Thursday, November 6, 2008
Chantix for Smoking Cessation
While I understand that Chantix can be very helpful to some for stopping smoking, it does have some rather dangerous side effects that people considering it should be aware of. Always, always consult with your doctor before taking it.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Being on Respirator Made Her Quit Smoking
My friend Francine sent me her story about smoking and how it almost killed her:
"I was born with bronchial asthma and have never been able to move very fast or get into strenuous sports or activities. I started smoking when I was 12 years old by stealing my Grandpa's Camels. I always loved smoking and no matter what the doctors told me I wanted my cigarettes. I always had a nagging cough and was sick pretty often with upper respiratory infections. Every time I went to the doctor he would tell me to quit smoking - but not me. I would cough my brains out and as soon as I stopped for a while I would light up again. This had been going on all my life and I was getting more and more short of breath. At 56 years old I was finally put on a nebulizer and inhalers, but still I did not stop!
On September 13, 2001 (right after 9/11 which caused this attack) I had to call 911 because I could not breathe. They stabilized me in the ER and then was sent home with more inhalers. The very next day I was lighting a cigarette and the same thing happened again - could not breathe. Thank God my daughter was there! Called 911 again and was Life Flighted to a hospital in a larger city some 60 miles away. I was put on a respirator and after 17 days of not being awake, I woke up to find my kids around me and found out I had been given last rites! I started having panic attacks because I could not stand the breathing machine. I kept telling them to take it off, but they said I would not live if they did. Against everyone's opinion and advice it was taken off and I was sent home on Hospice care, oxygen tanks and morphine. I have not smoked since. My children were extremely upset - I was so weak I could not do anything without help for days. If I tried to walk I would fall down.
Well here I am years later on oxygen 24/7, do everything (but slowly) including taking care of my 89 year old mother. Even though I am very slow I'm still here and plan to be for a long time yet. The only thing missing are my cigarettes. I no longer miss them but think about them once in a while, but then remember how it felt on the breathing machine and it scares me to death!
I hope all you smokers will quit before you wake up strapped down on a breathing machine and watch your family crying around you."
"I was born with bronchial asthma and have never been able to move very fast or get into strenuous sports or activities. I started smoking when I was 12 years old by stealing my Grandpa's Camels. I always loved smoking and no matter what the doctors told me I wanted my cigarettes. I always had a nagging cough and was sick pretty often with upper respiratory infections. Every time I went to the doctor he would tell me to quit smoking - but not me. I would cough my brains out and as soon as I stopped for a while I would light up again. This had been going on all my life and I was getting more and more short of breath. At 56 years old I was finally put on a nebulizer and inhalers, but still I did not stop!
On September 13, 2001 (right after 9/11 which caused this attack) I had to call 911 because I could not breathe. They stabilized me in the ER and then was sent home with more inhalers. The very next day I was lighting a cigarette and the same thing happened again - could not breathe. Thank God my daughter was there! Called 911 again and was Life Flighted to a hospital in a larger city some 60 miles away. I was put on a respirator and after 17 days of not being awake, I woke up to find my kids around me and found out I had been given last rites! I started having panic attacks because I could not stand the breathing machine. I kept telling them to take it off, but they said I would not live if they did. Against everyone's opinion and advice it was taken off and I was sent home on Hospice care, oxygen tanks and morphine. I have not smoked since. My children were extremely upset - I was so weak I could not do anything without help for days. If I tried to walk I would fall down.
Well here I am years later on oxygen 24/7, do everything (but slowly) including taking care of my 89 year old mother. Even though I am very slow I'm still here and plan to be for a long time yet. The only thing missing are my cigarettes. I no longer miss them but think about them once in a while, but then remember how it felt on the breathing machine and it scares me to death!
I hope all you smokers will quit before you wake up strapped down on a breathing machine and watch your family crying around you."
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