was a smoker and eventually lung cancer got him, I was surprised a person who saw what he saw with blocked artery's etc smoked. When he took your blood pressure he reeked with tobacco smell.
It is an evil substance and like any non prescribed or medicinal drugs needs to be avoided if possible with medical help.
Hope those legs of yours improve for you.
Thanks for all the support Folks, I heard yesterday that the procedure as it is called, will take place in the middle of August,
almost a week now since I have given up smoking and it's been a pretty long week at that,
when things don't go as one would like, the first thing I have always done was to sit down and have a puff,
now I have to be content with chasing the dogs around the house, with these legs, they are pretty safe and a slow trot keeps them out of trouble.
K.J.
As far as the leg op's go they are usually painless, if it's a stent or balloon you'll be back on your feet the next day, partial artery replacement is only a little sore for a couple of days, DVT from 3 flights in one day to the bypass is absolute bloody agony - but after about 10 op's to the one leg in 3yrs, including a bypass to the bypass everything seems pretty good now.
G'day Tiztom, I sure hope that I don't have to go through more than one operation.
Any more than one, will interfere with our plans of getting back on the road again, hate being unable to get around, would love to be up in the North right now, instead of sitting here in cold, wet, Perth.
maybe by the end of next Month, after the Opp, I sure hope we will be gone.
"GAUD" I could kill for a smoke !!!!
K.J.
I've got an almost continuous scar from half way up my calf to next to my old feller from all the different ops but if you're still getting along ok you'll probably only need a balloon or stent so you'll be out in no time, just keep off the durrys.
I found the Nicorate chewing gum worked for me started on the 4mg then the 2mg then had to weed my self off the gum , never had or ever wanted to start again, mind you i did put a fare bit of weight on
All the best