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[Guest guest]

Hi all...I guess it's time to let the cat out of the bag. I know

what you are all gonna think with my asthma and all...and that's

partly what prompted me to take this step. I've never mentioned it

before but I smoke, or I should say **used** to smoke. Well today I

am proud to say that I've quit smoking...it's been 5 days.

 

I've always prided myself on doing things healthy. Except for

occasional chicken and fish, I haven't eaten any other meat in about

12 years. I eat healthy, I take my vitamins...basically always

considered myself to be actively taking part in my life and health.

I know I was fooling myself. The thing is, with my asthma, I've been

concentrating lately too much on what herbs to take to help with my

latest bout. I've been drinking lots of water, doing extensive

research on various natural remedies...all the while with a

cigarette in my hand. Pathetic huh? I've gotten to the point of

using my inhaler just so that I could smoke a cigarette. Well I

guess my body was throwing signals at me in leaps and bounds, I just

chose to ignore them.

 

I know it's only been 5 days, but I feel this is a great

accomplishment for me. If I can make it past those first few days, I

can make it for the rest of my life. I really feel great. My asthma

is still bugging me a little, nothing at all like it was last week

though. I think I'm past the emergency room stage. I've also been

taking Lobelia, which is not only good for asthma, but it's also a

smoking cessation herb. Along with the Lobelia, I've also made

Garlic and Acidophilus part of my daily routine.

 

What a difference quitting has made. Not just in my breathing...but

in my sense of taste, my sense of smell...errrmmm...good AND bad,

lol. I've cut back drastically on the medications I've been taking.

 

I did some research on the albuterol I take. My pharmacist once told

me that I was addicted to the inhaler. I began putting it across the

bedroom so I had to physically get up to use it, at which point I

often realized that I really didn't need it, it was just habit. My

pulmonary doctor told me that albuterol was NOT addictive. Well,

whatever she says, but I found that the life of my inhaler lasted

MUCH longer by keeping it across the room. Last night I read that

another way albuterol is so addictive is because with each use, it

actually DAMAGES your lungs, making you actually use it more and

more frequently.

 

One other thing I've noticed, which my pulmonary doc also disagrees

with, is that my asthma is always at it's worst when I have my

period. Two years ago, several months in a row, I was in the ER. One

time I was there and the nurse asked me for my last date of my

period, I told her that I was currently on it...then it dawned on

me. EVERY time I went to the ER, every time they asked that

question, my answer was always the same. The time I was on a

respirator I was also on it. I remember the first moment I woke up,

I asked the nurse for a tampon. I guess it's hormones. I dunno...has

anybody ever heard of this?

 

Ok, now I'm starting to ramble..I'm getting tired from the melatonin

I took. My sleep habits are all out of whack, both from the quitting

thing plus I worked odd hours this weekend.

 

Kim

5 days, 37 minutes and 13 seconds smoke free.

 

126 cigarettes not smoked.

$29.69 and 23 hours of your life saved.

 

Your quit date: 10/26/2002