Ok..I finally quit smoking, but there was a good reason....
The ClubHouse: Archives: Ok..I finally quit smoking, but there was a good reason....
Aussiedeb | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 12:39 pm   Hi all, I have been missing for a few days. Tuesday I was home alone (hubby at work), and I had this big pain hit me, like someone punched me hard. I hadnt been feeling too good all that day, so I laid down on the couch. Hubby came home from work around 4pm and said I didnt look well, I told him I was fine. Lucky for me he didnt believe me, as I was also having chest pains and shortness of breath.. He took me to the ER and they kept me in hospital.. I got out last nite and had to be back this morning for another heart test. They havent said what the exact prob is but they have given me the nitroglycerin pills to take.. There is family history of heart disease, and the fact I was smoking and had high blood pressure wasnt good. So I havent smoked since tues, didnt even need the patches. Hubby is still smoking up a storm, and even though I get the cravings, the smoke tastes really bad. I cant even handle him being near me smelling of smoke now.. Its bad it took something like this to make me quit properly, but I know all of you on the smoking thread are so supportive and I thank you. I will know next week the results of todays test to see if I have any blocked arteries etc.. Oh its bad since I am only 35.. I even missed the announcement of the Amazing Race 2 teams, but I see everyone here put the info up. I have a lot of reading now to catch up on...and cant wait till the shows are back on.
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Car54 | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 12:43 pm   Aw, Deb... what a scary time! Too bad this had to happen, but if there is ANY positive, it got you to the point where you could move forward. I will be thinking of you, take care! |
Moondance | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 12:49 pm   Here some positive love & light coming your way! |
Jeep | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 01:00 pm   Take care, Deb! I'm sorry you have to go thru this scary stuff, but am proud you quit smoking. I wish you the best! |
Whoami | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 01:31 pm   How scary Aussie. Hope you will be on the upwards path to good health now! Seems like I remember Jerry Lewis quit smoking after having a heart attack many years ago. I have an image in my mind where he is sitting in a wheelchair, being discharged from the hospital. He's being interveiwed about how his smoking led to his condition, and how he had stopped smoking now because of it. He talked about how it was a wake up call for him, and in the long run probably saved his life, cause it immediatly stopped his desire to smoke. And, in a weary, funny/serious voice says, "So, I wish every smoker out there a nice healthy heart attack!" |
Babyruth | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 03:00 pm   Aussiedeb, What a scare! I'm glad you're well enough to be home and glad you stopped smoking. I'm not sure if you'll find this personally reassuring or not, but as an RN, I am impressed that they are giving you a good workup and not dismissing your symptoms because of your age and sex. Historically, women's heart health has not been taken as seriously as it needs to. That has recently been changing. It sounds to me like you are getting a good workup, and that is reassuring. That said, I hope your symptoms turn out to be something other than a heart concern (there are quite a few conditions with similar symptoms). But if it is a cardiovascular problem, it sounds like you are getting good care and will do well! I'm keeping you in my thoughts, Aussiedeb. Please keep us posted as you are able. |
Meme9 | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 04:29 pm   Aussiedeb, ohhhh take care of yourself!!! |
Weinermr | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 05:04 pm   Aussiedeb, I'll be thinking of you and wishing you the best. Keep taking care of yourself, cause we want you to live a long and happy life. Take care. |
Juju2bigdog | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 05:11 pm   Thinking of you, Aussiedeb.
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Lancecrossfire | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 05:16 pm   Aussiedeb--wow, what a scare! So glad to hear you have quit--be proud of yourself. Others faced with similar situations haven't quit. I hope for the best on your test results--will be thinking of you. |
Urgrace | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 06:27 pm   You are doing the right thing. Take care and hopefully your hubby will follow the right path too. I'm glad to hear from you. <I made a rule that no one could smoke in my house any more about nine years ago, and wow what a difference! Friends have to inconveniently step outside, but that's the way it is!> |
Aussiedeb | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 06:58 pm   Thanks everyone..its been a harrowing week with all this going on.. I had more pains tonite but did what I was supposed to do with the nitro pill, it seemed to ease it up.. Babyruth, I was surprised how serious they treated this. But they did tell me in the ER that since family history, I did smoke, and have High Blood Pressure I was High Risk. There will be the No Smoking rule in the car and at home in the next few days, as its not healthy for me anyway, plus it makes harder to stay off them.
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Juju2bigdog | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 07:03 pm   Aussiedeb, did the docs say if you could use the patch? If so, use them if you need them. |
Dahli | Friday, February 15, 2002 - 10:15 pm   Good Luck Aussie....and remember any reason to stop is a good reason! |
Aussiedeb | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 06:30 am   Juju... I did previously check with my doctor about using the patch due to high blood pressure, and she said that would be fine. I also told them at the hospital I had the patches to use and they said it was fine. Somehow I think they would rather risk you using the patch than smoking.. Still havent had a cig and hubby was told last nite, No Smoking in the house and in the car with me.. He didnt seem too happy on this news but too bad..lol |
Juju2bigdog | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 07:58 am   Great, Aussiedeb. I make this to be your 6th day without cigarettes then. You may be far enough along that you won't even need the patches. It would be nice if hubby could quit with you but you know better than anybody that you can't do it for another person and nobody but yourself can make you quit. I believe we had another board member, Cablejockey, who quit as a result of an experience similar to yours. If you find yourself teetering on the edge of slipping, go over and get some inspiration from the Who Wants to Quit thread. If nothing else, the time you spend reading will fill in while the urge passes. All you have to do is get by each urge. Good luck and stay well.
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Aussiedeb | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 08:42 am   I put on a patch but it was making me itchy, so I took it off. I was so proud of myself today, I had to run to the next town (about 15min drive) and previously would have 2 cigs. Well I made it there and back without the urge for one. I have collected all ashtrays in the house and washed them and removed them, but hubby will get home from work just after I go to work, and when I get home tonite at 10pm and I smell smoke in the house, there will be hell to pay Thanks Juju for the words of encouragement
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Babyruth | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 09:25 am   Aussiedeb, does your doctor know you are being treated for a new cardiovascular concern AND that you are on a nicotine patch? That is often not a good idea, depending on what your condition is. I would urge you to not use them until/unless your doctor knows and approves. I know, it's not my business, but I can't seem to keep my mouth shut. (Habit, you know.....) |
Babyruth | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 12:10 pm   well, duh, I just read back a few posts! *nevermind!* |
Juju2bigdog | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 06:02 pm   They made me itchy too, Aussiedeb. If you can live without them, you are probably better off. |
Tess | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 06:28 pm   Aussiedeb, I'm so sorry to hear you've not been well and have had a heck of a scare the past several days. Congratulations on your most excellent decision to give up smoking to improve your quality of life. Equal congratulations for making new "house rules"!! (and car rules). You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you recover from your illness and continue your life as a non-smoker.
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Aussiedeb | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 08:33 pm   well I survived a 9 and a half hour shift at work this afternoon, and here it is 11.30pm and still havent smoked ..Juju I am doing this without the patch.. Thanks Babyruth for the warning about the patches. Its great our house doesnt smell like smoke either, hubby is going outside to smoke in the garage... |
Juju2bigdog | Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 09:49 pm   Yay, Aussiedeb!!! One day at a time. |
Donut | Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 11:24 pm   i hope you feel better and get good word back on your tests. Hopefully it will just be acid reflux or something else minimal- (it can pack a big whallop of pain to your chest)Keep us posted |
Aussiedeb | Monday, February 18, 2002 - 07:11 am   I'm so proud of myself..still havent smoked. It is getting easier and easier to do now.. Hubby still is smoking outside in the garage, and he is not smoking as much now..who knows he might just quit yet lol |
Donut | Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 10:37 am   hey aussiedeb, how are you feeling? did you get back any results yet? hope everything is ok! |
Aussiedeb | Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 09:05 am   I am ok. My family doc is going to get the boot from me. She told me my tests were all fine, but, her nurse who saw me first said that they DIDN'T have all the results, only a couple of bloodworks,chest x-ray and lung scan. Then the doc says ALL of my tests were ok. I was like but you dont have them all yet. After prodding her for info about what happened she finally said that I had a coronary spasm. I came home and looked it up and its a type of Angina. What amazed me was one minute she was saying I am fine, the next she is telling me to make sure I know how to take the Nitro pills and to use them when needed etc. But it gets better, My mom in law sees the same doc and the doc told her that day about me, and how since I went to another hospital(where she doesnt go) then I will have to see the doc that I saw at the hospital. Now bear in mind, I live in one town that has a hospital (which the doc goes to), the doc is in the next town, and the hospital I went to is the town after that. The doc is inbetween the 2 hospitals. I am thinking she is banned or something from that hospital. Oh I refuse to go to the hospital in my town as it has a really really bad name, and I had bad experiences there last year. I also thought it was illegal for my doc to discuss my case with other people, that being my mom in law. She also told me that I need to quit smoking, I told her I hadnt smoked since before I went into hospital, then she said well thats good but you need to eat healthy, so I told her I already do as I have tummy probs, she said to exercise, I said that I already do that, I go to a healthclub. arhhhhhhhh... BTW my family doc's hubby is a cardiologist, and it wasnt him that I saw at that hospital but another one. Her hubby has a really bad name around here, my hubbys family have all just changed cardiologists to the one I saw. So maybe jealousy and bad blood? maybe... So I will continue on my healthy regime, and make an appointment to see the new cardiologist.As he had said on some of my tests that something showed up. |
Jeep | Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 09:19 am   I'm glad to hear that you plan to see a new cardiologist. I've had to get second opinions before, too, and many times it helps to avoid further problems. Keep up the good work with no smoking. That's one of the best things you can do for yourself. I am appalled that the doc spoke to your mom-in-law about you. My doc doesn't even discuss me with my hubby and he best not. I don't know if it is illegal, but it sure is not a professional thing to do! |
Babyruth | Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 09:31 am   Good Lord, I'm glad you're changing docs. I would do that just because she discussed you with another person, related or not. I'm not sure if it's illegal, but it's VERY unethical. That alone would be reason enough for me! All the other things you mentioned certainly don't instill much confidence, either. It sounds as though she was being negative and not encouraging about your efforts to make healthy choices. Her failure to be honest and forthcoming about your tests also seems to signal a lack of interest in collaborating with you in your health care. I'm glad you're seeing a new cardiologist! Maybe he can give you a few names of primary care physicians while he's at it. P.S. If you're interested, you can write a complaint to the state medical board about your doc's breach of confidentiality. I sure would. |
Spygirl | Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 04:00 pm   It is a serious breach of confidentiality. Even if the mother-in-law asked about you, the doctor can't even confirm that he/she even SAW you!!!! Acknowledging that is a breach, so can you imagine how big a breach talking about your case is??? |
Donut | Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 07:26 pm   what a bunch of crap you have had to deal with. i am just glad you are feeling better and it wasnt too serious. was that diagnosis something that they can actually see on a test, or determine by symptom description? |
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